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:
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 29 August 1910
Postcard, 29 August 1910, Sussex, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's plans to score the work he is currently composing. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 September 1910
Postcard, 6 September 1910, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Eton, and a note on Wagner. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1911
Postcard, [1911], Germany, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a symphony by 'W', which is a mixture of Strauss and Bruckner. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 January 1911
Postcard, 12 January 1911, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a performance of Sprach Lavieygamp. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1911
Postcard, [1911], Vienna, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's travels, and of Busch and Mandyczewski, and a description of Bruckner's 9th Symphony. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1912
Postcard, [1912], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description and criticism of Beethoven's Fidelio. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1912
Postcard, [1912], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Praising a performance of the Beethoven Mass and news of his visit. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 January 1916
Postcard, 19 January 1916, Amsterdam, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a successful concert in Amsterdam and details of Tovey's travels. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 November 1919
Postcard, 1 November 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Note of first success of first Reid concert, praising Fanny Davies performance, and Tovey's address in Birmingham. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 May 1921
Postcard, 18 May 1921, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing delight at saving a scherzo. Holograph signed.