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 49 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Anne Marol, 18 March 1952
Letter, 18 March 1952, Pretoria, Anne Marol to Mary Grierson. Thanking Grierson for sending some music for the Johannesburg Municipal Orchestra to perform. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Fanny Davies, 09 October 1924
Letter, 9 October 1924, London, Fanny Davies to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Davies has sent of a Mozart mss. to Edinburgh, asking about the venue of a forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Margaret Read, 15 November 1952
Letter, 13 November 1952, Margaret Read to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, requesting a copy of Tovey's cello concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Fritz Busch from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 October 1937
Letter, 3 November 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Fritz Busch. Requesting that Fritz Busch let Sir Donald Francis Tovey know when Sir Donald Francis Tovey's packet of B- minor mass continuo for organ arrives, and notes on the continuo. Typescript copy.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 May 1919
Letter, 6 May 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Requesting that Grierson send Tovey a score, so he can copy the bassoon part. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, [1930], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Request to send orchestral parts to Rontgen in Holland. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1933
Letter, January 1933, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Points of orchestration for piece by Dvorak. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 June 1936
Letter, 6 June 1936, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Requesting scores. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Note informing of Tovey's finding an oboe part. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Advice for orchestrating a concert. Holograph signed.