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 49 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Klaus, 01 February 1937
Letter, 1 February 1937, Klaus to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Klaus can not perform in Russia because of political reasons, and thanking Tovey for sending Cadenza's. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 02 October 1936
Letter, 2 October 1936, Rottingdean, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to suggest a tune for a song. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Murray Coutts-Trotter, 19 October 1917
Letter, 19 October 1917, Madras, Murray Coutts-Trotter to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the orchestra Coutts-Trotter has set up and requesting orchestral parts, also informing Tovey of the death of his mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Novello Co. Ltd., 21 February 1936
Letter, 21 February 1936, London, Novello & Co. Ltd. to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Novello are taking Handel's `The ways of Zion do mourn' out of circulation because of inaccuracies in the copy. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 15 March 1935
Letter, 15 March 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. asking Tovey to send a corrected score to Casals and Arbos, the conductor, for the Madrid performance of Tovey's work on April 17. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 25 January 1937
Letter, 25 January 1937, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Note concerning the fingering, and bow strokes for Tovey's concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Finnie McEwen, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Berwickshire, Robert Finnie McEwen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a lost score and offering Tovey help. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, c1898
Letter, [1898], Hampshire, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to put a poem, about a farewell at a station, to music. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Granville Ransome Bantock from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 1924
Letter, [1924], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Granville Bantock. Request for a signature and discussing a new volume of Bach. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 10 December 1906
Letter, 10 December 1906, Gloucester, Hubert Parry to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a letter, a full score and news about Tovey. Holograph signed.