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 Harold Solomon Samuel, 29 May 1939
Letter, 29 May 1939, London, Harold Samuel to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that the Associated Board are keen to produce the 48th. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c 28 August 1930
Letter, 28 August [n.y], Prague, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Discussing financial difficulties, Tovey's German publisher and Tovey's planned concert in Prague of ' Euryanthe '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Harry Cope Colles, 31 March 1924
Letter, 31 March 1924, London, H.C. Colles to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey prepare an article on Beethoven for the Grove dictionary. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Hermann], 30 October 1922
Letter, 30 October 1922, Stuttgart, [Hermann] to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to help H. J. Moser to perform and publish a work on Handel's Oratorio, asking Tovey to write an article for 'Scottish Musical Magazine'. Typescript incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Alexander Fuller Maitland, c30 May 1930
Letter, 30 May 1930, Carnforth, J. A. Fuller Maitland to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey has produced an edition of 'the 48' with Harold Samuels, and requesting an edition if he has, and discussions of other editions. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jonathon Reeves, 18 March 1939
Letter, 18 March 1939, London, Jonathon Reeves to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that his work on Beethoven's piano sonatas will soon be profit making, financial arrangements for the profits of the book. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jonathon Reeves, 28 March 1939
Letter, 28 March 1939, London, Jonathon Reeves to Donald Tovey. Requesting a reply to a letter concerning bound volumes of Beethoven sonatas, suggesting royalty should be paid on all editions. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from London A. Corbett-Smith, 12 November 1922
Letter, 12 November 1922, London A. Corbett-Smith to Donald Tovey. Promoting 'National opera handbooks', and news of a son born to Corbett-Smith. Holograph signed.
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 Maria Levinskaya, 02 March 1930
Letter, 2 March 1930, London, Maria Levinskaya to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to accept a copy of Levinskaya's book, and a description of the work. Holograph signed.