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 93 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 February 1925
Letter, 2 February 1925, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Annie Friedberg. Arrangement for U.S concerts. Ms. transcript.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 30 June 1935
Letter, 30 June 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Miss. Weisse is going to Bad Nauheim and enclosing information on Miss. Weisses mother. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 08 July 1935
Letter, 8 July 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Details of Miss. Weisse's journey to Bad Nauheim and enclosing a letter from Tovey's doctor. Holograph signed.
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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Thea Hunter, c1952
Letter, [n.d], Paris, Thea Hunter to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Hunter is returning for another year and news of her forthcoming visit to Italy. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 March 1901
Letter, 8 March 1901, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer. Turning down an invitation to a house party because of a tour of Berlin. Holograph signed, L139 - L142 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 February 1902
Letter, 13 February 1902, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description of tours in Berlin and Vienna. Holograph signed, L143 - L144 sewn together.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Thomas H. Hamilton, 05 March 1942
Letter, 5 March 1942, Illinois, Thomas H. Hamilton to Hubert Foss. Memories of Tovey's tours of America and of Tovey's hospitality. Typescript signed.
Letter to Pablo Casals from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 April 1936
Letter, 12 April 1936, Bath, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Pablo Casals. Discussing treatments for his hands, suggesting a record be made of Casals concert, introducing Hubert Foss. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Denys de Saumarez Bray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 1895
Letter, [1895], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Denys Bray. Description of a visit to Winchester and information on a forthcoming trip to Arran. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, incomplete.