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 80 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 June 1924
Letter, 7 June 1924, Liverpool, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of the Reid orchestra and details of the arts course in music at Edinburgh University. Holograph signed.
Note to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 01 June 1891
Note, 1 June 1891, James Higgs To Sophie Weisse. Requesting that Miss. Weisse tell Tovey that Higgs is expecting good work from him. Ms. Transcript, by Sophie Weisse, written on the back of a signed part of a letter from James Higgs.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 05 June 1896
Postcard, 5 June 1896, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey that Mary has a low voice. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 08 August 1921
Postcard, 8 August 1921, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Expressing Miss. Weisse's belief in Tovey's work in Edinburgh. Holograph signed, stamped, date from postmark.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 February 1895
Postcard, 21 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Requesting that Miss Weisse send a telegram authorising that Tovey concentrate solely on one area of work. Holograph signed, with two telegrams, with envelope.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 October 1895
Postcard, 14 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of life at Oxford. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 September 1905
Postcard, 15 September 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Encouraging Steinbach ' to take Tovey on '. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 September 1905
Postcard, 6 September 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's studies of Chopin, Brahms and Beethoven and his busy schedule. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 August 1905
Postcard, 18 August 1905, Marlow, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's decision not to musically influence Kelly. Holograph signed.
Receipt to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 29 March 1890
Receipt, 29 March 1890, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Receipt for รบ3.30, the cost of Tovey's music lessons. Holograph signed.