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 28 Collections and/or Records:
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, 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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 30 October 1930
Letter, 30 October 1930, London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Thanking the Tovey's of their offer of hospitality and details of Schweitzer's time of arrival and engagements. Holograph signed, letter accompanied by English translation.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, c1925
Letter, [n.d], California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. News of Clara Tovey's travels. Holograph incomplete.
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 Edith F. Ewart, 24 June 1923
Letter, 24 June 1923, Cheltenham, Edith F. Ewart to Donald Tovey. News of the Ewarts visit to Australia. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Hoping to meet Tovey en route to New York. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 06 August 1936
Letter, 6 August 1936, Holland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. News of journey to Holland, of Nicholas Roth's knowledge of Tovey's Haydn trio's, congratulating Tovey on the fine melody and beautiful harmony he has made of the Newman Hymn. Holograph signed.