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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Jonathan Reeves, 29 January 1942
Letter, 29 January 1942, London, Jonathan Reeves to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of correspondence between Sir Hugh Allen and Tovey, the untidiness of his manuscripts, his work on Beethoven and Brahms and memories of the young Tovey with Miss. Weisse. Typescript signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 03 December 1941
Letter, 3 December 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Agreeing to write down recollections of Tovey, enclosing a letter from Tovey, and memories of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Joachim from Julius Rontgen, 20 July 1927
Letter, 20 July 1927, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Joachim. Discussing Tovey's visit and plans to publish correspondence. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mrs Rollo Russell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs. Rollo Russell. Describing time spent with Joachim, and discussion of a ms.. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 18 January 1934
Letter, 18 January 1934, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter, apologising for an error made in one of her works, dispelling Tovey's believe that she was alluding to Beethoven, and a discussion of Lord Peter Whimsey's relationship with Harriet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 18 April 1936
Letter, 18 April 1936, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter, discussion of a story and of Lord Peter Whimsey's psychology. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 03 April 1937
Letter, 3 April 1937, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a pastiche, and news of Peter and Harriet's honeymoon at the comedy theatre. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 07 October 1928
Letter, 7 October 1928, Berlin, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to write down a list of songs for a book, hoping to meet Tovey in Switzerland or Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Emma Parratt, 18 August 1929
Letter, 18 August 1929, Wilford - On - Sea, Emma Parratt to Donald Tovey. Requesting a progress report on Tovey's piece on Sir Walter Parratt and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Wally Passer, 20 January 1925
Letter, 20 January 1925, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Introducing Passer's son Kurt who is coming to England and news of Passer's translation work. Holograph signed.