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 99 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Dame Ethel Mary Smyth, 02 February 1931
Letter, 2 February 1931, Woking, Ethel Smyth to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Smyth will turn up at a rehearsal if necessary, news that Smyth is suffering from influenza and is losing her voice. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from M. Perwick Jones, 09 March 1952
Letter, 9 March 1952, Surrey, M. Perwick Jones to Mary Grierson. News of Elisabeth Trevelyan's ill health and a transcript of a letter from Elizabeth Trevelyan to Mary Grierson, concerning Trevelyan's attempt to get a good review for Grierson's biography on Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 15 June 1932
Letter, 15 June 1932, London, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Asking Grierson how Tovey is and expressing concern about his health. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 28 June 1932
Letter, 28 June 1932, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Miss. Weisse expressing anxiety over Tovey's sanity and health, expressing distaste for the Wallace family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 12 February 1933
Letter, 12 February 1933, Rugby, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Describing the health of Tovey's son and suggesting that Miss. Weisse should take charge of him. 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, 26 June 1935
Letter, 26 June 1935, Suffolk, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Discussion of Tovey's health and his recent attack of breathlessness. 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.