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 8 Collections and/or Records:
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 M. R. B. Steffens, 12 August 1937
Letter, 12 August 1937, London, M. R. B. Steffens to Donald Tovey. Covering letter for 'pulls' for the plates of Tovey's sonata for two cellos and arranging to show Tovey the stock list of engraved plates. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Methuen Co, 18 January 1922
Letter, 18 January 1922, London, Methuen & co to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send some news of his book ' A life of Beethoven '. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Methuen Co, 24 April 1924
Letter, 24 April 1924, London, Methuen & Co to Donald Tovey. Requesting a second time that Tovey send details of his progress on his ' Life of Beethoven'. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 09 June 1924
Letter, 9 June 1924, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey produce an appreciation and analysis of Brahms chamber works for orchestra for the Cyclopeadia. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Taylor, 11 May 1911
Letter, 11 May 1911, Edinburgh, William Taylor to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of anxious letters from his publishers requesting the return of proofs. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Willy Strecker, 21 July 1937
Letter, 21 July 1937, Mainz, Willy Strecker to Donald Tovey. Discussing Hindemith's book of music teaching and Tovey's planned meeting with it's American translator, Remi Gassmann also mentions the publication of Tovey's compositions. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 12 November 1912
Letter, 12 November 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has delivered proofs of his works for printing and advising on the difference of opinion and difficult situation between Tovey and another party. Typescript signed.