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 Sir Hugh Allen, c07 December 1924
Letter, [7 December 1924], London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey produce a work for publication on Bach's 48. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, 12 April 1923
Letter, 12 April 1923, London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of works on music to be published. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Percy Carter Buck, 31 December 1916
Letter, 31 December 1916, London, Percy Buck to Donald Tovey. Requesting Beethoven sonatas before printing, note of a cello piece, and news of Bucks new post. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir William Henry Hadow, 08 December 1925
Letter, 8 December 1925, Sheffield, W. H. Hadow to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his article on Schubert which is being published. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir William Symington McCormick, c29 May 1931
Letter, 29 May 1931, London, W. S. Mcormick to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for introducing Fould's work and offering advice on how to get the work published and performed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Encyclopaedia Brittanica, 22 April 1921
Letter, 22 April 1921, London, The Encyclopaedia Brittanica to Donald Tovey. Expressing anxiety over the fact that Tovey's article on Music has not yet been sent to the editor. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Encyclopeadia Brittanica, 19 July 1921
Letter, 19 July 1921, London, The Encyclopeadia Brittanica to Donald Tovey. Asking when Tovey will have completed his article on Music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 06 February 1925
Letter, 6 February 1925, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the publication of Tovey's article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 24 November 1924
Letter, 24 November 1924, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Details of where Tovey's articles are being sent. Holograph incomplete.
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.