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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Edward Joseph Dent, 12 January 1951
Letter, 12 January 1951, London, Edward Dent to Mary Grierson. Discussing Tovey's scholarly approach to music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Achille Simonetti, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Achille Simonetti to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance and essay on the Goldberg variations, arranging rehearsals for Simonetti and Mr. Blumenthal. Holograph signed, with annotation in blue ink by Miss Weisse.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from James Higgs, 03 June 1892
Letter, 3 June 1892, London, James Higgs to Donald Tovey. Commenting on Tovey's excellent counterpoint, and commenting and correcting his work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maria Levinskaya, 02 March 1930
Letter, 2 March 1930, London, Maria Levinskaya to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to accept a copy of Levinskaya's book, and a description of the work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 01 February 1922
Letter, 1 February 1922, London, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Questioning Tovey on Purcell, Schubert and Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Walford Davis, 24 January 1938
Letter, 24 January 1938, London, Walford Davis to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for quoting Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 09 June 1924
Letter, 9 June 1924, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey produce an appreciation and analysis of Brahms chamber works for orchestra for the Cyclopeadia. 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.