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 Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 27 October 1934
Letter, 14 October 1934, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Arranging a concert date. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donld Tovey from Pablo Casals, 10 May 1928
Letter, 10 May 1928, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donld Tovey. Welcoming Tovey to Barcelona for a performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Douglas Dickson from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 30 January 1943
Letter, 30 January 1943, London, Adrian Boult to Douglas Dickson. Discussion of a scholarship in memory of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Dickson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [1890], Switzerland, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Dr Dickson. On being awarded the Nettleship scholarship to Balliol, Oxford University. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Dr. Jekyll from Sophie Weisse, 03 August 1917
Letter, 3 August 1917, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Dr. Jekyll. Inviting Dr.Jekyll to stay, news that Miss. Weisse has been cataloguing Tovey's library. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr. Jekyll from Sophie Weisse, 01 September 1917
Letter, 1 September 1917, East Lothian, Sophie Weisse to Dr. Jekyll. Asking Jekyll to help Miss. Weisse catalogue Tovey's library. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr. Jekyll from Sophie Weisse, 26 Sepember 1917
Letter, 26 Sepember 1917, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Dr. Jekyll. Discussions concerning Tovey's library, an estimated cost of the library and a suggestion that the library be donated to Balliol college, Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardiner Grierson from Bronislaw Hubermann, 07 July 1924
Letter, 2 July 1924, Badgestein, Bronislaw Hubermann to Mary Grierson. Explaining that Huberman is to busy to play with Tovey this season, but would like to do so in the future. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Alan Frank, 21 September 1950
Letter, 21 September 1950, London, Alan Frank to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, on black and white photograph of Chateau de Beloeil.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Alex Cuthbert, 15 August 1952
Letter, 15 August 1952, Edinburgh, Alex Cuthbert to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography on Tovey, describing Tovey's work in Edinburgh and the impact it had on Cuthbert. Holograph signed.