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 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 Robert Calverley Trevelyan from B. J. Simmons Co., 14 October 1939
Letter, 14 October 1939, London, B. J. Simmons & Co to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning the storage and ownership of the costumes for ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript copy.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932
Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Enclosing estimates for props, and plans to arrange a meeting. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932
Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Discussing the possibilities for scenery that ' The Ariadne ' produces, discussing Ricketts fee for designing scenes, and a comment on the quality of drama in the writing, inviting Tovey to dinner in a post script. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932
Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Discussion of materials for the models , and informing Trevelyan that Ricketts assistant Johnstone is coming to Edinburgh and an estimate for the cost of work on the props and models. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Percy Such, 30 April 1919
Letter, 30 April 1919, London, Percy Such to Robert Trevelyan. Asking if Tovey has shown his opera score to Beecham, who is in Edinburgh looking out for English works. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey and Robert Calverey Trevelyan from W Clarkson, 15 March 1929
Letter, 15 March 1929, London, W. Clarkson To [ Donald Tovey and R. C. Trevelyan]. Concerning the price of wig hire for the ' Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c 1928
Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Donald Tovey. Details of a meeting with Hedmount who disliked plans for scenery, and news that Ricketts is looking after an ill friend. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Emily Ritchie, c 1929
Letter, [n.y], Emily Ritchie to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on the success of his opera. Holograph signed.