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 Geoffrey [Parratt] from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 October 1924
Letter, 9 October 1924, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Geoffrey [Parratt]. Notes on research Tovey has done and ideas he has put together for a book. Ms. Transcript, by Hubert Foss.
Letter to George Reginald Barnes from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 10 June 1939
Letter, 10 June 1939, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to the British Broadcasting Corporation. Invitation to suggest a subject for the National Lecture. Typescript photocopy.
Letter to Gwen Tovey from Clara Tovey, c 09 December 1940
Letter, 9 December [n.d], Edinburgh, Clara Tovey to Gwen. Thanking Gwen for her letter, and outlining the idea behind Foss' biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Arthur G. Reekie, 05 December 1932
Letter, 5 December 1932, Edinburgh, Arthur G. Reekie to Hubert Foss. Recounting memories of Tovey and praising the great man. Typescript signed.
letter to Hubert James Foss from Fanny Pyatt, 03 December 1941
letter, 3 December 1941, Edinburgh, Fanny Pyatt to Hubert Foss. Describing Morris Meredith Williams' oil painting of the Edinburgh quartet, with Tovey at the piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Isabelle Duff, 01 December 1941
Letter, 1 December 1941, Edinburgh, Isabelle Duff to [Hubert Foss]. Describing fond memories of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from John B. R. Whitfield, 20 January 1947
Letter, 20 January 1947, Edinburgh, John B. R. Whitfield to Hubert Foss. Describing a letter Tovey sent to Whitfield while Whitfield was student at Edinburgh University working towards an honours degree in music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Lee Ashton, 05 May 1942
Letter, 5 May 1942, Edinburgh, Lee Ashton to Hubert Foss. Covering letter for letters from Tovey to Lee Ashton. Typescript signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 03 December 1941
Letter, 3 December 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Agreeing to write down recollections of Tovey, enclosing a letter from Tovey, and memories of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Covering letter for letters from Tovey, informing Foss of the wealth of material Baily has on the Bride of Dionysus, suggesting she write down her reminiscences of Tovey. Holograph signed.