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 21 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1912
Letter, 3 November 1912, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Emphasising that music should be a faculty, not part of an arts faculty. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 March 1934
Letter, 26 March 1934, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of two pupils success in the degree examinations, and one pupils interfering mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on papers, acoustic class and press photographers. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 June 1931
Letter, 15 June 1931, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mr Lee Ashton. Apologising for late payment of examiners fees. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. H. Mears, 09 March 1928
Letter, 9 March 1928, Cambridge, A. H. Mears. Suggesting the setting up of a complimentary council at the University of Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 16 February 1929
Letter, 16 February 1929, Surrey, Arthur James Balfour to Donald Tovey. Expressing Balfours' hopes that the new Vice-Chancellor of the University will support Tovey as Professor of music. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 25 October 1924
Letter, 25 October 1924, California, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Outlining Hoffman's feelings about Santa Barbara as a musical centre, and that it would not offer a challenge to Tovey's skills, and answering Tovey's claims that promises were not fulfilled on his last trip to Santa Barbara. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, 08 February 1929
Letter, 8 February 1929, Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the appointment of a new chancellor. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from D. Emrys Evans, 12 January 1931
Letter, 12 January 1931, Bangor, D. Emrys Evans to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter concerning music degrees, and music departments in Universities. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frieda Busch, 16 October 1938
Letter, 16 October 1938, Frieda Busch to Donald Tovey. Plea to Tovey that a young Austrian immigrant might be accepted into the faculty of music at Edinburgh University. Holograph signed.