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 10 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mrs. Tovey from Emily Ritchie, 08 December 1928
Letter, 8 December 1928, London, Emily Ritchie to Mrs. Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on an 'enchanting' performance of a Haydn work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mrs Wallace from Sir Donald Franicis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], [Surrey], Donald Tovey to Mrs Wallace. Thanking Mrs Wallace for her hospitality and describing a performance of "School for Scandal". Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey and Clara Tovey from Marga Denecke, c28 January 1923
Letter, 28 January 1923, London, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey and Clara Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance at The Wigmore hall and news of Adolf Busch. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adila Adrienne Adalbertina Maria Fachiri, c1929
Letter, [n.d], London, Adila Fachiri to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a message of encouragement before a performance, and a description of the performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Aschberg, Aped and Crew Ltd., 05 May 1923
Letter, 5 May 1923, London, Aschberg, Aped and Crew Ltd. to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey lend some material appropriate for an exit of Nuns in a scene written around Thomas Baccarat, for a pageant at Harrow. Typescript incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gordon Bottomley, 19 February 1931
Letter, 19 February 1931, London, Gordon Bottomley to Donald Tovey. Apologising to Tovey for not personally expressing his feelings about a concert and subsequently praising Tovey's work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Hindemith, c1933
Letter, [1933], London, Paul Hindemith to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of his expected arrival time in Edinburgh and discussing a concert in Glasgow. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Rev Duncan Crooks Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Duncan Tovey to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Donald on the successful run of his concerts, inviting Donald to 'The Logic Club' and to dinner. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 January 1891
Letter, 12 January 1891, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of a performance of The Messiah at the Albert Hall, and details of Tovey's social life. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Wilma Halle, 27 October 1908
Letter, 27 October 1908, London, Wilma Halle to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a letter and cheque, praising Tovey's playing of Mozart. Holograph signed.