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 14 Collections and/or Records:
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 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.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 03 December 1934
Letter, 3 December 1934, Alsace, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey and Schweitzer's close understanding as musicians, praising Tovey's ' Art of the Fugue'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Ballantine, 29 October 1925
Letter,29 October 1925, Massachusetts, Edward Ballantine to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight that Tovey is to come and speak at Harvard University and suggesting the subject of Beethoven's 9th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Joseph Dent, 26 November 1937
Letter, 26 November 1937, New York, Edward Dent to Donald Tovey. Agreeing to meet Tovey's son, details of lecture programme, questioning Tovey on studies of Schubert's opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. F. Dobson, 14 June 1938
Letter, 14 June 1938, Bristol, J. F. Dobson to Donald Francis Tovey. Asking Tovey about the form of a certain Brahms sonata, and whether Tovey's composition ' Je suis le frere du bon Cocher was ever published ' and remembering days at Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mrs. A. E. Clapperton, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Renfrewshire, Mrs. A. E. Clapperton to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to give a lecture at Glasgow University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Walford Davis, 24 January 1938
Letter, 24 January 1938, London, Walford Davis to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for quoting Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Paterson Paterson, 09 December 1937
Letter, 9 December 1937, Edinburgh, W. P. Paterson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving Paterson a copy of ' Essays in Musical Analysis, vol V '. Holograph signed.