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 5 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to from, c 27 December 1920
Letter, 17 December [n.y.], Dresden, Walter Petret. Thanking Tovey for sending an analysis of a symphony and informing Tovey that Petret will send him a score. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 09 October 1922
Letter, 9 October 1922, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for material for a forthcoming concert and inviting Tovey to play in Dresden. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 13 September 1923
Letter, 13 September 1923, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for Tovey to play at a large concert in Dresden and outlining the financial crisis in Germany. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gossfried Muller, 10 June 1931
Letter, 10 June 1931, Dresden, Gossfried Muller to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his musical instruction and tutoring. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Klaus Tessier, 22 August 1925
Letter, 22 August 1925, Dresden, Klaus Tessier to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans to perform Tovey's symphony with Busch in Dresden. Holograph signed.