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 Arnold Rose from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 July 1928
Letter, 19 July 1928, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arnold Rose. Introducing Mary Grierson. Holograph signed, written on "Cadenza for Brahms violin concerto" by Donald Tovey, with envelope.
Letter to Arthur Melville Clark from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 June 1936
Letter, 23 June 1936, London, Donald Tovey to Arthur Melville Clark. Describing the type of article that will be produced. Transcript.
Letter to Arthur Melville Clark from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 July 1936
Letter, 1 July 1936, London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arthur Melville Clark. Describing the type of article that will be produced. Transcript.
Letter to Arthur Melville Clark from Sir Donald Francis Tovey,, 11 October 1937
Letter, 11 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arthur Melville Clark. Thanking Clark for editing a work, discussing musical scholarship. Typescript.
Letter to ( Aunt ) Jeanette Green from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 25 December 1908
Letter, [25 December 1908], Donald Tovey to ( Aunt ) Jeanette Green. Informing of the death of Aunt Bessie, consoling and sympathetic tone. Holograph signed.
Letter to Bernard Hoffman from Frank Morley Fletcher, 30 April 1924
Letter, 30 April 1924, California, Frank Morley Fletcher to Bernard Hoffman. Suggesting that Tovey be told of the diversities of the musical community of Santa Barbara before he arrives. Typescript signed.
Letter to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan] from Florence Emily Barger, 23 November 1925
Letter, 23 November 1925, Edinburgh, Florence Barger to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan]. Informing 'Bessie' of Tovey's engagement to Minnie Wallace, discussing the engagement and news of Tovey . Holograph signed.
Letter to Charles de Sousy Ricketts from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 09 November 1928
Letter, 9 November 1928, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Ricketts. Agreeing to pay Ricketts three hundred pounds for his work on the ' Bride of Dionysus' sets. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Charles de Sousy Ricketts from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, c1928
Letter, [n.d], London, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Ricketts. Enclosing the libretto of the ' Bride of Dionysus' and arranging a meeting with Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Charles Glover Barkla from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 October 1928
Letter, 7 October 1928, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Charles Glover Barkla. The teaching of music at Edinburgh University. Typescript signed.