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 17 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 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, 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.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 30 July 1907
Letter, 30 July 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. A speech for Minos, part of the script of The Bride of Dionysus. Holograph.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 31 July 1907
Letter, 31 July 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Detailed plans and notes for the script of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 21 September 1907
Letter, 21 September 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Suggestion in chart form for the ensemble and comments on the progress of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 27 September 1907
Letter, 27 September 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. A proposed correction for Act II scene I, and detailed plans for the opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 03 September 1907
Letter, 3 September 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter, discussing alterations to ' The Bride of Dionysus' script. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 10 September 1908
Letter, 10 September 1908, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Suggestions for improvements of Act 1 of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.