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 Eda Levin from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 November 1928
Letter, 2 November 1928, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Eda Levin. Offering advice for the formation of a choral society. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Ernest Walker from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 October 1919
Letter, 8 October 1919, Edinburgh Donald Tovey to Ernest Walker. Covering note for list of members of the Reid orchestra and letter from Lord Murray. Dictated signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1935
Letter, [1935], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Concerning the resignation of the leader of the Reid Orchestra. Holograph, signature missing.
Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 February 1932
Letter, 23 February 1932, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Lee Ashton. Explanation for resignation from the International Society of Musicians. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mrs. Baily from [ Endeaelum], 16 December 1941
Letter, 16 December 1941, Edinburgh, [ Endeaelum] to Mrs. Baily. Answering a query concerning a Canticulum that was sung at club meetings when Tovey was present. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. V. Rushforth, 21 April 1936
Letter, 21 April 1936, Edinburgh, F. V. Rushforth to Donald Tovey. Covering note for photos of the Reid orchestra, congratulations on the performance and news of Rushforth's daughter in Munich. Holograph signed, with envelope containing two photo's of the Reid Orchestra and one of Donald Tovey.
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.
Letter to Unknown from Rev David Bruce Nicol, 08 November 1920
Letter, 8 November 1920, Edinburgh, D. Bruce Nicol to Unknown. Requesting that the recipient introduce Bruce Nicol to Tovey to advise on plans to start a musical association. Holograph signed.