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 8 Collections and/or Records:
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 Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 November 1936
Letter, 20 November 1936, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Discussion of Busoni's intellect, and covering note for cadenza's. Typescript copy.
Letter to Geoffrey [Parratt] from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 October 1924
Letter, 9 October 1924, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Geoffrey [Parratt]. Notes on research Tovey has done and ideas he has put together for a book. Ms. Transcript, by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 February 1927
Letter, 25 February 1927, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Hubert Foss. Request to edit work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sophie Weisse, 01 October 1941
Letter, 1 October 1941, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Commenting on an article written by Foss on Tovey, and reminiscing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mr Craxton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr Craxton. Covering note for articles to be published. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Havergal, c 25 February 1933
Letter, 25 February 1933, Edinburgh, Henry Havergal to Donald Tovey. Admitting Tovey's influence over Havergal's analysis. Holograph signed.
Letter to Walter Willson Cobbett from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, [1930], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Walter Willson Cobbett. Informing of the commencement of a work on Brahms. Holograph signed.