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 Walter Willson Cobbett, 13 December 1923
Letter, 13 December 1923, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey meet Cobbett to discuss the ' Cyclopeadia of chamber music '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 12 June 1923
Letter, 12 June 1923, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey and suggesting terms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Havergal Brian, 06 May 1922
Letter, 6 May 1922, Brighton, Havergal Brian to Donald Tovey. Concerning the publication of music scores. 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, 25 March 1937
Letter, 25 March 1937, Mainz, Willy Strecker to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for help with Remi Grassman's English translation of Hindemith's book on the theory of musical composition and its teaching. Typescript 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 Sir Granville Ransome Bantock from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 1924
Letter, [1924], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Granville Bantock. Request for a signature and discussing a new volume of Bach. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir William Henry Hadow from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1910
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir William Henry Hadow. Tovey elucidating his differing view on fugues, after reviewing Hadow's work. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, Hartree, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending Tovey a book by Danreuther on ornamentation, and a discussion of the work. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 November 1898
Letter, 9 November 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Criticism of musical magazines and extracts. Holograph signed.