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 98 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 March 1905
Letter, 17 March 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Complaining about musical agents 'The Smiths'. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 March 1905
Letter, 20 March 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Explaining the letter of complaint Tovey wrote to 'The Smiths', concert agents. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 February 1907
Letter, February 1907, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Requesting that Speyer sing in a Chelsea concert. Holograph signed, L162 - L166 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1908
Letter, [1908], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Suggestions for concert programme. Holograph signed, L169 - L175 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 April 1908
Letter, 8 April 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Plan for concert programme. Holograph signed, L169 - L175 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 April 1908
Letter, 8 April 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Notes for concert programme. Holograph signed, pencil notes to accompany L170, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 July 1908
Letter, 30 July 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Consoling Speyer over his sons University career. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 April 1910
Letter, 7 April 1910, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Plan for forthcoming concert. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1910
Letter, 9 April 1910, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Complaining about his status in the concerts. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1911
Letter, [1911], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description and evaluation of unnamed singer. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.