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 200 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Adolf Busch from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Adolf Busch. Discussion of string quartet variations in B Opus II, working methods and the loneliness of the profession. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
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 Clara Tovey from Joaquin Pena Costa, 23 March 1935
Letter, 23 March 1935, Barcelona, Joaquin Pena to Clara Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send details of his concert programme, material for the 'Pastoral', and expressing eager anticipation at the arrival of Tovey's concerto. Typescript signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Casals, c1934
Letter, [1934], Casals to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey and thanking him for writing his Cello Concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 18 February 1904
Letter, 18 February 1904, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's position as judge of the Prix d' excellence and enclosing composition work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 22 October 1927
Letter, 22 October 1927, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for a concert in Edinburgh and praising Gershwin's ' Rhapsody in blue'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 12 March 1933
Letter, 12 March 1933, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Expressing the joy Casals felt on receiving Tovey's cello concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 12 March 1933
Letter, 12 March 1933, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Expressing the joy Casals felt on receiving Tovey's cello concerto. Typescript copy.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 27 September 1933
Letter, 27 September 1933, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's concerto, describing it as long and profound, inviting Tovey to Barcelona to play the concerto. Holograph signed.