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 27 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dorothy Parratt, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Windsor, Nathalie, Emma and Dorothy Parratt. Thanking Tovey for sending a lovely gift on the death of Walter Parratt. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edith F. Ewart, 10 February 1934
Letter, 10 February 1934, Curdridge, Edith F. Ewart to Donald Tovey. Writing about the death of her husband Jack and thanking Tovey for his letter of condolences. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 13 January 1910
Letter, 13 January 1910, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Outlining plans for two pupils of Miss Fullinger to play at a concert at the Bechstein Hall, asking Tovey to accompany them, news of the death of Rudolph von der Seyen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 25 November 1916
Letter, 25 November 1916, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Expressing the Speyers distress at the news of Cleggs death 'at the front', and praise for Clegg. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Eusebius Mandyczewski, c29 July 1920
Letter, 29 July 1920, Mandyczewsiki to Donald Tovey. Praise for Tovey, and describing the value of Tovey's friendship, and sympathy over Tovey's fathers death. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from G. M. Sharpey Schafer, 01 June 1935
Letter, 1 June 1935, Winchester, G. M. Sharpey Schafer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his sympathy at the time of Sharpey Schafer's fathers death. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerald Warre Cornish, 31 January 1939
Letter, 31 January 1939, London, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his new quartet and offering condolences after he death of Tovey's mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Mackinnon, 29 March 1930
Letter, 29 March 1930, Edinburgh, J. Mackinnon to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a sympathy note after a bereavement and playing a Beethoven piece at the crematorium. Holograph signed.
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 Lady Cecilia Warre Cornish, c30 August 1920
Letter, 30 August 1920, Surrey, Cecilia Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter of sympathy concerning Warre-Cornish's father. Holograph signed.