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 6 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Hubert James Foss from A. M. Powell, c 02 December 1942
Letter, 2 December [n.y], Kent, A. M. Powell to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of the whereabouts of some of Tovey's letters. 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 Giles Whittaker, 26 November 1941
Letter, 26 November 1941, Glasgow, William Giles Whittaker to Hubert Foss. Enclosing Letters from Tovey in response to Foss's advertisement. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 21 August 1928
Letter, 21 August 1928, Strasbourg, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Concerning Tovey's dedication of 'The Art of the Fugue' to Schweitzer, enclosing a copy of Schweitzer's book and thanking Tovey for collaborating on the work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Sandord Terry, c 12 April 1920
Letter, 12 April [n.y], Pitfodels, Charles Terry to Donald Tovey. A message for Tovey from Mandyczewski, and news of the progress of a volume by Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Geoffrey Parratt, 06 September 1929
Letter, 6 September 1929, Woking, Geoffrey Parratt to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send letters to his sisters direct, offering typing services and informing Tovey that Edward Arnold is keen to hear of any progress. Holograph signed.