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 12 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Bernard Hoffman from Frank Morley Fletcher, 30 April 1924
Letter, 30 April 1924, California, Frank Morley Fletcher to Bernard Hoffman. Suggesting that Tovey be told of the diversities of the musical community of Santa Barbara before he arrives. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Margaret. N. O Baily, 25 May 1952
Letter, 25 May 1952, Edinburgh, Margaret. N. O Baily to Mary Grierson. Advertising lectures on opera, suggesting the University music faculty do some preparatory festival work, praising Grierson's biography on Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Pauline Maze, c 03 July 1900
Letter, 3 July [n.y], Prades, Pauline Maze to Mary Grierson. Description of a festival in Prades, requesting a copy of Tovey's Pasacaille for piano, and praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Daniel Gregory Mason, 12 September 1924
Letter, 12 September 1924, Connecticut, Daniel Gregory Mason to Donald Francis Tovey. Informing Tovey that Mason is going to attend the Pittfoddels festival. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Earl of Moray, 10 March 1923
Letter, 10 March 1923, Perth, Earl of Moray to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to be a guest at the Perth and Perthshire music festival. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erno Dohnanyi, 20 September 1932
Letter, 20 September 1932, Budapest, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Concerning Tovey's position as judge of the Franz Liszt competition in Hungary. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Eusebius Mandyczewski, 05 October 1924
Letter, 5 October 1924, Mandyczewsiki to Donald Tovey. Requesting a bibliography of Tovey's published works and describing a music festival in Vienna. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. Warner, 20 May 1937
Letter, 20 May 1937, Berlin, H. Warner to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his help in enabling the Berlin college of music singers to tour Scotland and England, inviting Tovey to a music festival in Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 10 September 1922
Letter, 10 September 1922, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Describing tha arrangements and adminstration for forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 01 April 1937
Letter, 1 April 1937, J. Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that he is to be honoured at the 25th anniversary of Hollands string quartet festival. Holograph signed.