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 6 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Percy Allen, 09 October 1934
Letter 9 October 1934, London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. A discussion of Music degree students and methods of teaching an examining. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Granville Ransome Bantock from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 November 1922
Letter, 13 November 1922, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Granville Bantock. Discussion of University examinations and two particular students. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 May 1895
Letter, 9 May 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's busy schedule and University music exams. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1898
Letter, 19 May 1898, Littlehampton, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's revision for exams. Typescript copy, incomplete, of L497.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1898
Letter, 19 May 1898, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's revision for exams. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 July 1898
Letter, 1 July 1898, Surrey, Donld Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's Viva examination in Latin. Holograph signed.