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 Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey now has all the scores he requires and outlining the scores. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1892
Letter, [n.d], [Surrey], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of musical works owned by Tovey and those he would like to acquire. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1899
Letter, 14 November 1899, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Family news and list of musical works Tovey requires. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 December 1893
Letter, 19 December 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concerning Palestrina annotation and requesting that Miss. Weisse brings several scores to Moffat. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 March 1895
Postcard, 21 March 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of scores Tovey requires. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 October 1895
Postcard, 8 October 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Asking Miss Weisse to 'send off a trio'. Holograph signed.