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 81 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1929
Letter, 9 April 1929, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Covering letter for the score of "The Bride of Dionysus". Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 May 1932
Letter, 9 May 1932, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Concerning ' The Bride of Dionysus', an organ recital in St. Giles cathedral, Edinburgh and Scweitzer's honorary degree from Edinburgh University music faculty. Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Charles de Sousy Ricketts from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 09 November 1928
Letter, 9 November 1928, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Ricketts. Agreeing to pay Ricketts three hundred pounds for his work on the ' Bride of Dionysus' sets. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Charles de Sousy Ricketts from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, c1928
Letter, [n.d], London, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Ricketts. Enclosing the libretto of the ' Bride of Dionysus' and arranging a meeting with Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Charles Guthrie Esq. from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 29 January 1929
Letter, 29 January 1929, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Guthrie Esq.. Discussion of the performance of the opera and the financial and legal considerations. Typescript copy.
Letter to Charles Guthrie from H. Middleton, 30 April 1929
Letter, 30 April 1929, London, H. Middleton to Charles Guthrie. Discussing the success of ' The Bride of Dionysus' and Tovey's greatness. Ms. Transcript.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 25 March 1929
Letter, 25 March 1929, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his opera and outlining Casals future engagements and performances. Holograph signed.
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 [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Covering letter for letters from Tovey, informing Foss of the wealth of material Baily has on the Bride of Dionysus, suggesting she write down her reminiscences of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to John Christie from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 April 1936
Letter, 7 April 1936, Bath, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to John Christie. Attempt to persuade Christie to put The Bride of Dionysus on at Glyndebourne. Typescript copy.