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 8 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Haydn Brown, 07 October 1924
Letter, 7 October 1924, London, Haydn Brown to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending two volumes of Bach's works and Tovey's introductory notes, patriotic comments about England. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mieczys³aw Horszowski, 04 March 1936
Letter, 4 March 1936, Milan, Mieursiplau Hoursousk. Thanking Tovey and his wife for hospitality shown to Hoursousk during his stay in Edinburgh, and praising Tovey's Beethoven concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Wittgenstein, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Salzburg, Paul Wittgenstein to Donald Tovey. Discussing Grierson's visit, and enclosing some composition work for Tovey to comment upon. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for the present of some scores and notes on the scores. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending presents, details of a concert given by Paderewski, criticising a piano, Tovey's studying plans, and other news. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1901
Letter, [1901], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's mother, a concerto and Tovey's consultation of Gevaerts, 'Cours Methodique'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 March 1916
Letter, [March 1916], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a successful Reid concert, criticism of a music critic in 'The Scotsman', and news of life in Edinburgh. Holograph unfinished, on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper.
Letter to unknown from [Robert Calverley Trevelyan], c1900
Letter, [Trevelyan] to unknown. Discussing comments made to Mrs. Strecker concerning Tovey's methods of working. Holograph, incomplete.