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 6 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guilermina Suggia, 12 November 1938
Letter, 12 November 1938, London, Guilermina Suggia to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight that Tovey and Suggia are to play together, and requesting scores for the performance. 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 S. H. Peckitt, c1910
Letter, [n.d], S. H. Peckitt to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's work and requesting that Tovey play again. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, 16 October 1919
Letter, 16 October 1919, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey advise of a good singing teacher based in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Walter Parratt, c 09 November 1900
Letter, 9 November [1900], Windsor, Walter Parratt to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of the young Tovey's talents and development. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 09 May 1924
Postcard, 9 May 1924, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to adjudicate an exam in Amsterdam and to select music for it. Holograph signed.