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 6 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Hamilton from George C. Pratt, 15 August 1941
Letter, 15 August 1941, Milwaukee, George C. Pratt to Hamilton. Praising Tovey's wit, culture and insight and commenting on music critics. Typescript.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Arthur G. Reekie, 05 December 1932
Letter, 5 December 1932, Edinburgh, Arthur G. Reekie to Hubert Foss. Recounting memories of Tovey and praising the great man. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Carl Fuchs, 26 November 1941
Letter, 26 November 1941, Manchester, Carl Fuchs to Hubert Foss. Praising Tovey's intellect and musician ship, and describing memories of a performance Tovey gave at the house of Gustav Behrens. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Hubert W. Hunt, 23 November 1944
Letter, 23 November 1944, Bristol, Hubert W. Hunt to Hubert Foss. Memories of Tovey from a young boy, his exceptional talent and a typical Toveyism. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Hubert W. Hunt, 23 November 1944
Letter, 23 November 1944, Bristol, Hubert W. Hunt to Hubert Foss. Memories of Tovey from a young boy, his exceptional talent and a typical Toveyism. Typescript copy.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Sir William Rothenstein, 18 January 1942
Letter, 18 January 1942, William Rothenstein to [Hubert Foss]. Reminiscences of Tovey and informing Foss that Rothenstein made two drawings of Tovey. Holograph signed.