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 A. Lascalles, 22 March 1922
Letter, 22 March 1922, London, A. Lascalles to Donald Tovey. Outlining plans to produce Foulds world requiem in St. Pauls, backed by the Prince of Wales. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Leutzberg, 23 May 1905
Letter, 23 May 1905, Coln, A. Leutzberg to Donald Tovey. Requesting a concert programme for a concert Tovey is giving in Cologne for a Mr. Steinbach. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adila Adrienne Adalbertina Maria Fachiri, 09 May 1929
Letter, 9 May 1929, Madrid, Adila Fachiri to Donald Tovey. Apologising for not coming to Edinburgh and details of Adila's tours. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alexander Brent-Smith, 18 June 1921
Letter, 18 June 1921, Sussex, Alexander Brent-Smith to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey perform some of Brent-Smiths works in the forthcoming season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Annie Friedberg, 20 November 1924
Letter, 20 November 1924, New York, Annie Friedberg to Donald Tovey. Arranging a signing of contracts, suggesting that Tovey play at a festival and give recitals in Boston and New York. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Annie Friedberg, 14 August 1925
Letter, 14 August 1925, New York, Annie Friedberg to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a letter, and confirmation of the change of dates for a concert at the Aolian hall. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Annie Friedberg, 14 October 1925
Letter, 14 October 1925, New York, Annie Friedberg to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey inform Friedberg of his whereabouts , arranging hotel accommodation in New York, confirming Tovey's invitation to the Steinway reception. Typescript incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 14 January 1927
Letter, 14 January 1927, Prestonkirk, Arthur James Balfour to Donald Tovey . Apologising for causing trouble and a suggestion that the orchestra should play Mozart's Jupiter symphony. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the Joachim concerts, suggesting the Queens Hall as the venue, the London Orchestra and Tovey as conductor, guarantee of money and suggestions for pianists. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Borwick], c1920
Letter, [n.d], [Borwick] to Donald Tovey. Suggestions that a Chopin piece would be appropriate for a concert, and apologies for missing a demonstration by Tovey. Holograph incomplete.