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 28 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Gerrard Warre Cornish from Rev Duncan Crooks Tovey, 20 January 1891
Letter, 20 January 1891, Surrey, Duncan Tovey to Cornish. Thanking Cornish for his sympathetic letter and describing a fire at the Tovey household. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mrs Wallace from Sir Donald Franicis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], [Surrey], Donald Tovey to Mrs Wallace. Thanking Mrs Wallace for her hospitality and describing a performance of "School for Scandal". Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
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 Sophie Weisse from Mary Tovey, 05 December 1900
Letter, 5 December 1900, Surrey, Mary Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concerning a letter from Fuller Maitland praising Tovey's talents. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 December 1892
Letter, 25 December 1892, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Christmas greetings and enclosing a gift. Photocopy of holograph signed, annotations at end of letter by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 December 1892
Letter, 25 December 1892, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Christmas greetings. Holograph signed, annotations in pencil by Miss Weisse at the end of the letter.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 May 1893
Letter, 14 May 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Inquiring how Miss. Weisse is, and news of Tovey family life. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 August 1893
Letter, Surrey, 19 August 1893, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Brief note informing Miss Weisse of a pleasant walk and financial situation. Typescript copy, on same page as L362/1.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of a lesson with Parry. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1899
Letter, 14 November 1899, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Family news and list of musical works Tovey requires. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.