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 256 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 February 1932
Letter, 23 February 1932, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Lee Ashton. Explanation for resignation from the International Society of Musicians. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr. Lodge from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 April 1918
Letter, 12 April 1918, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mr. Lodge. Report of years expenses and finances. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mr Paget from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 February 1936
Letter, 20 February 1936, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mr. Paget. In sympathy after the death of Mr. Paget's mother. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Reeves from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Reeves. List of people to be sent a copy of Tovey's edition of Bach's XLVIII. Holograph.
Letter to Mrs. Baily from [ Endeaelum], 16 December 1941
Letter, 16 December 1941, Edinburgh, [ Endeaelum] to Mrs. Baily. Answering a query concerning a Canticulum that was sung at club meetings when Tovey was present. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mrs Baily from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, March 1929
Letter, [ March 1929 ], Edinburgh, Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs. Baily. Opera, especially Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde ". Ms. transcript by Hubert James Foss.
Letter to Mrs Baily from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 October 1931
Letter, 25 October 1931, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mrs Baily. Discussing Tovey's chances of being involved in a radio broadcast. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss
Letter to Mrs. Baily from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 March 1932
Letter, 5 March 1932, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mrs. Baily. Thanking Mrs. Baily for giving a lecture on The Bride of Dionysus. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Paul Hindemith from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Paul Hindemith. Thanking Hindemith for his letter and inviting him to visit. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charel Guthrie, 24 May 1929
Letter, 24 May 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning the finances of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript signed.