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 Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 October 1902
Letter, 30 October 1902, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Clarifying analytical programme notes for the Meiningen orchestra. Holograph signed, L145 - 149 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 November 1902
Letter, 2 November 1902, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description of the proofs of the Meiningen concert programmes. Holograph signed, L145 - 149 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 November 1902
Letter, 15 November 1902, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description of the final draft of analytical programme notes for Meiningen concerts. Holograph signed, L145 - 149 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 November 1903
Letter, 23 November 1903, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description of concerts and covering note for an essay on concerto form. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [1900], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph signed.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Concerned with correct advertising and dealings with the press. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Sir William Henry Hadow from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1910
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.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1902
Postcard, 3 November 1902, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concerned with the layout of the Meiningen concert programmes. Holograph signed, L145 - L149 sewn together.