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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Helene and Albert Schweitzer, 11 April 1929
Letter, 11 April 1929, Baden, Helene and Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. News of Schweitzer's immense burden of work and his ill health, and news that Schweitzer will not be able to come to Scotland. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 26 August 1932
Letter, 26 August 1932, Northumberland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Concern over Tovey's health, news of composition work and of performing the compositions. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John [Knope], 16 July 1918
Letter, 16 July 1918, Edinburgh, John [Knope] to Donald Tovey. Sympathising with Tovey's severe cold. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Kenneth Anderson, 09 December 1928
Letter, 9 December 1928, Edinburgh, Kenneth Anderson to Donald Tovey. Describing a performance that Tovey could not attend because of ill health and wishing Tovey a speedy recovery. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Lionel Tertis, 01 December 1932
Letter, 1 December 1932, Edinburgh, Lionel Tertis to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his telegram, wishing Tovey a speedy recovery, and praising Tovey's concert notes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Lucy Sklovsky, 16 May 1922
Letter, 16 May 1922, Edinburgh, Lucy Sklovsky to Donald Tovey. News of Slovsky's family, an outbreak of Scarlet fever and a production of Carmen. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Sir Donald Francis Tovey] from M. Henderson, 05 June 1923
Letter, 5 June 1923, London, M. Henderson to [Donald Tovey]. Concerning the health of Mrs. Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 27 January 1937
Letter, 27 January 1937, Rottingdean, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Description of Baring's ill-health, suggesting that Tovey should answer his critics by writing something new, not by Baring's writing to the press in defence of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from N. Fiddes Wilson, 22 January 1921
Letter, 22 January 1921, Hawick, N. Fiddes Wilson. Explaining why Fiddes Wilson can not receive visitors. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Rosamund Brunel Horsley Gotch, c20 May 1920
Letter, 20 May 1920 [n.y], Oxford, Rosamund B. Gotch to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that the Gotch house is in a state of quarantine, due to a bout of diphtheria. Holograph signed.