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, 10 November 1911
Letter, 10 November 1911, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Complaining about concert advertising. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1912
Letter, [1912], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Complaining about concert agents, 'The Smiths'. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Expressing in detail Tovey's dissatisfaction with the constitution of the Classical concert society. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 25 September 1901
Letter, 25 September 1901, Surrey, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Edward Speyer. Acceptance of an invitation to stay. Holograph signed, L139 - L142 sewn together.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c27 June 1910
Letter, [27 June 1910], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Criticism of articles in The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Holograph in pencil.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [1900], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph signed.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1905
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Ferdinand Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 July 1903
Letter, 13 July 1903, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Ferdinand Speyer. Congratulating Ferdinand on winning the Nettleship scholarship, Balliol College Oxford and offering advice.. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Friedrich Niecks from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c28 June 1900
Letter, 28 June [n.y], Donald Tovey to Friedrich Niecks. Offering to play a programmes of Niecks choosing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Ganzer Mann from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 01 July 1903
Letter, [July 1903], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Ganzer Mann. Writing about Mann's marriage and their forthcoming meeting. Holograph.