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 Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936
Letter, [1936], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes concerning a commemoration of Lord Murray, and publication of three volumes of a work by Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 June 1937
Letter, 27 June 1937, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Requesting information concerning music scholarships, words to a ninth symphony etc.. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 April 1937
Letter, 7 April 1937, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning a student who wishes to join the music faculty and an attempt to secure Swoboda for a concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 01 June 1939
Letter, 1 June 1939, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Covering letter for honours degree examinations in music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Tovey, c1928
Letter, [1928], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Arranging for John Powell to play with the Reid and a discussion of the Schubert C major symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Messrs. Paterson from The Hispanic Society of America, 11 April 1922
Letter, 11 April 1922, London, The Hispanic Society of America to Messrs. Paterson, Sons & Co.. Requesting a copy of Tovey's ' Beethoven's Ninth Symphony: An essay in musical analysis', and enquiring after Tovey's previous essays. Typescript.
Letter to Mr Craxton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, 6 June [n.y.], London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr Craxton. Concerning corrections to previous written works. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Mr. Lee Ashton. Offering advice for a musical examination. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mrs. Tovey from Emily Ritchie, 08 December 1928
Letter, 8 December 1928, London, Emily Ritchie to Mrs. Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on an 'enchanting' performance of a Haydn work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mrs Wallace from Sir Donald Franicis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], [Surrey], Donald Tovey to Mrs Wallace. Thanking Mrs Wallace for her hospitality and describing a performance of "School for Scandal". Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.