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, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing Tovey's anxiety over his tiredness and inability to study. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 May 1898
Letter, 5 May 1898, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing a concern for Miss. Weisse, informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's ill health, and a report on Tovey's studies. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 May 1898
Letter, 5 May 1898, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing a concern for Miss. Weisse, informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's ill health, and a report on Tovey's studies. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 December 1901
Letter, 23 December 1901, Bonn, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of the nursing Tovey is receiving, his health and concern for ' the Princess '. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1905
Letter, [1905], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concern over Miss. Weisse's mothers illness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c25 December 1906
Letter, [25 December 1906], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's Christmas and his mothers illness. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 April 1919
Letter, 22 April 1919, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Arranging to meet Miss. Weisse, hint of Tovey's wife's condition and comments on church music Tovey has heard recently. Holograph signed, paper headed ' Hotel Victory, Leicester Square, W.C. 2.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 25 April 1920
Letter, [25 April 1920], Kent, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on the progress of the opera, comments on Tovey's wife's condition, and details of copying a vocal score. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 May 1922
Letter, [May 1922], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's wife's recovery, details of forthcoming engagements and discussion of the status of the music faculty within the University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Canstatt, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's receipt of a letter from Lady Berry and a discussion of Tovey's illness. Holograph signed.