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 William Taylor, 07 December 1923
Letter, 7 December 1923, Edinburgh, W. Taylor to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey for dinner. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Yehudi Menuhin, 03 November 1934
Letter, 3 November 1934, Edinburgh, Yehudi Menuhin to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter and expressing hopes for a concert with Tovey in the future. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1914
Letter, [1914], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Report from Edinburgh assuring Miss. Weisse all is well. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 March 1916
Letter, [March 1916], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a successful Reid concert, criticism of a music critic in 'The Scotsman', and news of life in Edinburgh. Holograph unfinished, on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 October 1920
Letter, 1 October 1920, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's wife and son and hopes for the future. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 September 1919
Letter, 25 September 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a table, news of Tovey's composition, comment on interesting visit 'South', and news of Mrs. Tovey. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 October 1919
Letter, 19 October 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Wishing Miss. Weisse a Happy Birthday, comments on the start of the University term, especially on a gifted violin player, suggestion that his work be called a music-drama rather than grand opera, and notes on the Ms. of the work. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed paper.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 November 1925
Postcard, 26 November 1924, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Announcement of Tovey's forthcoming marriage to Clara Wallace. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Lady Walker from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 May 1930
Postcard, 3 May 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lady Walker. Sympathising over her husbands illness. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Rontgen, 16 October 1922
Postcard, 16 October 1922, Amsterdam, A. Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Encouraging the Tovey's to vist Johannes and giving im their address. Holograph signed.