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 89 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. M. Widor, 03 December 1934
Letter, 3 December 1934, Paris, E. M. Widor to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on completing his edition of Bach's ' Art of the Fugue' and asking after Tovey's health. Written for Widor by Albert Schweitzer, signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Earl of Moray, 18 May 1922
Letter, 18 May 1922, Perth, Earl of Moray to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending Moray a copy of his musical analysis of The Golgdberg variations. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernõ Dohnányi, 03 August 1926
Letter, 3 August 1926, Budapest, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to help get an article published, and discussion of the suggested concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Eusebius Mandyczewski, 05 October 1924
Letter, 5 October 1924, Mandyczewsiki to Donald Tovey. Requesting a bibliography of Tovey's published works and describing a music festival in Vienna. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Franz Theodor Reizenstein, 03 April 1937
Letter, 3 April 1937, London, Franz Reizenstein to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's article in 'The Listener', and discussion of broadcasts and publications concerning Hindemith. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Henry Evans, 12 February 1928
Letter, 12 February 1928, London, F. H. Evans to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's article on Schubert in 'The heritage of music', and other works. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 28 December 1926
Letter, 28 December 1926, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of progress made in trying to obtain music from German publishers on Tovey's behalf. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 06 April 1934
Letter, 6 April 1934, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Concerning the publication of Tovey's cello concerto and his musical analyses. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Holst, 20 September 1923
Letter, 20 September 1923, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Details of a German translation of Holst's 'Hymn of Jesus' by Lauckner, and the problems of publication, and invitation to dine with Holst. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Theodore Holst, 29 November 1923
Letter, 29 November 1923, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Discussion of Lauckner's German translation of 'The Hymn of Jesus' and the problems with publishing the work. Holograph signed.