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 Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 April 1910
Letter, 16 April 1910, Dorking, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concerning the Classical concert series. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.
Letter to Lady Fisher ( Cecilia Warre Cornish ) from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1918
Letter, 1918, Dorking, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lady Fisher ( Cecilia Warre Cornish ). Acceptance of an invitation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1932
Letter, 3 November 1932, Dorking, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Criticism of a broadcast of Grierson's cadenza's, and advice on improvements. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c05 September 1900
Postcard, 5 September [n.y], Hornbury, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of Tovey's forthcoming plans. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 September 1908
Postcard, 8 September 1908, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on what Tovey is doing and Tovey's view of French academics. Typescript copy.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 September 1910
Postcard, 6 September 1910, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Eton, and a note on Wagner. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 May 1921
Postcard, 18 May 1921, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing delight at saving a scherzo. Holograph signed.