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 18 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1931
Letter, 14 November 1931, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Description of Tovey's ideas of university musical education, comparison of Edinburgh degrees with that of Oxford and Cambridge. Typescript copy.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1912
Letter, 3 November 1912, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Emphasising that music should be a faculty, not part of an arts faculty. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 March 1934
Letter, 26 March 1934, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of two pupils success in the degree examinations, and one pupils interfering mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 01 June 1939
Letter, 1 June 1939, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Covering letter for honours degree examinations in music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915
Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on Reid concerts and suggestions concerning Grierson's Music doctorate. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 18 June 1898
Letter, 18 June 1898, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Tovey. News of Tovey, suggesting he would have got a better class of degree had he worked harder. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 February 1934
Letter, 23 February 1934, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at being awarded a doctorate from Edinburgh University, and describing rehearsals of Tovey's variations in Bristol. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. H. Bond, 03 May 1923
Letter, 3 May 1923, London, C. H. Bond to Donald Tovey. Asking for advice on what is a suitable group of subjects to select for an honours M. A. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from D. Emrys Evans, 12 January 1931
Letter, 12 January 1931, Bangor, D. Emrys Evans to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter concerning music degrees, and music departments in Universities. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 16 November 1934
Letter, 16 November 1934, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing problems with concert dates and asking about the award ceremony of the doctorate of music at Edinburgh University. Holograph signed.