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 Hugh Godley from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Hugh Godley. Stating reasons for retiral as adviser to the Classical Concert society. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Hugh Godley from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Hugh Godley. Stating reasons for retiral as adviser to the Classical Concert society. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Joseph Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Joseph Joachim. Birthday greeting and composition. Holograph, with two lines of music, with annotations in red ink by Sophie Weisse.
Letter to Joseph Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Joseph Joachim. Invitation to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour. Thanking Lady Balfour for money, and description of a performance. Holograph, unfinished.
Letter to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour. A letter of thanks. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Lord Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1908
Letter, [1908], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Arranging meetings, concerts and programmes. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mary Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 18 June 1898
Letter, 18 June 1898, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Tovey. News of Tovey, suggesting he would have got a better class of degree had he worked harder. Holograph signed.
Letter to Miss Liddell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, cJuly 1904
Letter, [July 1904], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Miss Liddell. Outlining project on choral design. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Mr. Leslie from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Leslie. Asking about the programme for the Broadwood concerts. Holograph incomplete.