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 5 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Belle May, 25 February 1952
Letter, 25 February 1952, Glasgow, Belle May to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's accomplishment in producing the Tovey biography, memories of Grierson's mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erik Chisolm, 19 February 1935
Letter, 19 February 1935, Glasgow, Erik Chisolm to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to a performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Havergal, c 04 March 1931
Letter, 4 March 1931, Glasgow, Henry Havergal to Donald Tovey. Expressing disappointment that Tovey will not be conducting a forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 14 December 1923
Letter, 4 December 1923, Glasgow, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Boult expressing his admiration for Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Giles Whittaker, 16 February 1933
Letter, 16 February 1933, Glasgow, William Giles Whittaker to Donald Tovey. Welcoming Tovey back to public life. Typescript.