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 34 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Charles de Sousy Ricketts from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 09 November 1928
Letter, 9 November 1928, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Ricketts. Agreeing to pay Ricketts three hundred pounds for his work on the ' Bride of Dionysus' sets. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Charles Guthrie Esq. from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 29 January 1929
Letter, 29 January 1929, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Guthrie Esq.. Discussion of the performance of the opera and the financial and legal considerations. Typescript copy.
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 Ralph Vaughan Williams, 27 September 1950
Letter, 27 September 1950, Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Explaining the reasons that Vaughan Williams asked Tovey for advice, informing Grierson of Tovey's comments when Vaughan Williams suggested Grierson should succeed him as Professor at Edinburgh. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ralph Vaughan Williams, 11 October 1950
Letter, 11 October 1950, Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Expressing the hope that Grierson will describe Tovey's help to Vaughan Williams. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ralph Vaughan Williams, c 28 February 1952
Letter, 28 February [n.y], Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's book and pointing out an error concerning Mona Benson. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 April 1910
Letter, 17 April 1910, Dorking, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Suggestions for concert programme. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from William Strecker, c1915
Letter, [n.d], William Strecker to Robert Trevelyan. Thanking Trevelyan for writing, discussion of Tovey's completion of the opera, offering help with the production of the opera, news that Strecker is tired of his imprisonment. Holograph signed, written on German Prisoner of War notepaper, with a postmark, Alexandra Palace.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elizabeth Trevelyan, c1911
Letter, [1911], Surrey, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to stop burdening Robert Trevelyan with work, as he is becoming anxious and overworked. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elizabeth Trevelyan, c 04 July 1913
Letter, 4 July [1913], Surrey, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey take Robert Trevelyan into his confidence, and elucidate his plans for the opera. Holograph signed.