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 30 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Alfred Richter from Joseph Joachim, 19 May 1902
Letter, 19 May 1902, London, Joseph Joachim to Alfred Richter. Introducing Tovey as an ' excellent young musician' with a wide breadth of music knowledge. Typescript copy, letter ripped at centre fold line.
Letter to Alfred Richter from Joseph Joachim, 19 May 1902
Letter, 19 May 1902, London, Joseph Joachim to Alfred Richter. introducing Tovey as an ' excellent young musician' with a wide breadth of musical knowledge. Ms. Transcript, by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Edward Joseph Dent, 12 January 1951
Letter, 12 January 1951, London, Edward Dent to Mary Grierson. Discussing Tovey's scholarly approach to music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Geoffrey Fenwick Jocelyn Cumberlege, 12 March 1952
Letter, 12 March 1952, London, Geoffrey Cumberlege to Mary Grierson. Recept for a cheque for the publication of her biography of Tovey. Typescript signed, with receipts, [2]p. 22 x 22cm, and a review list, 22 x 18cm.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Julian Jeffs, 13 July 1963
Letter, 13 July 1963, London, Julian Jeffs to Mary Grierson. Returning correspondence between Maurice Baring and Tovey to Grierson. Typescript signed.
Letter to Ernest Mathews from The Secretary, The Associated Board of The Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, 15 May 1923
Letter, 15 May 1923, London, The Secretary, The Associated Board of The Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. Covering note for a letter from a Mr. Ernest Mathews. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Maud Karpeles, 10 February 1942
Letter, 10 February 1942, London, Maud Karpeles to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss that Prof. Rose has no intimate memories of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Robin Humphrey Legge from William Strecker, 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, William Strecker to Robin Legge. Asking for Legge's patronage of Tovey and praising the composer, suggesting there is no living composer who has written and is likely to write Chamber Music like Tovey. Typescript, first page of L2488.
Letter to Robin Legge Esq. from Augner Ltd., 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, Augner Ltd. to Robin Legge Esq.. Praising the work of a composer and musician [Tovey], enclosing reviews of the latest performances of his works and a prospectus of the Chelsea concerts, and expressing the hope that the artist will be supported by the English public. Typescript incomplete, first page of letter, L2501.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adila Adrienne Adalbertina Maria Fachiri, c04 February 1938
Letter, 4 February 1938, London, Adila Fachiri to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's letter in 'The Times', and thanking him for his help and teaching. Holograph signed.