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 25 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Arthur Quimby, 12 August 1926
Letter, 12 August 1926, Arthur Quimby to Annie Friedberg. Enclosing a signed contract from Tovey and informing Friedberg that Tovey will speak on ' The development of modern music'. Typescript copy, torn.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 03 July 1927
Letter, 3 July 1927, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Concerned with an American plan to complete Schubert's unfinished symphony for the 100th anniversary of his death. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Bernard H. Haggin, 19 August 1952
Letter, 19 August 1952, New York, B. H. Haggin to Mary Grierson. Requesting the date of issue in which Constant Lambert attacked Tovey's ' Essays in musical analysis', also requesting any dates of reviews of Tovey's performances. Typescript signed, with envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from 'A. Student', 12 March 1923
Letter, 12 March 1923, Edinburgh, 'A. Student' to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his Bach lectures and requesting that they be continued. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alberic Wynberg, 15 May 1933
Letter, 15 May 1933, Alberic Wynberg to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a gracious analysis of Wynberg's work and a description of the work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alfred Weintraud, 25 September 1937
Letter, 25 September 1937, London, Alfred Weintraud to Donald Tovey. Concerning Tovey's letter to the Times about Schumann's posthumous violin concerto, and discussion of what Joachim said. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Ware Locke, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Massachusetts, Arthur W. Locke to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey suggest some choral music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Rontgen, 02 April 1925
Letter, 2 April 1925, Holland, Edward Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Rontgen use Tovey's notes for a performance of the 9th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 20 February 1916
Letter, 20 February 1916, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Remarks on elements, history, form and Walker news. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 15 October 1924
Letter, 15 October 1924, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Discussing a book on Schubert, and asking Tovey to consider Walker's work on Schubert. Holograph signed.