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 32 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936
Letter, [1936], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on the Reid choir and orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Finnie McEwen from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 February 1922
Letter, 14 February 1922, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Robert Finnie McEwen. Complaining about the poor way the Reid Orchestra is treated. Ms. Transcript, Paper embossed ' House of Commons Library'.
Letter to Rosalind [Maitland] from Clara Tovey, c 09 January 1940
Letter, 9 January [1940], West Baldock, Clara Tovey to Rosalind [Maitland]. Concerning a Tovey committee in London, Rosalind's gift to the orchestra, news of Lady Tovey's illness and of Tovey's memorials. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Camillo Ritter, 16 September 1919
Letter, 16 September 1919, Glasgow, Camillo Ritter to Donald Tovey. Discussing the orchestra, the establishment of an advisory committee, and comment on Tovey's opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Camillo Ritter, 12 September 1919
Letter, 12 September 1919, Glasgow, Camillo Ritter to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey if Ritter is to be part of Tovey's orchestral scheme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edith F Ewart, 25 December 1922
Letter, 25 December 1922, London, Mrs. Ewart to Donald Tovey. Christmas greetings and a description of the progress of the Penicuik and district orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edith F. Ewart, 16 March 1923
Letter, 16 March 1923, Midlothian, Edith F. Ewart to Donald Tovey. Asking what edition of Bach's G minor Sonata for violin and piano to get, news of a new recruit for the Reid Orchestra and of the Penicuik orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 08 October 1932
Letter, 8 October 1932, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Expressing joy at the news of Tovey's recovery, news of a visit from the Busch quartet and other news. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. V. Rushforth, 21 April 1936
Letter, 21 April 1936, Edinburgh, F. V. Rushforth to Donald Tovey. Covering note for photos of the Reid orchestra, congratulations on the performance and news of Rushforth's daughter in Munich. Holograph signed, with envelope containing two photo's of the Reid Orchestra and one of Donald Tovey.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Granville Bantock, 17 December 1918
Letter, 17 December 1918, Birmingham, Granville Bantock to Donald Tovey. Information relating to Bantock's orchestra as requested by Tovey. Holograph signed.