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 5 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 18 January 1934
Letter, 18 January 1934, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter, apologising for an error made in one of her works, dispelling Tovey's believe that she was alluding to Beethoven, and a discussion of Lord Peter Whimsey's relationship with Harriet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 18 April 1936
Letter, 18 April 1936, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter, discussion of a story and of Lord Peter Whimsey's psychology. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 03 April 1937
Letter, 3 April 1937, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a pastiche, and news of Peter and Harriet's honeymoon at the comedy theatre. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 06 July 1937
Letter, 6 July 1937, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter, and discussion the production of ' The zeal of my house' at Canterbury. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy L. Sayers, 23 December 1937
Letter, 23 December 1937, Essex, Dorothy L. Sayers to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a pamphlet on a remote ancestor of Lord Peter Whimsey and Christmas wishes. Holograph signed.