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 98 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr. Jekyll from Sophie Weisse, 26 Sepember 1917
Letter, 26 Sepember 1917, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Dr. Jekyll. Discussions concerning Tovey's library, an estimated cost of the library and a suggestion that the library be donated to Balliol college, Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 09 August 1925
Letter, 9 August 1925, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Requesting information about the parts to Tovey's symphony for a performance in Dresden. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, c1934
Letter, [1934], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Explaining Miss. Weisses concern for Tovey's health and work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 28 June 1935
Letter, 28 June 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Concerning Tovey's ill health and expressing the feeling that she is being kept from Tovey by his wife. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 02 July 1935
Letter, 2 July 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Concerning Tovey's illness and his treatment and care and Miss. Weisse's feelings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 08 July 1935
Letter, 8 July 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Details of Miss. Weisse's journey to Bad Nauheim and enclosing a letter from Tovey's doctor. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 11 October 1935
Letter, 11 October 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Miss. Weisses brothers death, requesting that Grierson get a ticket for the Reid concert series and a description of Tovey's parents last years. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 02 January 1936
Letter, 2 January 1936, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Tovey's treatment and convalescence at Bath, suggesting that Tovey should smoke so he can have social interaction with other men. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 17 October 1937
Letter, 17 October 1937, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Requesting that Grierson place a garland of flowers and ribbons in Eton blue on Tovey's desk in the Music Classroom. Holograph signed.
Letter to [ Dr Mary Gardner Grierson ] from Sophie Weisse, c1935
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to [ Mary Grierson ]. Discussion of what Tovey should be given when he is ill, Bovril or chicken jelly. Holograph incomplete.