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:
Telegram to Mrs. Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1937
Telegram, 1937, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mrs. Speyer. Praising Edward Speyers book "My life and friends". Typescript.
Telegram to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Clara Tovey, 11 July 1940
Telegram, 11 July 1940, Edinburgh, Clara Tovey to Robert C. Trevelyan. Informing Trevelyan of Tovey's death and of the date of the memorial service. Ms. Transcript.
Telegram to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 July 1918
Telegram, 25 July 1918, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Robert Trevelyan. ' Grade four on University account highly Grettie white lion '. Transcript.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 14 March 1935
Telegram, 14 March 1935, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his success with a London concert of his variations. Typescript.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from M. S. Watts, c1900
Telegram, [n.d], Guildford, M. S. Watts to Donald Tovey. Arranging to have lunch at Worplesdon. Typescript copy.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Marga Denecke et al., c1920
Telegram, [n.d] Oxford, Marga Deneke et al. to Donald Tovey. ' Variations great performance great reception large audience'. Transcript.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Fletcher, 21 April 1924
Telegram, 21 April 1924, California, Maud Fletcher to Donald Tovey. Agreeing to arrange concerts and send one hundred pounds. Holograph signed.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 03 April 1891
Telegram, 3 April 1891, Moffat, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Telling Tovey of his mothers plans and informing him to visit. Typescript copy.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 14 August 1893
Telegram, 14 August 1893, Lowestoft, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey hat his money has been sent off. Typescript copy.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 05 July 1905
Telegram, 5 July 1905, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to leave Edinburgh Thursday next, to catch the Cornishes. Typescript copy.