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 347 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Alfred Richter from Joseph Joachim, 19 May 1902
Letter, 19 May 1902, London, Joseph Joachim to Alfred Richter. Introducing Tovey as an ' excellent young musician' with a wide breadth of music knowledge. Typescript copy, letter ripped at centre fold line.
Letter to Alfred Richter from Joseph Joachim, 19 May 1902
Letter, 19 May 1902, London, Joseph Joachim to Alfred Richter. introducing Tovey as an ' excellent young musician' with a wide breadth of musical knowledge. Ms. Transcript, by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Arthur Melville Clark from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 June 1936
Letter, 23 June 1936, London, Donald Tovey to Arthur Melville Clark. Describing the type of article that will be produced. Transcript.
Letter to Arthur Melville Clark from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 July 1936
Letter, 1 July 1936, London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arthur Melville Clark. Describing the type of article that will be produced. Transcript.
Letter to Charles de Sousy Ricketts from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, c1928
Letter, [n.d], London, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Ricketts. Enclosing the libretto of the ' Bride of Dionysus' and arranging a meeting with Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Charles Guthrie from H. Middleton, 30 April 1929
Letter, 30 April 1929, London, H. Middleton to Charles Guthrie. Discussing the success of ' The Bride of Dionysus' and Tovey's greatness. Ms. Transcript.
Letter to Clara Tovey from Helen Christian Sutherland, c 26 May 1930
Letter, 26 May [1930], London, Helen Sutherland to Clara Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance of Beethoven and Bach and praising Tovey's contribution to music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Wallace from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], [London], Donald Tovey to Clara Wallace. Apologising for not visiting and accepting an invitation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Douglas Dickson from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 30 January 1943
Letter, 30 January 1943, London, Adrian Boult to Douglas Dickson. Discussion of a scholarship in memory of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Alan Frank, 21 September 1950
Letter, 21 September 1950, London, Alan Frank to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, on black and white photograph of Chateau de Beloeil.