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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Lionel Tertis, 03 December 1930
Letter, 3 December 1930, Surrey, Lionel Tertis to Mary Grierson. Praising an orchestral performance, and expressing Tertis' enjoyment at playing with the orchestra, mentioning Boult's courage at suggesting a second performance and disappointment at Tovey's absence. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, cApril 1934
Letter, [April 1934], Barcelona, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Request to send prospectuses and programmes to Lord Balfour and Miss. Balfour. Holograph signed.
letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1936
letter, 19 May 1936, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for forthcoming season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 11 October 1935
Letter, 11 October 1935, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Miss. Weisses brothers death, requesting that Grierson get a ticket for the Reid concert series and a description of Tovey's parents last years. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 14 September 1936
Letter, 14 September 1936, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Expressing the feeling that Tovey is a character in a Greek tragedy, requesting a subscription seat to The Reid concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 August 1901
Letter, 6 August 1901, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer. Suggestion of a programme for the Soldat quartet. Holograph signed, L139 - L142 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 April 1908
Letter, 8 April 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Notes for concert programme. Holograph signed, pencil notes to accompany L170, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 April 1908
Letter, 21 April 1908, Cannes, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Plan for concert programme. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 December 1908
Letter, 17 December 1908, London, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Covering note for Concert programme notes. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 April 1909
Letter, 22 April 1909, Utrecht, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concerning a concert involving Casals and Lady Halle. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.