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 12 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 August 1929
Letter, 13 August 1928, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Informing Schweitzer that Tovey plans to dedicate his ' Kunst der Fugue' to him. Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Arnold Rose from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 July 1928
Letter, 19 July 1928, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arnold Rose. Introducing Mary Grierson. Holograph signed, written on "Cadenza for Brahms violin concerto" by Donald Tovey, with envelope.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 April 1935
Letter, 30 April 1935, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Request to translate a ballet by Dohnanyi, and note about Chisolm. Typescript copy.
Letter to H. A. Scott from [Jean Kennedy], 14 July 1939
Letter, 14 July 1939, Suffolk, [Jean Kennedy] to H. A. Scott. Informing Scott that Tovey is not well enough to revise his contributions to The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Typescript copy.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 October 1932
Letter, 24 October 1932, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of a book by Parry. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 October 1952
Letter, 25 October 1932, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Advice to Grierson about making up cadenzas. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1933
Letter, January 1933, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Points of orchestration for piece by Dvorak. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1938
Letter, 1938, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Hans Gals's discovery of a Haydn symphony in the Reid music library, and details of forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Miss Boyle from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 September 1931
Letter, 17 September 1931, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Miss Boyle. A criticism of Miss Boyle's musical work and of contemporary music in general. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Craxton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 December 1929
Letter, 31 December 1929, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr Craxton. Covering note for articles to be published. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.