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 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. Typescript copy incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 July 1902
Letter, 15 July 1902, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of works Tovey has sent to Mr. Shipley and Mr. Such. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering letter for a book by Arnold which Tovey believes to be his best. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 30 January 1911
Letter, 30 January 1911, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has the parts of his concerto, and discussing publication. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 25 October 1911
Letter, 25 October 1911, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the cheapest estimate for engraving and printing Tovey's Sonata and quintette, and discussing their publication to coincide with performance. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 30 January 1912
Letter, 30 January 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Advising Miss. Weisse to inform Tovey that she is paying for his works to be published, discussing copyright fee and explaining that the Tovey's works were published because of their artistic merit rather than a business point of view. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 12 November 1912
Letter, 12 November 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has delivered proofs of his works for printing and advising on the difference of opinion and difficult situation between Tovey and another party. Typescript signed.
Letter to Walter Willson Cobbett from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, [1930], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Walter Willson Cobbett. Informing of the commencement of a work on Brahms. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1902
Postcard, 3 November 1902, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concerned with the layout of the Meiningen concert programmes. Holograph signed, L145 - L149 sewn together.