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Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)

 Person

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 5 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 13 September 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L804
Scope and Contents

Letter, 13 September 1923, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for Tovey to play at a large concert in Dresden and outlining the financial crisis in Germany. Typescript signed.

Dates: 13 September 1923

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Veiel, 27 December 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1856
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 December 1923, Stuttgart, Fritz Veiel to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial situation in Germany, congratulating Tovey on a performance in Dresden and thanking Tovey for sending journals. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 December 1923

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Veiel, 11 July 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1857
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 July 1923, Stuttgart, Fritz Veiel to Donald Tovey. Explaining the economic crisis in Germany and arranging for Tovey to stay in Veiel's convalescent home in Germany. Holograph signed.

Dates: 11 July 1923

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes Rontgen, 19 January 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1536
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 January 1924, Johannes Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a Dohnanyi score, describing a performance of a work by Hindemith and discussing the financial state of Germany. Holograph signed.

Dates: 19 January 1924

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 11 September 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1908
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 September 1922, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. News of Miss. Weisse's time in Bad Nauheim, discussion of the German mark in comparison to the English pound, and plans for leaving Germany. Holograph signed.

Dates: 11 September 1922