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 256 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1929
Letter, 9 April 1929, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Covering letter for the score of "The Bride of Dionysus". Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 October 1935
Letter, 28 October 1935, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Discussing plans for performing in Edinburgh with Schweitzer at the McEwen and Usher hall. Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Charles Guthrie, 28 July 1925
Letter, 28 July 1925, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Annie Friedberg. Covering note for some press cuttings which Guthrie suggests may be used in. Holograph signed.
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 February 1925
Letter, 2 February 1925, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Annie Friedberg. Arrangement for U.S concerts. Ms. transcript.
Letter to Arthur Melville Clark from Sir Donald Francis Tovey,, 11 October 1937
Letter, 11 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arthur Melville Clark. Thanking Clark for editing a work, discussing musical scholarship. Typescript.
Letter to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan] from Florence Emily Barger, 23 November 1925
Letter, 23 November 1925, Edinburgh, Florence Barger to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan]. Informing 'Bessie' of Tovey's engagement to Minnie Wallace, discussing the engagement and news of Tovey . Holograph signed.
Letter to Charles Glover Barkla from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 October 1928
Letter, 7 October 1928, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Charles Glover Barkla. The teaching of music at Edinburgh University. Typescript signed.
Letter to Clara Tovey from Thea Hunter, 04 March 1941
Letter, 4 March 1941, Edinburgh, Thea Hunter to Clara Tovey. Describing Tovey's absence at Concert series as a tragedy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Daniel Duff from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 October 1937
Letter, 19 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Daniel Duff. Request for luminous paper, or gold leaf. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from Daniel Duff.
Letter to D.F.A. Fox from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 October 1938
Letter, 8 October 1938, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to D.F.A. Fox. Praising Fox's performance. Ms. transcript.