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 75 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Dame Ethel Mary Smyth, 02 February 1931
Letter, 2 February 1931, Woking, Ethel Smyth to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Smyth will turn up at a rehearsal if necessary, news that Smyth is suffering from influenza and is losing her voice. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Tessier du Cros, 16 March 1952
Letter, 16 March 1952, Paris, Janet Tessier du Cros to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, and her diplomatic style of writing and describing Tessier du Cros' musical training. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope, for Tessier du Cros see also Janet Grierson.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Balfour, 26 October 1927
Letter, 1927 Oct 26, Prestonkirk, A. Balfour to Professor Tovey. Thanking Tovey for inviting the Balfours' to a rehearsal of the Reid orchestra and arranging a date for their visit. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Corbett-Smith, 27 February 1921
Letter, 27 February 1921, Edinburgh, A. Corbett - Smith to Donald Tovey. On behalf of A. Corbett - Smith's wife thanking Tovey for the opportunity to play with the Reid orchestra. 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 Adele Hertes, c1925
Letter, [n.d], East Hampton, Adele Hertes to Donald Tovey. Explaining why Hertes can not organise two recitals and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 February 1934
Letter, 23 February 1934, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at being awarded a doctorate from Edinburgh University, and describing rehearsals of Tovey's variations in Bristol. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 08 May 1932
Letter, 8 May 1932, Holland, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Schweitzer's plans to collect an honorary doctorate from St. Andrews university and hoping to do something with Tovey at the University of Edinburgh music faculty. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Beatrice Harrison, 12 April 1929
Letter, 12 April 1929, Surrey, B. Harrison to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a copy of his sonata and asking for help to play it. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Plans for performances of a Russian and Hungarian ballet, directed by John Christie. Holograph signed.