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 fromSir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 October 1899
Postcard, 9 October 1899, Meiningen, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's companions and a note on Fritz Steinbach's conducting. Holograph signed, with black and white picture of Fritz Steinbach.
Postcards to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 July 1904
Postcards, 27 July 1904, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Apologising for not going to a wedding, accepting an invitation to stay. Holograph signed, written on two postcards, L156 - L161 sewn together.
Receipt to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 29 March 1890
Receipt, 29 March 1890, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Receipt for รบ3.30, the cost of Tovey's music lessons. Holograph signed.
Recollections to from, 13 January 1942
Recollections, 13 January 1942, Geoffrey Parratt. Recollections of Tovey and a sketch of Tovey's character. Typescript signed.
Telegram to Dunn from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 25 May 1925
Telegram, 25 May 1925, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Dunn. Requesting the terms of the Reid orchestra. Transcript.
Telegram to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 November 1907
Telegram, 7 September 1907, London, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Informing Speyer of his arrival. Transcript.
Telegram to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1914
Telegram, Windsor, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Notification of what train Tovey will be on. Transcript.
Telegram to Ernest Walker from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 October 1921
Telegram, 3 October 1921, Donald Tovey to Ernest Walker. Notification of delay in arrival. Typescript.
Telegram to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c06 July 1915
Telegram, 6 July [n.y], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Advice on rehearsing the Reid choir. Typescript.
Telegram to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1915
Telegram, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson of Holst's practicality and suggesting she should consult choirmasters. Typescript.