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 Clara Tovey from Thea Hunter, 04 March 1941
Letter, 4 March 1941, Edinburgh, Thea Hunter to Clara Tovey. Describing Tovey's absence at Concert series as a tragedy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Wallace from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], [London], Donald Tovey to Clara Wallace. Apologising for not visiting and accepting an invitation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Wallace from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 June 1891
Letter, 15 June 1891, Moffat, Donald Tovey to Clara Wallace. Notifying Clara Wallace that Tovey will not be attending the Handel festival. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Daniel Duff from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 October 1937
Letter, 19 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Daniel Duff. Request for luminous paper, or gold leaf. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from Daniel Duff.
Letter to [' Dear Sir'] from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1899
Letter, [1899], Donald Tovey to [' Dear Sir']. Suggesting that the British Museum should reorganise it's catalogue. Holograph signed.
Letter to ['Dear Sir'] from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to ['Dear Sir']. Tovey explaining what he will lecture on and how he plans to illustrate his lecture. Typescript, may refer to a course of lectures to be given at The Royal Institution.
Letter to D.F.A. Fox from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 October 1938
Letter, 8 October 1938, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to D.F.A. Fox. Praising Fox's performance. Ms. transcript.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Casals, c1934
Letter, [1934], Casals to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey and thanking him for writing his Cello Concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 15 December 1922
Letter, 15 December 1922, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing fees and the cost of giving a concert both publically and privately. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 28 January 1923
Letter, 28 January 1923, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a concert programme. Holograph signed.