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 4 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1937
Letter, 14 November 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Request that Dent should visit Tovey's son John. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Taylor, c1933
Letter, [1933], Edinburgh, William Taylor to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's sister-in-law's health. Holograph signed, incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 October 1920
Letter, 1 October 1920, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's wife and son and hopes for the future. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1921
Letter, [January 1921], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's wife and son, hopes for the New Year. Holograph signed.