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 77 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Donald Tovey from Marga Denecke, 10 November 1922
Letter, 10 November 1922, Oxford, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to Oxford and suggesting that he perform a recital. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Myfanny Varley, 05 January 1954
Letter, 5 January 1954, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to Mary Grierson. Wishing Grierson a happy new year and recounting stories of the Tovey family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Henry Balfour Gardiner, c1942
Letter, 1 January 1942, Oxford, H. Balfour Gardiner to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of the last time Gardiner saw Tovey and his memories of him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Maitland, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Oxford, Margaret Maitland to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of Maitland's relationship to Tovey and reminiscences of Tovey and Maitland's youth. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Myfanny Varley, 04 December 1941
Letter, 4 December 1941, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to [Hubert Foss]. Reminiscences and anecdotes illustrating Tovey's life. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Myfanwy Varley, c 18 December 1941
Letter, 18 December [n.y], Oxford, Myfanny Varley to [Hubert Foss]. Reminiscences and anecdotes illustrating Tovey's life. Holograph signed, with printed card ' Mrs. F. J. Varley '.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. J. Caird, c 21 November 1914
Letter, 21 November [n.y.], Oxford, C. J. Caird to Donald Tovey. A covering note for letters sent to Tovey at Oxford and inviting Tovey to Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Francis Bell, 23 October 1897
Letter, 23 October 1897, Oxford, C. F. Bell to Donald Tovey. Cancelling a meeting, offering Tovey a book and the use of a harpsichord. Typescript copy, tea stain on right hand side of the letter.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Francis Bell, 23 October 1897
Letter, 23 October 1897, Oxford, C. F. Bell to Donald Tovey. Cancelling a meeting, offering Tovey a book and the use of a harpsichord. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cyril Bailey, 20 May 1930
Letter, 20 May 1930, Oxford, Cyril Bailey to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a gift made to The Oxford Music Society. Holograph signed.