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 27 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Fanny Davies, 09 October 1924
Letter, 9 October 1924, London, Fanny Davies to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Davies has sent of a Mozart mss. to Edinburgh, asking about the venue of a forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.
letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1936
letter, 19 May 1936, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for forthcoming season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 December 1908
Letter, 17 December 1908, London, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Covering note for Concert programme notes. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Suggestions for a concert programme. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 June 1900
Letter, 14 June [n.y], London, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Arranging musicians for following seasons concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson and Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1926
Letter, [1926], London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mary Gardner Grierson and Lord Charles David Murray. Plans and finances for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1928
Letter, [1928], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for forthcoming charity concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 July 1929
Letter, 6 July 1929, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 December 1935
Letter, 1 December 1935, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Administration and plans for forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed, on notepaper headed 'Scott's Hotel, Langham Street '.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936
Letter, [1936], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.