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 Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 07 October 1928
Letter, 7 October 1928, Berlin, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to write down a list of songs for a book, hoping to meet Tovey in Switzerland or Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, 01 February 1931
Letter, 1 February 1931, Berlin, Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a present and discussion of an issue being. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, 16 July 1903
Letter, 16 July 1903, Berlin, Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a birthday card, and good wishes. Holograph signed, paper torn in half.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Wally Passer, c30 May 1923
Letter, 30 May [n.y], Berlin, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to Dresden or Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 January 1902
Letter, [14 January 1902], Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of the musical atmosphere of Vienna and Birthday wishes to Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 January 1902
Letter, 24 January 1902, Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing the trouble Tovey had in buying a piano in Germany. Typescript copy, incomplete.