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 99 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 September 1922
Letter, [September 1922], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Criticism of Dickens and news of Tovey's illness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 August 1923
Letter, August 1923, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the treatment for Tovey's skin condition and the price of treatment, news of Swoboda, . Holograph signed in pencil, incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Unknown, 01 August 1939
Letter, August 1939, London, Unknown to Sophie Weisse. Describing the authors illness and medicine prescribed by Dr. Dickson. Holograph, written on the back of a poem in German.
Letter to Stuart Deas from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 October 1937
Letter, 26 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Stuart Deas. Informing Deas of his ill health. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from F. W. Deas.
Postcard to Lady Walker from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 May 1930
Postcard, 3 May 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lady Walker. Sympathising over her husbands illness. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frances Busch, 17 August 1935
Postcard, 17 August 1935, Salzburg, Frances Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing concern over Tovey's illness and wishing him a speedy recovery. Holograph signed, with black and white picture of Salzburg.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 28 February 1923
Postcard, 28 February 1923, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Miss. Weisse is not well enough to go to a rectorial address, but will attend a luncheon . Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1900
Postcard, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey if anything is wrong, after Mr. Forbes has suggested Tovey is working too hard. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 August 1905
Postcard, 16 August 1905, Marlow, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of how Tovey is feeling. Holograph signed.