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 32 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 October 1935
Letter, 28 October 1935, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Discussing plans for performing in Edinburgh with Schweitzer at the McEwen and Usher hall. Holograph signed, photocopy.
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 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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, c1935
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Recounting a story of a performance of a Bach work by Tovey and Casals. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lucy Kemp from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936
Letter, [1936], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Lucy Kemp. Praising Kemp's performance. Ms. transcript by Lucy Kemp, with cadenza and covering note written to Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Instructions and plans for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c14 November 1938
Letter, [14 November 1938], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Congratulating Grierson on a performance of Mozart. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Advice for orchestrating a concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes and plans for forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Grierson from Alexander Craig Aitken, 24 February 1952
Letter, 24 February 1952, Edinburgh, Alexander Craig Aitken to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography on Tovey, and a recent recital. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.