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 15 Collections and/or Records:
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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Balfour, 26 October 1927
Letter, 1927 Oct 26, Prestonkirk, A. Balfour to Professor Tovey. Thanking Tovey for inviting the Balfours' to a rehearsal of the Reid orchestra and arranging a date for their visit. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adele Hertes, c1925
Letter, [n.d], East Hampton, Adele Hertes to Donald Tovey. Explaining why Hertes can not organise two recitals and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, c1898
Letter, 1898, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Description of a performance of Schumann quartet, asking Tovey to play at Balliol and news from Oxford. Holograph, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Schwiller, 06 December 1928
Letter, 6 December 1928, Edinburgh, Isabelle Schwiller to Donald Tovey. Discussing her time spent with Tovey and her plans to hear the Reid orchestra before she leaves Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, c1900
Letter, [1900], Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Regretfully explaining to Tovey that Joachim can not perform at a concert as he has to devote his time to his Quartet performances, inviting Tovey to Vienna. Holograph signed, with annotations attached to the back page.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Foulds, c1920
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to London for the production of Foulds 'Requiem', suggesting Tovey and Foulds play the Requiem for Lord Howard de Walden. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pere W. Hulbert, 18 January 1922
Letter, 18 January 1922, Edinburgh, Pere W. Hulbert to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for an invitation to a Reid concert rehearsal. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, 10 January 1916
Letter, 10 January 1916, Aviemore, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey success with a Beethoven concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 29 October 1893
Letter, 29 October 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Covering note for some cod-liver oil, and advising Donald to work daily. Typescript copy.