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 2127 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Hugh S. Robertson, 06 March 1952
Letter, 6 March 1952, Glasgow, Hugh S. Robertson to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope, Place as postmark.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Isobel Macdonald, 03 October 1952
Letter, 3 October 1952, Ontario, Isobel Macdonald to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with envelope, letter ripped .
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from J. R. Potts, 02 April 1952
Letter, 2 April 1952, Leeds, J. R. Potts to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, particularly for the description of the history of the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Northway, c 23 April 1952
Letter, 23 April [n.y], Ascot, Janet Northway to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and reminiscing. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Tessier du Cros, 28 October 1952
Letter, 28 October 1952, Paris, Janet Tessier du Cros to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and informing Grierson that Tessier du Cros has Cadenza's written by Tovey in Ms.. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope, for Tessier du Cros see also Janet Grierson.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Tessier du Cros, 16 March 1952
Letter, 16 March 1952, Paris, Janet Tessier du Cros to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, and her diplomatic style of writing and describing Tessier du Cros' musical training. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope, for Tessier du Cros see also Janet Grierson.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Jean. M. Mill, 10 March 1952
Letter, 10 March 1952, Dumbartonshire, Jean. M. Mill to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, suggesting that the French quotations in the book be translated. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Johannes Röntgen, 16 July 1922
Letter, 16 July 1922, Johannes Rontgen to Mary Grierson. Informing Mary Grierson that the Rontgen's will not be coming to Edinburgh since Johannes has accepted a conducting post and news of his wedding. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from John Mackay, 10 April 1952
Letter, 10 April 1952, Edinburgh, John Mackay to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from John W. Tanen, c 12 March 1942
Letter, 12 March [n.y], Surrey, John W. Tanen to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.