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 8 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 June 1900
Letter, 14 June [n.y], London, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Arranging musicians for following seasons concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robin Legge Esq. from Augner Ltd., 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, Augner Ltd. to Robin Legge Esq.. Praising the work of a composer and musician [Tovey], enclosing reviews of the latest performances of his works and a prospectus of the Chelsea concerts, and expressing the hope that the artist will be supported by the English public. Typescript incomplete, first page of letter, L2501.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Lascalles, 22 March 1922
Letter, 22 March 1922, London, A. Lascalles to Donald Tovey. Outlining plans to produce Foulds world requiem in St. Pauls, backed by the Prince of Wales. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Francis Herbert Thompson, 19 October 1903
Letter, 19 October 1903, London, Herbert Thompson to Donald Tovey. Anticipating Tovey's forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ibbs and Tillett, 16 September 1922
Letter, 16 September 1922, London, Ibbs and Tillett to Donald Tovey. Asking whether Tovey would be prepared to ask Dohnyani to perform at one of his concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Coates, 16 June 1911
Letter, 16 June 1911, London, John Coates to Donald Tovey. An enquiry about the Chelsea concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Rev Duncan Crooks Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Duncan Tovey to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Donald on the successful run of his concerts, inviting Donald to 'The Logic Club' and to dinner. Holograph signed.
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.