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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Douglas Dickson from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 30 January 1943
Letter, 30 January 1943, London, Adrian Boult to Douglas Dickson. Discussion of a scholarship in memory of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Dickson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [1890], Switzerland, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Dr Dickson. On being awarded the Nettleship scholarship to Balliol, Oxford University. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 December 1902
Letter, 15 December 1902, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Information about the Nettleship scholarship examinations and Balliol college. Holograph signed, L151 - L154 sewn together.
Letter to Ferdinand Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 July 1903
Letter, 13 July 1903, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Ferdinand Speyer. Congratulating Ferdinand on winning the Nettleship scholarship, Balliol College Oxford and offering advice.. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 June 1937
Letter, 27 June 1937, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Requesting information concerning music scholarships, words to a ninth symphony etc.. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 20 June 1938
Letter, 20 June 1938, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning music scholarships. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Adrian Cedric Boult from D. Dickson, 04 February 1943
Letter, 4 February 1943, Edinburgh, D. Dickson to Adrian Boult. Thanking Boult for his letter about the Tovey prize and expressing Newmans feelings on the subject. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Lionel Smith, 27 October 1906
Letter, 27 October 1906, Oxford, Arthur L. Smith to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to accept the Nettleship scholarship at Oxford University. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Hilliard, 27 October 1906
Letter, 27 October 1906, Oxford, Edward Hilliard to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a benefactor who wishes to offer Tovey £900 to give Tovey more time for composition and original work. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erik Chisholm, 31 August 1951
Letter, 31 August 1951, Cape Town, Erik Chisholm to Donald Tovey. Concerning Grierson's visit to South Africa on a Nuffield scholarship. Typescript signed.