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Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)

 Person

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 4 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c27 June 1910

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L29
Scope and Contents

Letter, [27 June 1910], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Criticism of articles in The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Holograph in pencil.

Dates: c27 June 1910

Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L32
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1900], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1900

Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1905

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L33
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: c1905

Letter to Sir William Henry Hadow from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1910

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L77
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir William Henry Hadow. Tovey elucidating his differing view on fugues, after reviewing Hadow's work. Holograph unfinished.

Dates: c1910