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 5 Collections and/or Records:
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 Maud Foulds, 30 April 1930
Letter, 30 April 1930, London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter of advice, outlining the problems in the production of Foulds 'Requiem' in London, and imploring Tovey to come to London to play the piece with Foulds. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 08 October 1933
Letter, 8 October 1933, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussion of Tovey's concerto and the technique and effort required to master it. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 25 January 1937
Letter, 25 January 1937, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Note concerning the fingering, and bow strokes for Tovey's concerto. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 11 November 1937
Postcard, 11 November 1937, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's cello concerto and Buschs' variations of Tovey's work being played in Edinburgh by Tovey's quartet. Holograph signed.