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 Jean Kennedy from H. A. Scott, 20 July 1939
Letter, 20 July 1939, London, H. A. Scott to Jean Kennedy. Hoping that Tovey recovers soon and enclosing a schedule of latest dates articles for the Encyclopaedia Brittanica may be received. Typescript signed.
Letter to John Christie from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to John Christie. Reply to an invitation. Typescript copy.
Letter to John Herbert Foulds from Dame Emma Maud MacCarthy, c1923
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud MacCarthy to John Foulds. Discussing the possibility of performing Foulds' work. Holograph signed, incomplete, see also Maud Foulds.
Letter to Lady Mabel Emily McCormick from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 04 April 1930
Letter, 4 April 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lady McCormick. Letter of condolences after the death of Lord McCormick. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Lady Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, c 01 December 1935
Letter, [December 1935], London, Albert Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Remembering time spent at Lady Tovey's, concern over her husbands hands and good wishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Tovey from Helene Schweitzer, 15 December 1935
Letter, 15 December 1935, London, Helene Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Expressing concern over the health of Tovey's hands, reminiscing over happy times the Tovey's and Schweitzer's have shared. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Describing the season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 June 1900
Letter, 14 June [n.y], London, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Arranging musicians for following seasons concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord William Symington McCormick from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lord McCormick. Request to help John Foulds. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson and Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1925
Letter, [1925], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson and Lord Murray. Concerning a conductors fee for Tovey, when conducting the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed.