Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1940
Biography
Donald Francis Tovey was born at Eton on 17 July 1875. His father was an Assistant Master at Eton College. He was educated privately by the music and general teacher Miss Sophie Weisse (1851-1945) and later on studied under Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924) and Sir C. H. Parry (1848-1918). Tovey then won a music scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a BA, Classical honours, in 1898. As a pianist, a series of chamber music concerts followed in London, Berlin and Vienna where he played with Halle, Joachim, Hausmann, Casals, and other artists. He also composed. In 1914 he was appointed to the Reid Chair of Music at Edinburgh University in succession to Professor Niecks (1845-1924). As Professor he broadened the music curriculum by instituting classes in musical interpretation, orchestration, history and analysis, thorough-bass, score reading, and advanced counter-point and composition. Tovey also established and conducted the Reid Orchestra and organised an annual series of concerts. His musical compositions were in many forms including chamber music, symphony, grand opera and concerto, and probably the most famous was his opera The bride of Dionysus produced in Edinburgh in 1929. His literary publications include the six volumes of Essays in musical analysis (1935-1939), and A musician talks (1941). Tovey was knighted in 1935. Sir Donald Francis Tovey died on 10 July 1940.
Found in 62 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 03 June 1934
Letter, 3 June 1934, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Arranging a date for Casals to play in concert at Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Dame Ethel Mary Smythe, 14 June 1930
Letter, 14 June 1930, Woking, Ethel Smythe to Mary Grierson. Attempting to arrange a suitable date to perform a work called ' The Prison', . Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Lionel Tertis, 03 December 1930
Letter, 3 December 1930, Surrey, Lionel Tertis to Mary Grierson. Praising an orchestral performance, and expressing Tertis' enjoyment at playing with the orchestra, mentioning Boult's courage at suggesting a second performance and disappointment at Tovey's absence. Holograph signed.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 April 1908
Letter, 8 April 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Notes for concert programme. Holograph signed, pencil notes to accompany L170, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 April 1908
Letter, 21 April 1908, Cannes, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Plan for concert programme. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Friedrich Niecks from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c28 June 1900
Letter, 28 June [n.y], Donald Tovey to Friedrich Niecks. Offering to play a programmes of Niecks choosing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 June 1900
Letter, 14 June [n.y], London, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Arranging musicians for following seasons concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1925
Letter, 19 May 1925, Stuttgart, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Alterations to players and concert programmes for the coming season. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Instructions and plans for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1931
Letter, [1931], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestion that Frank Merrick should play a piece by John Foulds for a Reid concert and plans for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.