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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 25 January 1938
Letter, 25 January 1938, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Concerning the English translation of a letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 28 January 1938
Letter, 28 January 1938, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Concerning the English translation of a letter, including some edits of the translation and corrections. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Imogen Holst, 16 January 1938
Letter, 16 January 1938, London, Imogen Holst to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey's permission to quote from a letter praising Holst's Hymn of Jesus, written to Gustav Holst, in a biography Imogen is writing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jonathon Reeves, 29 April 1924
Letter, 29 April 1924, London, Jonathon Reeves to Donald Tovey. Covering note for proofs for Tovey to check bar - references and music in a work. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 02 October 1930
Letter, 2 October 1930, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a programme for a Reid concert, asking if any more concerts are possible, informing Tovey that Rontgen's biography of Greig is being published. Holograph signed, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from M. R. B. Steffens, 12 August 1937
Letter, 12 August 1937, London, M. R. B. Steffens to Donald Tovey. Covering letter for 'pulls' for the plates of Tovey's sonata for two cellos and arranging to show Tovey the stock list of engraved plates. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Methuen Co, 18 January 1922
Letter, 18 January 1922, London, Methuen & co to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send some news of his book ' A life of Beethoven '. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Methuen Co, 24 April 1924
Letter, 24 April 1924, London, Methuen & Co to Donald Tovey. Requesting a second time that Tovey send details of his progress on his ' Life of Beethoven'. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 31 December 1945
Letter, 31 December 1945, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Enclosing letters from Casals to Tovey, for Foss's proposed biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, 25 March 1923
Letter, 25 March 1923, London, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey will read and criticise an article by Henschel. Holograph signed.