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 30 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 15 June 1932
Letter, 15 June 1932, London, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Asking Grierson how Tovey is and expressing concern about his health. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 28 June 1932
Letter, 28 June 1932, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Miss. Weisse expressing anxiety over Tovey's sanity and health, expressing distaste for the Wallace family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 12 February 1933
Letter, 12 February 1933, Rugby, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Describing the health of Tovey's son and suggesting that Miss. Weisse should take charge of him. 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, 18 October 1938
Letter, 18 October 1938, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Weisse's state of health, description of a lecture given by Tovey, news of Weisses travels in Germany. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 01 December 1938
Letter, 1 December 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Arranging to meet, discussion of Tovey's heart condition. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, c 01 December 1935
Letter, [December 1935], London, Albert Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Remembering time spent at Lady Tovey's, concern over her husbands hands and good wishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Tovey from Helene Schweitzer, 15 December 1935
Letter, 15 December 1935, London, Helene Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Expressing concern over the health of Tovey's hands, reminiscing over happy times the Tovey's and Schweitzer's have shared. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 May 1936
Letter, 16 May 1936, Salisbury, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Greetings and news of Tovey and his health. Dictated signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Middleton, 16 October 1939
Letter, 16 October 1939, London, A. Middleton to Donald Tovey. Concern over Tovey's arthritis, informing Tovey that his nephew has recently moved to Edinburgh and asking if Tovey will make their acquaintance. Holograph signed.