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 17 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Cecil C. Baines, 02 September 1952
Letter, 2 September 1952, Kent, Cecil C. Baines to Mary Grierson. Covering note for a ms. of Tovey's work and recollections of Tovey, while he was in a nursing home in 1916. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Denis James Matthews, 20 April 1952
Letter, 20 April 1952, London, Denis Matthews to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography on Tovey, and pointing out some mistakes in the text. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Jean. M. Mill, 10 March 1952
Letter, 10 March 1952, Dumbartonshire, Jean. M. Mill to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, suggesting that the French quotations in the book be translated. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Oxford University Press, 18 January 1952
Letter, 18 January 1952, London, A. Peacock, for Geoffrey Cumberlege, Oxford University Press to Mary Grierson. Sending Grierson an early copy of her book on Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 03 December 1941
Letter, 3 December 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Agreeing to write down recollections of Tovey, enclosing a letter from Tovey, and memories of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Covering letter for letters from Tovey, informing Foss of the wealth of material Baily has on the Bride of Dionysus, suggesting she write down her reminiscences of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Whittaker, c 07 February 1941
Letter, 7 February [n.y], Buckinghamshire, Margaret Whittaker to Hubert Foss. Putting Foss in touch with a Miss. M. Knottley to discuss Northlands for his biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from William Brocklesby Wordsworth, 16 December 1941
Letter, 16 December 1941, Surrey, W. B. Wordsworth to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss that Wordsworth has three letters from Tovey, which appeared in an article written by Wordsworth in ' Music and Letters'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Clara Tovey from Stewart Deas, c 20 December 1901
Letter, [20 December 1901], Buckinghamshire, Stewart Deas to Clara Tovey. Suggesting to Lady Tovey that a book of Tovey's letters would be a good idea. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mary Grierson from Alexander Craig Aitken, 25 February 1952
Letter, 25 February 1952, Edinburgh, Alexander Craig Aitken to Mary Grierson. Covering note for a list of suggestions for the second edition of Grierson's biography on Tovey. Holograph signed.