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 12 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 20 February 1892
Letter, 20 February 1892, Biggar, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to visit by Tuesday, news that Parry is waiting to receive work from Tovey. Typescript copy, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 19 February 1892
Letter, 19 February 1892, Biggar, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to stay where he is as a member of Miss. Weisse's household has influenza. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 April 1893
Letter, 14 April 1893, Moffat, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's writing and composing at Hartree. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 04 September 1893
Letter, 4 September 1893, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss Weisse for sending Tovey a treatise on Music by Dannreuther. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 January 1895
Letter, 16 January 1895, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Explaining the reason for his delay, and asking for advice from Parry via Miss Weisse. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 October 1898
Letter, 18 October 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Offering to escort Miss. Weisse ' down South '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 October 1898
Letter, 18 October 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Offering to escort Miss. Weisse 'down South'. Typescript copy of L512.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 October 1898
Letter, 28 October 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Wishing ' Sister Mary ' well, and asking about Miss. Weisse's plans to return top Cambridge. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 November 1898
Letter, 12 November 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. A thank you note, and progress report. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 November 1898
Letter, 12 November 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. A thank you note, and progress report. Typescript copy.