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 13 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Hilliard, 27 October 1906
Letter, 27 October 1906, Oxford, Edward Hilliard to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a benefactor who wishes to offer Tovey £900 to give Tovey more time for composition and original work. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, c 11 April 1916
Letter, 11 April [n.y], Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter on variations and a discussion of orchestration. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Buchan, 26 June 1934
Letter, 26 June 1934, Oxford, John Buchan To Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Buchan would like to collaborate with Tovey over ' The Rose and the Ring ', but does not have time at present. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong, c03 June 1939
Letter, [3 June 1939], Oxford, Thomas Armstrong to Donald Tovey. Explaining a misunderstanding over the dates Armstrong is expected in Edinburgh and a covering note for some compositions by Moonie. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Will Stanton, 19 March 1923
Letter, 19 March 1923, Oxford, Will Stanton to Donald Tovey. Arranging to send Tovey set of parts of a quintet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 October 1894
Letter, 1 October 1894, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Talk of Tovey's finances, Tovey's plans for vacation work and news of Tovey's composition work. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 March 1895
Letter, 15 March 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of technique and spontaneity in music and criticism of a music committee. Holograph signed, in pencil, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 February 1895
Letter, 21 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering note for the themes of a first movement of a composition by Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 October 1895
Letter, 22 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a pianoforte quintet Tovey is composing. Holograph, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 February 1896
Letter, 12 February 1896, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of musical scoring, details of a concert. Holograph signed, incomplete.