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 4 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Geoffrey Parratt, 10 November 1907
Letter, 10 November 1907, Windsor, Geoffrey Parratt to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his success. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse and Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Walter Parratt, 10 February 1910
Letter, 10 February 1910, Windsor, Walter Parratt to Sophie Weisse and Donald Tovey. Expression of love and gratitude. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 October 1889
Letter, 25 October 1889, Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Detailed description of the Leeds music festival, and news of Tovey's visit to Cambridge. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 December 1887
Letter, 25 December 1887, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss Weisse for Christmas presents, two scores, one being The Pastoral symphony. Holograph signed.