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 8 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 10 November 1933
Letter, 10 November 1933, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Praising an orchestral concert and Grierson's efforts in keeping the orchestra together and encouraging it and concern for Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edith F Ewart, 25 December 1922
Letter, 25 December 1922, London, Mrs. Ewart to Donald Tovey. Christmas greetings and a description of the progress of the Penicuik and district orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edith F. Ewart, 16 March 1923
Letter, 16 March 1923, Midlothian, Edith F. Ewart to Donald Tovey. Asking what edition of Bach's G minor Sonata for violin and piano to get, news of a new recruit for the Reid Orchestra and of the Penicuik orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 08 October 1932
Letter, 8 October 1932, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Expressing joy at the news of Tovey's recovery, news of a visit from the Busch quartet and other news. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. V. Rushforth, 21 April 1936
Letter, 21 April 1936, Edinburgh, F. V. Rushforth to Donald Tovey. Covering note for photos of the Reid orchestra, congratulations on the performance and news of Rushforth's daughter in Munich. Holograph signed, with envelope containing two photo's of the Reid Orchestra and one of Donald Tovey.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Douglas H. Dickson, 16 October 1937
Letter, 16 October 1937, Edinburgh, J. Douglas H. Dickson to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial affairs of the Reid orchestra, including the Reid Orchestra endowment fund, and a discussion of Edinburgh and it's people. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, c1900
Letter, [1900], Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Regretfully explaining to Tovey that Joachim can not perform at a concert as he has to devote his time to his Quartet performances, inviting Tovey to Vienna. Holograph signed, with annotations attached to the back page.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Rosalind Maitland, c07 July 1922
Letter, 7 July 1922, Edinburgh, Rosalind Maitland to Donald Tovey. Details of the Reid Orchestra's guarantor's meeting, news of Adrian Boult's praise for Tovey's work and a meeting with Allt. Holograph signed.