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 8 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 18 February 1904
Letter, 18 February 1904, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's position as judge of the Prix d' excellence and enclosing composition work. Holograph signed.
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 Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 06 August 1936
Letter, 6 August 1936, Holland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. News of journey to Holland, of Nicholas Roth's knowledge of Tovey's Haydn trio's, congratulating Tovey on the fine melody and beautiful harmony he has made of the Newman Hymn. 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 Rodolphi Soiroy, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Rodolphi Soiroy to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's quartet, and reminding Tovey of a meeting. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 20 January 1894
Letter, 20 January 1894, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Attempting to arrange a time to look over Tovey's symphony. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 22 February 1922
Postcard, 22 February 1922, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to comment on Rontgen's music and describing performances of his film. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Ralm, 01 May 1939
Postcard, 1 May 1939, Kent, Robert Ralm to Donald Tovey. Describing life in England after fleeing from Germany, and discussing Tovey's Trio opus 8 and a meeting with Joachim. Holograph signed.