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 Sophie Weisse from J Douglas H Dickson, 25 July 1895
Telegram, 25 July 1895, Surrey. Douglas Dickson to Sophie Weisse. 'Donald here quite well'. Transcript.
Telegram to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 12 December 1890
Telegram, 12 December 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that it has been arranged for Tovey to visit Parry at eleven thirty. Holograph.
Telegram to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 March 1896
Telegram, 21 March 1896, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. ' Sorry cannot come till Monday Donald'. Typescript copy.
Telegram to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 July 1897
Telegram, 26 July 1897, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of cost of a ticket to Luxembourg. Typescript copy.
Telegram to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 February 1902
Telegram, 28 February 1902, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has received a wire. Typescript copy.
The Tovey Collection
Three letters signed from Sophie Weisse to Louis Fleury, 5 June, 28 June, 13 July 1910
This collection consists of three letters, in French, from the Scottish music teacher, Sophie Weisse (1852-1945) to the French flautist Louis Fleury (1878-1926). Composed in June-July 1910 in Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. The letters discuss concert plans, including a performance by Weisse’s close friend and protegé, Donald Tovey. One letter mentions Tovey’s great admiration of Fleury’s playing.