Skip to main content

Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)

 Person

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 George Szell, 07 March 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1956
Scope and Contents

Letter, 7 March 1937, Prague, George Szell to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans to fill the post of concertmaster for the Scottish Orchestra and asking Tovey's help in translating Mahler's Earth Song. Typescript signed.

Dates: 07 March 1937

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, 17 March 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1756
Scope and Contents

Letter, 17 March 1937, Prague, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for a reference for the B. B. C, describing a radio broadcast and concert plans. Typescript signed.

Dates: 17 March 1937

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, 19 September 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1757
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 September 1937, Prague, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to help arrange for Swoboda to conduct in Edinburgh and discussing plans to perform a Swiss opera on radio. Holograph signed, with a press cutting.

Dates: 19 September 1937

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, 06 December 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1758
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 December 1937, Prague, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at plans to give a concert in Edinburgh, plans to perform in Prague with Casals, and hopes to perform in London for Boult and the B. B. C. Holograph signed.

Dates: 06 December 1937

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Wally Passer, 01 February 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1473
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 February 1923, Prague, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Enclosing newspaper reviews to Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 February 1923