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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Theodore Holst, c20 February 1924
Letter, 20 February 1924, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Declining an honorary degree, but thanking Tovey for the honour. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 14 March 1933
Letter, 14 March 1933, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Confirming that Adrian Boult will be happy to accept his honorary degree from Edinburgh University. Holograph signed, written on British Broadcasting Company headed paper.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, 16 January 1927
Letter, 16 January 1927, London, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Suggesting a candidate for an honorary degree from Edinburgh University music department. Holograph signed.