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 140 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to 'a Professor ' from Sir Hugh Percy Allen, 17 January 1943
Letter, 17 January 1943, Oxford, Hugh Allen to ' a Professor '. Regret that the recipient will not join the Tovey memorial committee, and a discussion of Tovey's written works. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Marga Denecke, 10 November 1922
Letter, 10 November 1922, Oxford, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to Oxford and suggesting that he perform a recital. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Marga Denecke, 22 December 1921
Letter, 22 December 1921, Oxford, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey. Offering to help Tovey over a situation concerning Moor and the Aeolian company. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Myfanny Varley, 05 January 1954
Letter, 5 January 1954, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to Mary Grierson. Wishing Grierson a happy new year and recounting stories of the Tovey family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Frank Stewart Howes, 10 December 1941
Letter, 10 December 1941, Oxford, Frank Howes to Hubert Foss. Covering note for a story about Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Henry Balfour Gardiner, c1942
Letter, 1 January 1942, Oxford, H. Balfour Gardiner to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of the last time Gardiner saw Tovey and his memories of him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Imogen Clare Holst, 21 December 1921
Letter, 21 December 1921, Oxford, Imogen Holst to Hubert Foss. Covering note for two letters from Tovey to Gustav Holst. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Maitland, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Oxford, Margaret Maitland to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of Maitland's relationship to Tovey and reminiscences of Tovey and Maitland's youth. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Myfanny Varley, 04 December 1941
Letter, 4 December 1941, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to [Hubert Foss]. Reminiscences and anecdotes illustrating Tovey's life. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Myfanwy Varley, c 18 December 1941
Letter, 18 December [n.y], Oxford, Myfanny Varley to [Hubert Foss]. Reminiscences and anecdotes illustrating Tovey's life. Holograph signed, with printed card ' Mrs. F. J. Varley '.