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:
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 22 February 1922
Postcard, 22 February 1922, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to comment on Rontgen's music and describing performances of his film. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 13 December 1923
Postcard, 13 December 1923, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to sort out pictures at George Square. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 November 1919
Postcard, 1 November 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Note of first success of first Reid concert, praising Fanny Davies performance, and Tovey's address in Birmingham. Holograph signed.
Telegram to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1914
Telegram, Windsor, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Notification of what train Tovey will be on. Transcript.
Telegram to Mrs. Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1937
Telegram, 1937, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mrs. Speyer. Praising Edward Speyers book "My life and friends". Typescript.
Telegram to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Clara Tovey, 11 July 1940
Telegram, 11 July 1940, Edinburgh, Clara Tovey to Robert C. Trevelyan. Informing Trevelyan of Tovey's death and of the date of the memorial service. Ms. Transcript.