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 17 Collections and/or Records:
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 Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 August 1936
Letter, 7 August 1936, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Edward Dent. Introducing Elizabeth Schenck. Typescript copy.
Letter to Frau Roeyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Frau Roeyer. Introducing and recommending Mary Grierson. Holograph signed, written on "Cadenza for Brahms violin concerto" by Donald Tovey, with envelope.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 April 1928
Letter, 12 April 1928, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Asking Grierson to suggest a suitable present. Holograph signed, with press cutting, ' a review of a Reid concert '.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, [1930], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Request to send orchestral parts to Rontgen in Holland. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1935
Letter, [1935], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion concerning Ethel Smyth and Pablo Casals. Holograph signed, incomplete.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 August 1937
Letter, 6 August 1937, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Criticism of a sketch, and discussion of Georgina Henschel. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1937
Letter, [1937], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Note of arrival date and papers being at the printers. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 14 July 1938
Letter, 14 July 1938, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerned with a leaving presentation for a member of staff. Holograph signed.