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 4 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ralph Vaughan Williams, 27 September 1950
Letter, 27 September 1950, Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Explaining the reasons that Vaughan Williams asked Tovey for advice, informing Grierson of Tovey's comments when Vaughan Williams suggested Grierson should succeed him as Professor at Edinburgh. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ralph Vaughan Williams, 11 October 1950
Letter, 11 October 1950, Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Expressing the hope that Grierson will describe Tovey's help to Vaughan Williams. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elizabeth Trevelyan, c1911
Letter, [1911], Surrey, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to stop burdening Robert Trevelyan with work, as he is becoming anxious and overworked. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Peter Rybar, 19 January 1939
Letter, 19 January 1939, Surrey, Peter Rybar to Donald Tovey. An expression of friendship and respect for Tovey. Holograph signed.