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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Jonathan Reeves, 29 January 1942
Letter, 29 January 1942, London, Jonathan Reeves to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of correspondence between Sir Hugh Allen and Tovey, the untidiness of his manuscripts, his work on Beethoven and Brahms and memories of the young Tovey with Miss. Weisse. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arnold Schering, 11 March 1925
Letter, 11 March 1925, Halle, Arnold Schering to Donald Tovey. Requesting a copy of Tovey's new edition of Bach's 'well tempered piano' for inclusion in the Bach yearbook which Shering publishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 19 November 1921
Letter, 19 November 1921, London, A. H. Fox Strangways to Donald Tovey. Asking that Tovey proof and return his ' excellent' article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. A. Scott, 01 April 1925
Letter, 1 April 1925, London, H. A. Scott to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to reduce his article on Haydn and expressing pleasure that Tovey has agreed to do an article on Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. A. Scott, 17 December 1924
Letter, 17 December 1924, London, H. A. Scott to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey when the Cyclopeadia may expect to have Tovey's article on Haydn, and apologising for making alternative arrangements for an author for the Brahms article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Imogen Holst, 16 January 1938
Letter, 16 January 1938, London, Imogen Holst to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey's permission to quote from a letter praising Holst's Hymn of Jesus, written to Gustav Holst, in a biography Imogen is writing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jonathon Reeves, 29 April 1924
Letter, 29 April 1924, London, Jonathon Reeves to Donald Tovey. Covering note for proofs for Tovey to check bar - references and music in a work. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, 25 March 1923
Letter, 25 March 1923, London, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey will read and criticise an article by Henschel. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Encyclopaedia Brittanica, 21 December 1905
Letter, 21 December 1905, The Encyclopaedia to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey arrange a meeting with Mr. Chisholm, and asking that Tovey pass on an article to Edward Dent. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Wally Passer, 20 January 1925
Letter, 20 January 1925, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Introducing Passer's son Kurt who is coming to England and news of Passer's translation work. Holograph signed.