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 97 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Arnold Rose from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 July 1928
Letter, 19 July 1928, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arnold Rose. Introducing Mary Grierson. Holograph signed, written on "Cadenza for Brahms violin concerto" by Donald Tovey, with envelope.
Letter to Bernard Hoffman from Frank Morley Fletcher, 30 April 1924
Letter, 30 April 1924, California, Frank Morley Fletcher to Bernard Hoffman. Suggesting that Tovey be told of the diversities of the musical community of Santa Barbara before he arrives. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Tessier du Cros, 16 March 1952
Letter, 16 March 1952, Paris, Janet Tessier du Cros to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, and her diplomatic style of writing and describing Tessier du Cros' musical training. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope, for Tessier du Cros see also Janet Grierson.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Pauline Maze, c 03 July 1900
Letter, 3 July [n.y], Prades, Pauline Maze to Mary Grierson. Description of a festival in Prades, requesting a copy of Tovey's Pasacaille for piano, and praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peter Charles Arthur Wishart, 06 June 1952
Letter, 6 May 1952, Birmingham, Peter Wishart to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, empathising with Tovey's struggles and a discussion of music teaching. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Arthur Somervall, 05 January 1933
Letter, 5 January 1933, London, Arthur Somervall to Mary Grierson. Describing Somervall's symphony, the slow movement of which was written in memory of Scott the explorer, and asking how Tovey was. Holograph signed.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 September 1931
Letter, 17 September 1931, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Requesting a copy of Dent's Fidelio. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1917
Letter, 9 April 1917, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description of new house and discussion of the Carnegie Musical publication. Holograph signed.
Letter to from, c 27 December 1920
Letter, 17 December [n.y.], Dresden, Walter Petret. Thanking Tovey for sending an analysis of a symphony and informing Tovey that Petret will send him a score. Holograph signed.
Letter to Geoffrey Cotsell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1931
Letter, [1931], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Geoffrey Cotsell. Advice on passing a sight reading examination. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from Geoffrey Cotsell.