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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. P. Pemberton, 02 September 1907
Letter, 2 September 1907, Cambridge, J. P. Pemberton to Doald Tovey. Offering Tovey sympathy over the death of Joachim. Holograph signed, annotated in blue ink by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1892
Letter, [1892], Cambridge, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey on how to get to Worplesdon, and to pack everything. Typescript copy, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter R. Spalding, 09 November 1925
Letter, 9 November 1925, Massachusetts, Walter R. Spalding to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a lecture at Harvard University and a note about Spaldings book on music appreciation. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Raymond Spalding, 20 October 1925
Letter, 20 October 1925, Massachusetts, Walter R. Spalding to Donald Tovey. Outlining arrangements for Tovey's lecture on Beethoven's ninth symphony at Harvard University. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 April 1891
Letter, 27 April 1891, Cambridge, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey, a request for music paper. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 November 1898
Letter, 20 November 1898, Cambridge, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey will go to the Brahms concert, explaining his circumstances and requesting that Miss. Weisse send Tovey his compositions. Holograph signed, with annotation in red ink by Sophie Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 November 1898
Letter, [20 November 1898], Cambridge, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey will go to the Brahms concert, explaining his circumstances and requesting that Miss. Weisse send Tovey his compositions. Typescript copy of 520.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 December 1898
Letter, 3 December 1898, Cambridge, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering note. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 December 1898
Letter, 3 December 1898, Cambridge, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering note. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Unknown, 03 October 1909
Letter, 3 October 1909, Cambridge, Unknown to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey. Holograph unfinished.