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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Arthur Quimby, 12 August 1926
Letter, 12 August 1926, Arthur Quimby to Annie Friedberg. Enclosing a signed contract from Tovey and informing Friedberg that Tovey will speak on ' The development of modern music'. Typescript copy, torn.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 23 July 1890
Letter, 23 July 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the cost of lessons, commenting on Tovey's improvement and plans for his development. Holograph signed.
Telegram to Dunn from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 25 May 1925
Telegram, 25 May 1925, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Dunn. Requesting the terms of the Reid orchestra. Transcript.