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 Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Percy Such, 30 April 1919
Letter, 30 April 1919, London, Percy Such to Robert Trevelyan. Asking if Tovey has shown his opera score to Beecham, who is in Edinburgh looking out for English works. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robin Humphrey Legge from William Strecker, 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, William Strecker to Robin Legge. Asking for Legge's patronage of Tovey and praising the composer, suggesting there is no living composer who has written and is likely to write Chamber Music like Tovey. Typescript, first page of L2488.
Letter to Robin Legge Esq. from Augner Ltd., 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, Augner Ltd. to Robin Legge Esq.. Praising the work of a composer and musician [Tovey], enclosing reviews of the latest performances of his works and a prospectus of the Chelsea concerts, and expressing the hope that the artist will be supported by the English public. Typescript incomplete, first page of letter, L2501.
Letter to Sidney Newman from Hubert James Foss, 28 November 1943
Letter, 28 November 1943, London, Hubert Foss to Sidney Newman. Concerning circulars for the Tovey memorial. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey and Clara Tovey from Marga Denecke, c28 January 1923
Letter, 28 January 1923, London, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey and Clara Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance at The Wigmore hall and news of Adolf Busch. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey and Robert Calverey Trevelyan from W Clarkson, 15 March 1929
Letter, 15 March 1929, London, W. Clarkson To [ Donald Tovey and R. C. Trevelyan]. Concerning the price of wig hire for the ' Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Corbett-Smith, 23 July 1921
Letter, 23 July 1921, London, A. Corbett-Smith to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey could offer Corbett - Smith's wife another engagement before November. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Corbett-Smith, 30 December 1921
Letter, 30 December 1921, London, A. Corbett-Smith to Donald Tovey. Plans for the creation of a national opera, and a request that Tovey represent Edinburgh in meetings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Lascalles, 22 March 1922
Letter, 22 March 1922, London, A. Lascalles to Donald Tovey. Outlining plans to produce Foulds world requiem in St. Pauls, backed by the Prince of Wales. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Middleton, 16 October 1939
Letter, 16 October 1939, London, A. Middleton to Donald Tovey. Concern over Tovey's arthritis, informing Tovey that his nephew has recently moved to Edinburgh and asking if Tovey will make their acquaintance. Holograph signed.