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 83 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mary Grierson from Alexander Craig Aitken, 12 July 1950
Letter, 12 July 1950, Edinburgh, Alexander Craig Aitken to Mary Grierson. Outlining Tovey's interest in numbers and Aitkens memories of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope, with scrap of paper, covered in numerical scribbling by Tovey.
Letter to Moira Leebody from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 October 1920
Letter, 14 October 1920, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Moira Leebody. Covering letter returning a copy of a borrowed book. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Paul Hindemith from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Paul Hindemith. Thanking Hindemith for his letter and inviting him to visit. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1917
Letter, 9 April 1917, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Robert Trevelyan . Thanking Trevelyan for a volume of his poetry, "The Pearl tree". Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Donald Tovey from Gladys Clark, c03 February 1930
Letter, 3 February 1930, Edinburgh, Gladys Clark to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to a house warming. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 21 September 1924
Letter, 21 September 1924, Stockbridge, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Arrangements and plans. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from David Duff, 24 October 1937
Letter, 24 October 1937, Edinburgh, David Duff to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elsa Frobel, 25 November 1920
Letter, 25 November 1920, Edinburgh, Elsa Frobel to Donald Tovey. Offering assistance to ' Madame Schumann's', daughter and informing Tovey that Frobel was a pupil of Madame Schumann's. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. V. Rushforth, 21 April 1936
Letter, 21 April 1936, Edinburgh, F. V. Rushforth to Donald Tovey. Covering note for photos of the Reid orchestra, congratulations on the performance and news of Rushforth's daughter in Munich. Holograph signed, with envelope containing two photo's of the Reid Orchestra and one of Donald Tovey.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gordon Bottomley, 11 December 1923
Letter, 11 December 1923, Edinburgh, Gordon Bottomley to Donald Tovey. Notifying Tovey that Bottomley is in Edinburgh with his new play and asking Tovey if he can attend an orchestral rehearsal. Holograph signed.