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 14 Collections and/or Records:
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, 01 October 1935
Letter, 1 October 1935, London, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Miss. Weisses brother is dying and asking for news of Tovey's whereabouts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 March 1904
Letter, 19 March 1904, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concern for Speyers tonsillitis, discussion of musical autographs. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.
Letter to Lady Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, c 01 December 1935
Letter, [December 1935], London, Albert Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Remembering time spent at Lady Tovey's, concern over her husbands hands and good wishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Tovey from Helene Schweitzer, 15 December 1935
Letter, 15 December 1935, London, Helene Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Expressing concern over the health of Tovey's hands, reminiscing over happy times the Tovey's and Schweitzer's have shared. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Middleton, 16 October 1939
Letter, 16 October 1939, London, A. Middleton to Donald Tovey. Concern over Tovey's arthritis, informing Tovey that his nephew has recently moved to Edinburgh and asking if Tovey will make their acquaintance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 September 1932
Letter, 23 September 1932, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's illness, Radio broadcasts and the death of Rontgen and Tovey's obituary for him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c 1928
Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Donald Tovey. Details of a meeting with Hedmount who disliked plans for scenery, and news that Ricketts is looking after an ill friend. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Holst, c07 January 1930
Letter, 7 January 1930, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey well after his recovery from illness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Holst, c14 November 1930
Letter, 14 November 1930, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Declining to accept an offer of work from Tovey because Holst feels unworthy and he is required to do as little as possible by his doctor. Holograph signed.