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 J.H. Collinson, 02 March 1923
Letter, 2 March 1923, Edinburgh, J.H. Collinson to Donald Tovey. Apologising for not returning a copy of Brahms sonata for violin and pianoforte lent by Tovey in 1921. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Auld, 13 November 1928
Letter, 13 November 1928, Edinburgh, John Auld to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his kindness and news of a song to be sung by a Miss. Scotney. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Keith [Faeker], 06 March 1931
Letter, 6 March 1931, Edinburgh, Keith [Faeker] to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a note of encouragement before a performance and praising Tovey's arrangements. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Lucy Sklovsky, 16 May 1922
Letter, 16 May 1922, Edinburgh, Lucy Sklovsky to Donald Tovey. News of Slovsky's family, an outbreak of Scarlet fever and a production of Carmen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from M. Lidstone, c08 March 1920
Letter, 8 March 1920, Edinburgh, M. Lidstone to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey for supper. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mary A. Weisse, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Mary A. Weisse to Donald Tovey. Enclosing a letter from Miss. Weisse, and news of Mary Weisse's insomnia. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Molly Dickson, 28 January 1934
Letter, 28 January 1934, Edinburgh, Molly Dickson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his gift of Music to Dickson. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Percival W. Hulbert, 14 November 1924
Letter, 14 November 1924, Edinburgh, Percival W. Hulbert to Donald Tovey. Praising a concert at the Usher hall, and commenting on how similar Tovey is in appearance to his mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pere W. Hulbert, 18 January 1922
Letter, 18 January 1922, Edinburgh, Pere W. Hulbert to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for an invitation to a Reid concert rehearsal. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from R. Samper, 03 April 1932
Letter, 3 April 1932, Edinburgh, R. Samper to Donald Tovey. Covering letter returning a treasured book to Tovey. Holograph signed.