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 347 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Achille Simonetti, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Achille Simonetti to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance and essay on the Goldberg variations, arranging rehearsals for Simonetti and Mr. Blumenthal. Holograph signed, with annotation in blue ink by Miss Weisse.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adila Adrienne Adalbertina Maria Fachiri, c04 February 1938
Letter, 4 February 1938, London, Adila Fachiri to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's letter in 'The Times', and thanking him for his help and teaching. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adila Adrienne Adalbertina Maria Fachiri, c1929
Letter, [n.d], London, Adila Fachiri to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a message of encouragement before a performance, and a description of the performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adila Adrienne Adalbertina Maria Fachiri, 21 November 1931
Letter, 21 November 1932, London, Adila Fachiri to Donald Tovey . Expressing disappointment at missing Tovey and inviting Tovey to London. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 September 1932
Letter, 23 September 1932, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's illness, Radio broadcasts and the death of Rontgen and Tovey's obituary for him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 February 1934
Letter, 23 February 1934, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at being awarded a doctorate from Edinburgh University, and describing rehearsals of Tovey's variations in Bristol. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 30 October 1930
Letter, 30 October 1930, London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Thanking the Tovey's of their offer of hospitality and details of Schweitzer's time of arrival and engagements. Holograph signed, letter accompanied by English translation.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 06 November 1938
Letter, 6 November 1938, London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Reminiscing over times spent with the Tovey's in Edinburgh and discussing the publication of Schweitzer's book, 'African Stories'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, c 1935
Letter, [n.d], London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his concert in Oxford to raise funds for Schweitzer's hospital and discussing Tovey's plans to play in Barcelona. Holograph signed, with black and white picture postcard of Schweitzer's hospital at Lambarene.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alexander Pandelli Fachiri, c28 November 1925
Letter, 28 November 1925, London, Alexander Fachiri to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his engagement. Holograph signed.