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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Robert Bruce from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 June 1939
Letter, 11 June 1939, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Robert Bruce. Thanking Bruce for his ideas about Oxford. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Helene and Albert Schweitzer, 30 April 1928
Letter, 30 April 1928, Amsterdam, Helene and Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Schweitzer will be unable to visit Scotland. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 13 April 1921
Letter, 13 April 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Writing of his envy of J. P. E. von Stolzig, who is being taught by Tovey and discussing certain compositions. Holograph signed.