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 27 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to ( Aunt ) Jeanette Green from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 25 December 1908
Letter, [25 December 1908], Donald Tovey to ( Aunt ) Jeanette Green. Informing of the death of Aunt Bessie, consoling and sympathetic tone. Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 11 July 1940
Letter, 11 July 1940, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Clara Tovey. Expressing grief and sympathy after the death of Tovey. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 11 October 1935
Letter, 11 October 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Miss. Weisses brothers death, requesting that Grierson get a ticket for the Reid concert series and a description of Tovey's parents last years. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sophie Weisse, c1942
Letter, [n.d], Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Sending Foss a picture of Tovey, and describing Tovey's death as a tragedy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sophie Weisse, c1941
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Enclosing photographs of the Tovey Memorial rooms, expressing Weisse's grief. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Mabel Emily McCormick from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 04 April 1930
Letter, 4 April 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lady McCormick. Letter of condolences after the death of Lord McCormick. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Paget from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 February 1936
Letter, 20 February 1936, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mr. Paget. In sympathy after the death of Mr. Paget's mother. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Andersen Strecker, c1920
Letter, 1916 Feb 6, A Strecker to Donald Tovey. Anticipating press reviews of Tovey's concerts, informing Tovey that he is working on a new opera by Korngold and thanking Tovey for offering sympathy over the death of his son. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Antonia Speyer, 23 January 1934
Letter, 23 January 1934, Hertfordshire, Antonia Speyer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his sympathy over Edward Speyers death. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, 01 April 1930
Letter, 1 April 1930, Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. A response to Tovey's sympathy letter after the death of Arthur James Balfour. Holograph.