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 7 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 20 October 1922
Letter, 20 October 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Discussing a German publisher for Tovey's ' Euryanthe' and performances of the work in New York and Prague. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 06 April 1934
Letter, 6 April 1934, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Concerning the publication of Tovey's cello concerto and his musical analyses. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Holst, 20 September 1923
Letter, 20 September 1923, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Details of a German translation of Holst's 'Hymn of Jesus' by Lauckner, and the problems of publication, and invitation to dine with Holst. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 08 May 1925
Letter, 8 May 1925, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's written work, especially the preface, for piano, outlining forthcoming concerts in Barcelona and a hope that Casals may be able to play Tovey's concerto in the Autumn. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Wittgenstein, 14 January 1935
Letter, 14 January 1935, Paul Wittgenstein to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending some of his publications, comments on the new Schmidt concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir William Symington McCormick, c29 May 1931
Letter, 29 May 1931, London, W. S. Mcormick to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for introducing Fould's work and offering advice on how to get the work published and performed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Willy Strecker, 21 July 1937
Letter, 21 July 1937, Mainz, Willy Strecker to Donald Tovey. Discussing Hindemith's book of music teaching and Tovey's planned meeting with it's American translator, Remi Gassmann also mentions the publication of Tovey's compositions. Typescript signed.