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 18 Collections and/or Records:
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 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 Jan Hambourg, 21 October 1934
Letter, 21 October 1934, London, Jan Hambourg to Donald Tovey. Suggestion that Tovey and Hambourg perform several Bach and Beethoven works together. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mary Warre Cornish, 27 April 1924
Letter, 27 April 1924, London, Mary Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey requesting to play with the Reid orchestra conducted by Tovey. 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 Maud Foulds, c1920
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to London for the production of Foulds 'Requiem', suggesting Tovey and Foulds play the Requiem for Lord Howard de Walden. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from [James Higgs], 30 September 1890
Letter, 30 September 1890, London, [James Higgs] to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a time to resume Tovey's lessons, and suggesting preparation for Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 03 October 1890
Letter, 3 October 1890, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's progress and suggesting that Tovey should not be pushed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 24 January 1891
Letter, 24 January 1891, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Discussing Tovey's progress and suggesting he has a lesson in counterpoint every other week. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 07 April 1893
Letter, 7 April 1893, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Praise of the young Tovey's progress in counterpoint and exceptional musical talent. Holograph signed, with envelope written on by Miss. Weisse.