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 25 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. M. Tso, 06 March 1939
Letter, 6 March 1939, Hong Kong, W. M. Tso to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to recommend books on the great composers, harmony and composition. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter R. Spalding, 09 November 1925
Letter, 9 November 1925, Massachusetts, Walter R. Spalding to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a lecture at Harvard University and a note about Spaldings book on music appreciation. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Farmer, 08 May 1899
Letter, 8 May 1899, Oxford, John Farmer to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's exceptional talent, comparing the young Tovey to Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Looking at Beethoven's 'Eroica'. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Postcard to Hubert James Foss from Henry Havergal, c1940
Postcard, [n.d], Harrow, Henry Havergal to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of Mona Benson's address, describing Tovey's influence on Havergal's writing of programme notes. Holograph signed.