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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to G. W. Ballingall from J. A. Barlow, 23 April 1934
Letter, 23 April 1934, London, J. A. Barlow to G. W. Ballingall. Informing Ballingall that Tovey is being considered by the Prime Minister for a recommendation in the Birthday honours list. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 21 January 1935
Letter, 21 January 1935, Strasbourg, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood, informing Tovey that Schweitzer is going to see the newly discovered vaccination for yellow fever at the Pasteur institute, Paris. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 20 May 1939
Letter, 20 May 1939, Bordeaux, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood, askng Tovey to compose something for Schewitzer using Organ and orchestra together. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alexander Dunlop Lindsay, 18 January 1935
Letter, 18 January 1935, Oxford, A. D. Lindsay to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood. Ms. Transcript by Miss. Weisse, with letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Prestonkirk, Balfour to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 20 February 1935
Letter, 20 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood and discussing Rambert and the ballet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Joseph Dent, 08 February 1935
Letter, 8 February 1935, Cambridge, Edward Dent to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood, criticism of Tovey's analyses, enquiry about Tovey's health. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gordon Bottomley, c1935
Letter, [1935], Carnforth, Gordon Bottomley to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Maynard Liddell, c17 February 1935
Letter, 17 February 1935, Surrey, G. Liddell to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his Knighthood. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Maynard Liddell, 23 February 1937
Letter, 23 February 1937, Surrey, G. Liddell to Donald Tovey. Outlining an attempt to gain Royal support for Tovey's work. Holograph signed.