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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gordon Bottomley, 15 December 1923
Letter, 15 December 1923, Edinburgh, Gordon Bottomley to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending tickets to a concert and explaining why Bottomley could not go. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. F. Giles, 03 March 1930
Letter, 3 March 1930, Edinburgh, H. F. Giles to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for providing music for a play and describing how the music enhanced the play. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Havergal, c 28 November 1930
Letter, 28 November 1930, Edinburgh, Henry Havergal to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his efforts, considering the small pay cheque. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Havergal, 02 September 1933
Letter, 2 September 1933, Edinburgh, Henry Havergal to Donald Tovey. News of Havergal's acceptance of a music post at Haileybury. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Hermione Taylor, 15 December 1923
Letter, 15 December 1923,Edinburgh, Hermione Taylor to Donald Tovey. Enclosing a present for Tovey's son John and inviting him to tea. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Georgina Maxwell Salvesen, 28 June 1921
Letter, 28 June 1921, Edinburgh, Isabelle G. M. Salvesen to Donald Tovey. News of Salvesen's daughter studies abroad, her time with the Moor's and the music scene. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Schwiller, 06 December 1928
Letter, 6 December 1928, Edinburgh, Isabelle Schwiller to Donald Tovey. Discussing her time spent with Tovey and her plans to hear the Reid orchestra before she leaves Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle W. Hardie, 20 June 1923
Letter, 20 June 1923, Edinburgh, Isabelle W. Hardie to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to tea, with Hardie and Mr. and Mrs. Joachim. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Douglas H. Dickson, 16 October 1937
Letter, 16 October 1937, Edinburgh, J. Douglas H. Dickson to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial affairs of the Reid orchestra, including the Reid Orchestra endowment fund, and a discussion of Edinburgh and it's people. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jessie Clapperton, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Jessie Clapperton to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey's advice about a suitable fee for Worsley's horn playing. Holograph signed.