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 5 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson and Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1925
Letter, [1925], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson and Lord Murray. Concerning a conductors fee for Tovey, when conducting the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936
Letter, [1936], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on the Reid choir and orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edith F Ewart, 25 December 1922
Letter, 25 December 1922, London, Mrs. Ewart to Donald Tovey. Christmas greetings and a description of the progress of the Penicuik and district orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Thomas Busby, 25 December 1918
Letter, 25 December 1918, London, Thomas Busby to Donald Tovey. A classification of orchestra players as agreed by the National Orchestral union, praise for Tovey's idea of establishing an orchestra and suggestions for the running and administration of the orchestra.. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [C. V. J], 10 March 1922
Postcard, 10 March 1922, London, [C. V. J] to Donald Tovey. Discussing the King of Prussia and the London Philharmonic orchestra. Holograph signed, stamped.