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 7 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Corbett-Smith, 27 February 1921
Letter, 27 February 1921, Edinburgh, A. Corbett - Smith to Donald Tovey. On behalf of A. Corbett - Smith's wife thanking Tovey for the opportunity to play with the Reid orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Schwiller, 06 December 1928
Letter, 6 December 1928, Edinburgh, Isabelle Schwiller to Donald Tovey. Discussing her time spent with Tovey and her plans to hear the Reid orchestra before she leaves Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Cowan, c15 March 1920
Letter, 15 March [n.y], Edinburgh, Maud Cowan to Donald Tovey. Apologising for not attended extra practices of the Reid orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pere W. Hulbert, 18 January 1922
Letter, 18 January 1922, Edinburgh, Pere W. Hulbert to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for an invitation to a Reid concert rehearsal. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir James Steuart Wilson, c 01 March 1931
Letter, 1 March 1931, Edinburgh, Steuart Wilson to Donald Tovey. Description of rehearsals, and plans for performances. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. Wainsupp, 04 March 1931
Letter, 4 March 1931, Edinburgh, W. Wainsupp to Donald Tovey. Sympathising with Tovey's confinement due to illness assuring Tovey that the Reid Orchestra will perform well without him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 June 1924
Letter, 5 June 1924, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Lord Murray's capable management of the Reid orchestra. Holograph signed.