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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Dame Ethel Mary Smythe, 14 June 1930
Letter, 14 June 1930, Woking, Ethel Smythe to Mary Grierson. Attempting to arrange a suitable date to perform a work called ' The Prison', . Holograph signed.
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 Alexander Wunderer, 21 March 1924
Letter, 21 March 1924, Alexander Wunderer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's concert in Vienna in 1904 with Fillinger, praising Tovey's work and requesting details of Tovey's publications. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Veiel, 27 December 1923
Letter, 27 December 1923, Stuttgart, Fritz Veiel to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial situation in Germany, congratulating Tovey on a performance in Dresden and thanking Tovey for sending journals. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Sending reviews of Tovey's concerts in Prague and news of Swoboda's current projects. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ibbs and Tillett, 16 September 1922
Letter, 16 September 1922, London, Ibbs and Tillett to Donald Tovey. Asking whether Tovey would be prepared to ask Dohnyani to perform at one of his concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Dunlop, 21 November 1937
Letter, 21 November 1937, London, Isabelle Dunlop to Donald Tovey. Praising a concert and suggesting Tovey hear some of her work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Josefine Slunsky, 20 May 1933
Letter, 20 May 1933, Paris, Josefine Slunsky to Donald Tovey. Requesting a meeting with Tovey in Vienna and arranging for Slunsky's music students to perform for Tovey.. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, 14 November 1903
Letter, 14 November 1903, Berlin, Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the violinist Vescey, praise of Tovey's concerts. Holograph signed, letter in bad condition.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 12 April 1930
Letter, 12 April 1930, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to perform in the Hague. Holograph signed.