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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mr. Lodge from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 April 1918
Letter, 12 April 1918, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mr. Lodge. Report of years expenses and finances. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 24 August 1924
Letter, 24 August 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that a gift of money is in the bank, and asking Tovey to sort out financial details. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 20 October 1924
Letter, 30 October 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Hoping Tovey will agree to a plan proposed by Mrs. Fernald, news of further financial support. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 03 February 1925
Letter, 3 February 1925, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a meeting with Friedberg, and that Gould is to increase her financial support to Tovey and news from Santa Barbara. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Boston, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Offering Tovey financial support and describing a concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Campbell, 05 April 1929
Letter, 5 April 1929, Edinburgh, George Campbell to Donald Tovey. Receipt for Tovey's cheque of thirty pounds for a train journey from London. Holograph signed, with receipt to the London Midland and Scottish Railway company, 22 x 15cm.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. M. Abel, 12 April 1922
Letter, 12 April 1922, London, H. M. Abel to Donald Tovey. Dealing with Tovey's finances and bank administration. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c 28 August 1930
Letter, 28 August [n.y], Prague, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Discussing financial difficulties, Tovey's German publisher and Tovey's planned concert in Prague of ' Euryanthe '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Finnie McEwen, c01 March 1922
Letter, 1 March 1922, Berwickshire, Robert Finnie McEwen to Donald Tovey. Describing McEwen's engagements, explaining why he can not attend concerts in Edinburgh, details of McEwen's financial situation, and his feelings about music patronage. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 October 1894
Letter, 1 October 1894, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Talk of Tovey's finances, Tovey's plans for vacation work and news of Tovey's composition work. Photocopy of Holograph signed.