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 22 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Myfanny Varley, 05 January 1954
Letter, 5 January 1954, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to Mary Grierson. Wishing Grierson a happy new year and recounting stories of the Tovey family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 01 October 1935
Letter, 1 October 1935, London, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Miss. Weisses brother is dying and asking for news of Tovey's whereabouts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 11 October 1935
Letter, 11 October 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Miss. Weisses brothers death, requesting that Grierson get a ticket for the Reid concert series and a description of Tovey's parents last years. Holograph signed.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1937
Letter, 14 November 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Request that Dent should visit Tovey's son John. Typescript copy.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Maitland, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Oxford, Margaret Maitland to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of Maitland's relationship to Tovey and reminiscences of Tovey and Maitland's youth. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Daisy James Jones, c1922
Letter, 1922, Daisy James Jones to Donald Tovey. News of the James Jones family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Eleanor Douglas Pennant, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Guildford, Eleanor Douglas Pennant to Donald Tovey. News of Douglas Pennant and her family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elizabeth Trevelyan, c 24 October 1930
Letter, 24 October [n.y], Surrey, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey well and sending news of the Trevelyan family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Lewis Bruce, 21 May 1928
Letter, 21 May 1928, Berkshire, Lewis Bruce to Donald Tovey. Consoling Tovey over a family issue, and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Murray Coutts-Trotter, 19 October 1917
Letter, 19 October 1917, Madras, Murray Coutts-Trotter to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the orchestra Coutts-Trotter has set up and requesting orchestral parts, also informing Tovey of the death of his mother. Holograph signed.