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 5 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Corbett-Smith, 23 July 1921
Letter, 23 July 1921, London, A. Corbett-Smith to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey could offer Corbett - Smith's wife another engagement before November. 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.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Havergal, 02 September 1933
Letter, 2 September 1933, Edinburgh, Henry Havergal to Donald Tovey. News of Havergal's acceptance of a music post at Haileybury. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert G. Sprout, 09 June 1939
Letter, 9 June 1939, California, Robert G. Sprout to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to become visiting professor of music at the University of California for one year. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Johannes Röntgen, 06 July 1933
Letter, 6 July 1933, Canton De Vaud, Johannes Rontgen to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Rontgen has been invited to work as co-conductor of an orchestra in Czechoslavakia and thanking Tovey for attending Rontgen's wedding and gift. Holograph signed.