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 7 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 September 1932
Letter, 23 September 1932, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's illness, Radio broadcasts and the death of Rontgen and Tovey's obituary for him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Franz Theodor Reizenstein, 03 April 1937
Letter, 3 April 1937, London, Franz Reizenstein to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's article in 'The Listener', and discussion of broadcasts and publications concerning Hindemith. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 03 November 1936
Letter, 3 November 1936, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Explaining why Tovey's concerto with Casals is not being broadcast by the B.B.C. Holograph signed, written on British Broadcasting Company headed paper.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The B.B.C., 03 August 1939
Letter, 3 August 1939, London, The B. B. C to Donald Tovey. Details of the duration time of the National lecture and a request that Tovey send a resume of the argument and title of the lecture. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The B.B.C, 24 August 1939
Letter, 24 August 1939, London, The B. B. C to Donald Tovey. Arranging to postpone the date of the National Lecture until the beginning of January because of Tovey's ill health. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The B.B.C, 16 October 1939
Letter, 16 October 1939, London, The B.B.C to Donald Tovey. Details of a further postponement of the National Lecture. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Trevor Hawey, 03 June 1936
Letter, 3 June 1936, London, Trevor Hawey to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending the score and parts of Hymn tunes, and details of the broadcast of a dirge. Holograph signed.