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 49 Collections and/or Records:
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 John Herbert Foulds from Dame Emma Maud MacCarthy, c1923
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud MacCarthy to John Foulds. Discussing the possibility of performing Foulds' work. Holograph signed, incomplete, see also Maud Foulds.
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, 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 Mrs. Tovey from Emily Ritchie, 08 December 1928
Letter, 8 December 1928, London, Emily Ritchie to Mrs. Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on an 'enchanting' performance of a Haydn work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mrs Wallace from Sir Donald Franicis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], [Surrey], Donald Tovey to Mrs Wallace. Thanking Mrs Wallace for her hospitality and describing a performance of "School for Scandal". Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Robin Legge Esq. from Augner Ltd., 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, Augner Ltd. to Robin Legge Esq.. Praising the work of a composer and musician [Tovey], enclosing reviews of the latest performances of his works and a prospectus of the Chelsea concerts, and expressing the hope that the artist will be supported by the English public. Typescript incomplete, first page of letter, L2501.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey and Clara Tovey from Marga Denecke, c28 January 1923
Letter, 28 January 1923, London, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey and Clara Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance at The Wigmore hall and news of Adolf Busch. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Lascalles, 22 March 1922
Letter, 22 March 1922, London, A. Lascalles to Donald Tovey. Outlining plans to produce Foulds world requiem in St. Pauls, backed by the Prince of Wales. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Achille Simonetti, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Achille Simonetti to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance and essay on the Goldberg variations, arranging rehearsals for Simonetti and Mr. Blumenthal. Holograph signed, with annotation in blue ink by Miss Weisse.