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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Ernest Bryson, 30 December 1941
Letter, 30 December 1941, Gloucestershire, Ernest Bryson to Hubert Foss. Memories of Tovey, conducting the Reid Orchestra, programme notes, ' The Bride of Dionysus', and completion of the Bach fugue. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Emanuel Christian Hedmonth, 09 April 1929
Letter, 9 April 1929, Edinburgh, C. E. Hedmonth to Robert Trevelyan. Criticising the music Tovey has written for the Opera, suggesting Tovey needs a good conductor. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Andersen Strecker, c1920
Letter, 1916 Feb 6, A Strecker to Donald Tovey. Anticipating press reviews of Tovey's concerts, informing Tovey that he is working on a new opera by Korngold and thanking Tovey for offering sympathy over the death of his son. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 22 May 1934
Letter, 22 May 1934, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Describing rehearsals for two operas. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 16 February 1921
Letter, 16 February 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a forthcoming performance of the ' Laughing Cavalier'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 13 January 1932
Letter, 1932 Jun 13, Surrey, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing an opera and compositions by Rontgen and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from London A. Corbett-Smith, 12 November 1922
Letter, 12 November 1922, London A. Corbett-Smith to Donald Tovey. Promoting 'National opera handbooks', and news of a son born to Corbett-Smith. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 20 October 1917
Letter, 20 October 1917, Robert Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Reassuring Miss. Weisse that Trevelyan has Tovey's best interests at heart and is keen for Tovey to finish the ' Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph in pencil.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 December 1920
Letter, 18 December 1920, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of music scores and Ms. Tovey has and news of correcting proofs of Bride of Dionysus. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1919
Letter, [1919], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of trying to contact Beecham to look at Tovey's composition. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed paper.