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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from John W. Tanen, c 12 March 1942
Letter, 12 March [n.y], Surrey, John W. Tanen to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 18 October 1938
Letter, 18 October 1938, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Weisse's state of health, description of a lecture given by Tovey, news of Weisses travels in Germany. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sophie Weisse, c1941
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Inviting Foss to visit Weisse, and expressing a desire to go to Worplesdon and visit Tovey's grave. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Batty Balfour, 02 December 1925
Letter, 2 December 1925, Surrey, Batty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, 09 April 1922
Letter, 9 April 1922, Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey give a lecture to the Woking workers association. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Arranging to meet and escort Joachim and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, 14 June 1931
Letter, 14 June 1931, Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey what a pleasure it was to have him and his wife to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 05 November 1938
Letter, 5 November 1938, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Covering letter for ' a few precious things ', and a description of a book by Housman. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 20 June 1939
Letter, 20 June 1939, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. News of Lady de Vesci's death, and Miss. Weisse's memories of her. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Sending Tovey some writing material and describing Knaphill. Holograph signed.