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 90 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Leonard C. Somervell, 06 March 1952
Letter, 6 March 1952, Kendal, Leonard C. Somervell to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Mabel McCormick, 27 March 1952
Letter, 27 March 1952, London, Mabel McCormick to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Margaret. N. O Baily, 25 May 1952
Letter, 25 May 1952, Edinburgh, Margaret. N. O Baily to Mary Grierson. Advertising lectures on opera, suggesting the University music faculty do some preparatory festival work, praising Grierson's biography on Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Margaret Read, 15 November 1952
Letter, 13 November 1952, Margaret Read to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, requesting a copy of Tovey's cello concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Mary Jane Gillies Whittaker, 23 March 1952
Letter, 23 March 1952, Edinburgh, Mary Whittaker to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and describing memories of Tovey and his contemporaries. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Nancie Murray, c1952
Letter, [n.d], [Edinburgh], Nancie Murray to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Oxford University Press, 18 January 1952
Letter, 18 January 1952, London, A. Peacock, for Geoffrey Cumberlege, Oxford University Press to Mary Grierson. Sending Grierson an early copy of her book on Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Patricia, 28 March 1952
Letter, 28 March 1952, Bristol, Patricia to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, and news of Patricia's family and her life in Bristol. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peggie Sampson, c 17 April 1952
Letter, 17 April [n.y], Winnipeg, Peggie Sampson to Mary Grierson. Enclosing a review of Grierson's biography of Tovey, praising the work and news from Canada. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peter Charles Arthur Wishart, 06 June 1952
Letter, 6 May 1952, Birmingham, Peter Wishart to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, empathising with Tovey's struggles and a discussion of music teaching. Holograph signed.