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 237 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 21 September 1924
Letter, 21 September 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for suggestions for the following summers letters and concerts, and news from Santa Barbara. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cyril Pearce, 28 March 1939
Letter, 28 March 1939, Norwich, Cyril Pearce to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey play a Bach D Minor Concerto instead of a Mozart piece. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cyril Pearce, 14 June 1937
Letter, 14 June 1937, Norwich, Cyril Pearce to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for agreeing to be President of the Norwich Chamber Orchestra and a programme for the coming season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr Mary Gardner Grierson, 04 June 1926
Letter, 4 June 1926, Edinburgh, Mary Grierson to Donald Tovey. Considerations for forthcoming concerts, including Mahler, symphony No. 4, Unlikeliness of getting Cassado, suggestions for a piece to be played at a Sunday concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr Mary Gardner Grierson, 28 October 1938
Letter, 28 October 1938, Edinburgh, Mary Grierson to Donald Tovey. Requesting some written work to publish in a concert programme, news of concerts and concern about Tovey's hands. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Plans for performances of a Russian and Hungarian ballet, directed by John Christie. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Eddie Marsh, c07 July 1900
Letter, 7 July 1900, [London], Eddie Marsh to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for informing Marsh of concerts and booking two stalls. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Rontgen, 02 April 1925
Letter, 2 April 1925, Holland, Edward Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Rontgen use Tovey's notes for a performance of the 9th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 22 July 1908
Letter, 22 July 1908, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to inform Speyer of his time of arrival and arrangements for a concert programme to be printed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 16 August 1908
Letter, 16 August 1908, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Expressing disappointment at not seeing Tovey, news of Soldat's solos for a forthcoming concert and asking for Tovey's advice on the programme. Holograph signed.