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 10 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1891
Letter, 1891, Windsor, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Hoping to meet Tovey and outlining his forthcoming plans. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 21 January 1892
Letter, 21 January 1892, Windsor, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to work on the 'Airs', wishing Tovey well and advice on preserving his health. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Cecilia Warre Cornish, 30 May 1883
Letter, 30 May 1883, Eton, Cecilia Warre Cornish to Sophie Weisse. Inviting Miss. Weisse and Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Cecilia Warre Cornish, 02 April 1901
Letter, 2 April 1901, Windsor, Cecilia Warre Cornish to Sophie Weisse. Expressing delight at Tovey's success in Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from F. Warre Cornish, 24 October 1915
Letter, 24 October 1915, Windsor, F. Warre Cornish to Sophie Weisse. News of F. W. Cornish, praising the playing of Tovey and Henschel. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1889
Letter, [1889], Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Outlining themes of String quartets. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Looking at Beethoven's 'Eroica'. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1889
Letter, [1889], Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Donald and his family and a discussion of a string quartet movement. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 October 1889
Letter, 25 October 1889, Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of a visit to Leeds with a Mr. and Mrs. Newall and of the concerts they saw there. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 November 1892
Letter, [November 1892], Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering note for some of Tovey's compositions, including a violin quartet. Holograph signed.