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 Susan Sushington, c 28 September 1910
Letter, 28 September [n.y], Bordon, Susan Sushington to Donald Tovey. Discussing Dent's translation of the Fidelio. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Encyclopaedia Brittanica, 21 December 1905
Letter, 21 December 1905, The Encyclopaedia to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey arrange a meeting with Mr. Chisholm, and asking that Tovey pass on an article to Edward Dent. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Wally Passer, 20 January 1925
Letter, 20 January 1925, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Introducing Passer's son Kurt who is coming to England and news of Passer's translation work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 20 April 1925
Letter, 20 April 1925, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Requesting Tovey's article on Brahms for Cobbet's cyclopeadia. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 14 March 1925
Letter, 14 March 1925, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's article, but asking him to reduce it in length. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 27 February 1925
Letter, 27 February 1925, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending his ms., article, and programme notes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 09 June 1924
Letter, 9 June 1924, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey produce an appreciation and analysis of Brahms chamber works for orchestra for the Cyclopeadia. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Taylor, 11 May 1911
Letter, 11 May 1911, Edinburgh, William Taylor to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of anxious letters from his publishers requesting the return of proofs. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Willy Strecker, 21 July 1937
Letter, 21 July 1937, Mainz, Willy Strecker to Donald Tovey. Discussing Hindemith's book of music teaching and Tovey's planned meeting with it's American translator, Remi Gassmann also mentions the publication of Tovey's compositions. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Alexander Fuller Maitland, c 10 October 1920
Letter, 10 October [n.y], Ayrshire, J. A. Fuller Maitland to Sophie Weisse. Requesting material to compile an article on Tovey. Typescript copy.