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 64 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Norman Peterkin, 27 January 1945
Letter, 27 January 1945, London, Norman Peterkin to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning a meeting with Grierson to discuss the biography of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Norman Peterkin, 19 December 1946
Letter, 19 December 1946, London, Norman Peterkin to Robert Trevelyan. Discussing the production of a Tovey biography by either Foss or Grierson. Typescript signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Norman Peterkin, 01 February 1947
Letter, 1 February 1947, London, Norman Peterkin to Robert Trevelyan. Informing Trevelyan that Grierson is dedicating time to writing a biography on Tovey and that John Tovey has offered her financial help and that Oxford University Press have offered assistance. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 21 August 1928
Letter, 21 August 1928, Strasbourg, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Concerning Tovey's dedication of 'The Art of the Fugue' to Schweitzer, enclosing a copy of Schweitzer's book and thanking Tovey for collaborating on the work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arnold Schering, 11 March 1925
Letter, 11 March 1925, Halle, Arnold Schering to Donald Tovey. Requesting a copy of Tovey's new edition of Bach's 'well tempered piano' for inclusion in the Bach yearbook which Shering publishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 19 November 1921
Letter, 19 November 1921, London, A. H. Fox Strangways to Donald Tovey. Asking that Tovey proof and return his ' excellent' article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 20 January 1939
Letter, 20 January 1939, London, A. H. Fox Strangeways to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey check Fox Strangeways translation of the words of a ninth symphony. Holograph signed, with ms. score of Fox Strangeway's translation.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [C. J. G], c1920
Letter, [n.d] , [C. J. G] to Donald Tovey. Covering note requesting that Tovey ' do something' with some song lyrics and the song lyrics, concerned with drinking. Holograph, note in pencil on an envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Sandord Terry, c 12 April 1920
Letter, 12 April [n.y], Pitfodels, Charles Terry to Donald Tovey. A message for Tovey from Mandyczewski, and news of the progress of a volume by Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Sanford Terry, c 07 March 1920
Letter, 7 March [n.y], Pitfodels, Charles Terry to Donald Tovey. Details of progress in the editing of a work by Tovey. Holograph signed.