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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 04 January 1925
Letter, 4 January 1925, Boston, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Gould's impressions of Friedberg, and news of Gould's travels. Holograph.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Helen Hopekirk, c09 November 1930
Letter, 9 November 1930, Massachusetts, Helen Hopekirk to Donald Tovey. Expressing enthusiasm over Tovey's visit to America. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1924
Letter, [1924], Boston, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's impressions of America, especially Santa Barbara, Tovey's anger at the people who have been against him. Holograph signed.