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 6 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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Annie Friedberg, 20 November 1924
Letter, 20 November 1924, New York, Annie Friedberg to Donald Tovey. Arranging a signing of contracts, suggesting that Tovey play at a festival and give recitals in Boston and New York. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Annie Friedberg, 14 October 1925
Letter, 14 October 1925, New York, Annie Friedberg to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey inform Friedberg of his whereabouts , arranging hotel accommodation in New York, confirming Tovey's invitation to the Steinway reception. Typescript incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Florence Fernald, 30 October 1924
Letter, 30 October 1924, California, Florence Fernald to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a picture and arranging a person to manage his programme in California. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's plans to travel to Dresden and Prague to give concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Fletcher, 26 October 1924
Letter, 26 October 1924, California, Maud Fletcher to Donald Tovey. Outlining Mrs. Gould's funding for Tovey, and the difficulties faced in arranging concerts for Tovey. Holograph signed.