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 807 Collections and/or Records:
Letter ( post script) to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter ( post script), [1922], Canstatt, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a production of Salome and a Roger concert, and news of Swoboda. Holograph signed, post-script of L669.
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1935
Letter, 1935, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Discussions of Tovey's speech with Casals and Schweitzer and informing Schweitzer that Tovey has received a knighthood. Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Arnold Rose from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 July 1928
Letter, 19 July 1928, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arnold Rose. Introducing Mary Grierson. Holograph signed, written on "Cadenza for Brahms violin concerto" by Donald Tovey, with envelope.
Letter to Bernard Hoffman from Frank Morley Fletcher, 30 April 1924
Letter, 30 April 1924, California, Frank Morley Fletcher to Bernard Hoffman. Suggesting that Tovey be told of the diversities of the musical community of Santa Barbara before he arrives. Typescript signed.
Letter to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan] from Florence Emily Barger, 23 November 1925
Letter, 23 November 1925, Edinburgh, Florence Barger to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan]. Informing 'Bessie' of Tovey's engagement to Minnie Wallace, discussing the engagement and news of Tovey . Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Gould from Annie Friedberg, 02 January 1925
Letter, 2 January 1925, New York, Annie Friedbourg to Clara Gould. Wishing Gould a happy New Year and informing her that she has had no news from Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Clara Tovey from Pablo Casals, 17 May 1935
Letter, 17 May 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Clara Tovey. Hoping Lady Tovey had a good voyage, praising her husband and wishing her well. Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Wallace from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], [London], Donald Tovey to Clara Wallace. Apologising for not visiting and accepting an invitation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Wallace from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 June 1891
Letter, 15 June 1891, Moffat, Donald Tovey to Clara Wallace. Notifying Clara Wallace that Tovey will not be attending the Handel festival. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Daniel Duff from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 October 1937
Letter, 19 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Daniel Duff. Request for luminous paper, or gold leaf. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from Daniel Duff.