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 Peter Mooney, 28 February 1952
Letter, 28 February 1952, Paisley, Peter Mooney to Mary Grierson. Congratulating Grierson on completing her biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ralph Vaughan Williams, 11 October 1950
Letter, 11 October 1950, Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Expressing the hope that Grierson will describe Tovey's help to Vaughan Williams. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ralph Vaughan Williams, c 28 February 1952
Letter, 28 February [n.y], Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's book and pointing out an error concerning Mona Benson. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Robert Bruce, 02 April 1952
Letter, 2 April 1952, Chepstow, Robert Bruce to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Roger Oliver, 04 March 1952
Letter, 4 March 1952, London, Roger Oliver to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and Tovey himself. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ronald Kinloch Anderson, 03 April 1952
Letter, 3 April 1952, Edinburgh, Ronald Kinloch Anderson to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography on Tovey and reminiscing over times spent with Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Thea Hunter, 27 April 1952
Letter, 27 April 1952, Paris, Thea Hunter to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and news of Hunter's holidays in Italy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Tom Williams, 25 June 1952
Letter, 25 June 1952, Vernet - Les - Bains, Tom Williams to Mary Grierson. Describing Williams time as a student in Edinburgh and expressing interest in Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Vera Holmes, 19 April 1952
Letter, 19 April 1952, Vera Holmes to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from W. G. Fleming, 28 February 1952
Letter, 28 February 1952, Edinburgh, W. G. Fleming to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.