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 67 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 20 June 1938
Letter, 20 June 1938, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning music scholarships. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 14 July 1938
Letter, 14 July 1938, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerned with a leaving presentation for a member of staff. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1938
Letter, 1938, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Hans Gals's discovery of a Haydn symphony in the Reid music library, and details of forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 01 June 1939
Letter, 1 June 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of exam papers, details of visitors to Edinburgh. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 11 June 1939
Letter, 11 June 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming Reid concerts. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 18 October 1939
Letter, 18 October 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Description of a horn player, Brichard Coar. Part typescript, part holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 06 November 1939
Letter, 6 November 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concerts. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of history examination paper, and request that Granville Bantock visit Tovey in Norwich. Holograph signed.
Letter to MaryGardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 August 1937
Letter, 2 August 1937, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on Bantock work to be performed. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Miss Boyle from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 September 1931
Letter, 17 September 1931, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Miss Boyle. A criticism of Miss Boyle's musical work and of contemporary music in general. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.