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 46 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 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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Margaret. N. O Baily, 25 May 1952
Letter, 25 May 1952, Edinburgh, Margaret. N. O Baily to Mary Grierson. Advertising lectures on opera, suggesting the University music faculty do some preparatory festival work, praising Grierson's biography on Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
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 Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 March 1936
Letter, 16 March 1936, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Concerning sonatas in 14th volume of Venice Ms. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1931
Letter, 14 November 1931, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Description of Tovey's ideas of university musical education, comparison of Edinburgh degrees with that of Oxford and Cambridge. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 September 1931
Letter, 17 September 1931, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Requesting a copy of Dent's Fidelio. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1917
Letter, 9 April 1917, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description of new house and discussion of the Carnegie Musical publication. Holograph signed.
Letter to Geoffrey Cotsell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1931
Letter, [1931], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Geoffrey Cotsell. Advice on passing a sight reading examination. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from Geoffrey Cotsell.
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.