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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from L. M. Prentis, 26 March 1934
Letter, 26 March 1934, Edinburgh, L. M. Prentis to Donald Tovey. From the guardian of a student of music at the University of Edinburgh criticising the teaching in harmony and suggesting the student would had been better studying at The Royal Academy of Music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 24 January 1891
Letter, 24 January 1891, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Discussing Tovey's progress and suggesting he has a lesson in counterpoint every other week. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 07 April 1893
Letter, 7 April 1893, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Praise of the young Tovey's progress in counterpoint and exceptional musical talent. Holograph signed, with envelope written on by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1899
Letter, [1899], London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of study at the British Library, piano fingering technique and programme notes. Holograph signed, with annotations in pencil on first leaf.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 June 1924
Letter, 7 June 1924, Liverpool, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of the Reid orchestra and details of the arts course in music at Edinburgh University. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 September 1905
Postcard, 6 September 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's studies of Chopin, Brahms and Beethoven and his busy schedule. Holograph signed.