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 34 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, c 1921
Letter, [1908], Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey demonstrate a common courtesy, and pointing out Miss. Weisse's failings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 10 September 1908
Letter, 10 September 1908, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Suggestions for improvements of Act 1 of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 20 September 1908
Letter, 20 September 1908, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. The Prose introduction to Ariadne, after edit. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 23 September 1908
Letter, 23 September 1908, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. A plan for the words of the ' Dionysus duet', news of the Trevelyan family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 06 September 1909
Letter, 6 September 1909, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Plans for the script of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 03 October 1910
Letter, 3 October 1910, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Notes on the script for ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 20 October 1910
Letter, 20 October 1910, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Discussion and plans for the opening of Act III of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 18 January 1910
Letter, 18 January 1910, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Outlining in detail Trevelyan's plans for Act III of 'The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 03 November 1916
Letter, 3 November 1916, Surrey, R. C. Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Agreeing to act as trustee to Miss. Weisse's will. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 July 1926
Postcard, 27 July 1926, Plymouth, Donald Tovey to Robert Trevelyan. Notes about the 'Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed, on black and white postcard of the smoking room, Cunard R. M. S. Laconia '.