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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1912
Letter, 3 November 1912, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Emphasising that music should be a faculty, not part of an arts faculty. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 March 1934
Letter, 26 March 1934, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of two pupils success in the degree examinations, and one pupils interfering mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on papers, acoustic class and press photographers. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mr Burr from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr Burr. Covering note for a list. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from James Watt, 29 August 1928
Letter, 29 August 1928, Edinburgh, James Watt to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the plans for Miss. M. A. Weisse's house, and discussion of her inter vivos trust. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Taylor, 20 May 1923
Letter, 20 May 1923, Edinburgh, William Taylor to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of letters that have arrived for him while he has been away and a discussion of the Sunday concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Percy Carter Buck from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Percy Carter Buck. Discussion of the music degree including discussion of examinations and a merge with Arts courses. Holograph.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 September 1915
Letter, [1 September 1915], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Edinburgh University senate meetings, the difficulty of arranging leave, thoughts on Tovey's position during the war and the status of the music faculty during war. Holograph.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 May 1922
Letter, [May 1922], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's wife's recovery, details of forthcoming engagements and discussion of the status of the music faculty within the University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse . News that the University has agreed to Tovey's Sunday concerts and of the University musical society and the Reid Orchestra, criticism of an article by A. C. Benson, Necks illness. Holograph signed.