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 W. Wainsupp, 04 March 1931
Letter, 4 March 1931, Edinburgh, W. Wainsupp to Donald Tovey. Sympathising with Tovey's confinement due to illness assuring Tovey that the Reid Orchestra will perform well without him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Taylor, 30 April 1923
Letter, 30 April 1923, Edinburgh, William Taylor to Donald Tovey. Offering sympathy over the illness of Tovey's sister-in-law, and details of the Reid concert season and Tovey's correspondence. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Taylor, c1933
Letter, [1933], Edinburgh, William Taylor to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's sister-in-law's health. Holograph signed, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 May 1939
Letter, 28 May 1939, Suffolk, Donald Francis Tovey to Thomas Armstrong. Informing of arrival in Edinburgh. Typescript.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Fanny Behrens, 14 November 1940
Letter, 14 November 1940, Manchester, Fanny Behrens to Sophie Weisse. Alerting Miss. Weisse to an article about Tovey's 'absolute ear', news of Behrens recovery and of her sons. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 26 July 1939
Letter, 26 July 1939, Robert Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that a German doctor is treating Tovey and will give an opinion on Tovey's illness. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 12 October 1892
Letter, 12 October 1892, Oxford, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Sympathy over Tovey's crooked spine, details of Parry's engagements, and comment on a musical fund for scholars. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Frances Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing Tovey's indigestion, asking for advice concerning the performance of Tovey's violin sonata at the Oxford University musical club. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Explaining to Miss Weisse that Tovey can not work at the moment, news that Bray is feeling run down as well. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 December 1893
Letter, [1 December 1893], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for various things, discussing Tovey's copies of music scores, and the fact that Tovey is suffering from a cold. Photocopy of Holograph signed.