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 16 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 May 1934
Letter, 11 May 1934, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Discussing plans for Schweitzer's Edinburgh Gifford lectures and concerts. Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Annie Freidberg from Richard G. Appel, 02 November 1925
Letter, 2 November 1925, Boston, Richard G. Appel to Annie Freidberg. Asking if Tovey would be available to give a lecture at Boston public library. Typescript copy.
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Arthur Quimby, 12 August 1926
Letter, 12 August 1926, Arthur Quimby to Annie Friedberg. Enclosing a signed contract from Tovey and informing Friedberg that Tovey will speak on ' The development of modern music'. Typescript copy, torn.
Letter to ['Dear Sir'] from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to ['Dear Sir']. Tovey explaining what he will lecture on and how he plans to illustrate his lecture. Typescript, may refer to a course of lectures to be given at The Royal Institution.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Margaret. N. O Baily, 25 May 1952
Letter, 25 May 1952, Edinburgh, Margaret. N. O Baily to Mary Grierson. Advertising lectures on opera, suggesting the University music faculty do some preparatory festival work, praising Grierson's biography on Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Paul Adolf Hirsch from Hubert James Foss, 17 January 1942
Letter, 17 January 1942, Cambridge, Hubert Foss to Paul Hirsch. Information on a lecture given by Tovey at Cambridge on May 6 1938. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 11 November 1934
Letter, 11 November 1934, Alsace, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his hospitality, describing organ concerts in Lausanne and London and Schweitzer's work on the Gifford lectures. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 02 November 1935
Letter, 2 November 1935, London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Schweitzer's plans to come to Edinburgh to give a lecture. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, c 01 November 1935
Letter, [November 1935], London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to confirm Schweitzer's engagements in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Joseph Dent, 26 November 1937
Letter, 26 November 1937, New York, Edward Dent to Donald Tovey. Agreeing to meet Tovey's son, details of lecture programme, questioning Tovey on studies of Schubert's opera. Holograph signed.