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 7 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 22 July 1908
Letter, 22 July 1908, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to inform Speyer of his time of arrival and arrangements for a concert programme to be printed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 16 August 1908
Letter, 16 August 1908, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Expressing disappointment at not seeing Tovey, news of Soldat's solos for a forthcoming concert and asking for Tovey's advice on the programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 22 July 1909
Letter, 22 July 1909, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Outlining a concert programme and asking Tovey's opinion on it. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 13 January 1910
Letter, 13 January 1910, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Outlining plans for two pupils of Miss Fullinger to play at a concert at the Bechstein Hall, asking Tovey to accompany them, news of the death of Rudolph von der Seyen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 18 July 1911
Letter, 18 July 1911, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. News that Lord Plymouth will join the Committee of the Classical Concert Society, requesting a final decision on a Bach concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 29 July 1911
Letter, 29 July 1911, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey if he would consider playing the Continuo part in a Bach concert. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1910
Postcard, 9 April 1910, Hertfordshire, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Criticism of concert programmes. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.