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 63 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 03 December 1934
Letter, 3 December 1934, Alsace, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey and Schweitzer's close understanding as musicians, praising Tovey's ' Art of the Fugue'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 15 May 1924
Letter, 15 May 1924, California, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey bring the music to illustrate the lectures he is to give in Santa Barbara, details of the interpretation class. Typescript signed.
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 Edward Ballantine, 29 October 1925
Letter,29 October 1925, Massachusetts, Edward Ballantine to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight that Tovey is to come and speak at Harvard University and suggesting the subject of Beethoven's 9th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Joseph Dent, 26 November 1937
Letter, 26 November 1937, New York, Edward Dent to Donald Tovey. Agreeing to meet Tovey's son, details of lecture programme, questioning Tovey on studies of Schubert's opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elizabeth Pickerly, 28 May 1921
Letter, 28 May 1921, Edinburgh, Elizabeth Pickerly to Donald Tovey. Asking if one of Tovey's pupils could teach Pickerly and her brother music theory. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. W. Deas, 16 January 1927
Letter, 16 January 1927, Edinburgh, F. W. Deas to Donald Tovey. Questioning Tovey on the balance of tone between piano and strings in the time of Haydn and how accurately is the sound the classical masters created emulated. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick S. Mackay, 27 March 1939
Letter, 27 March 1939, New York, Frederick S. Mackay to Donald Tovey. Discussion of a point , backed by evidence, influenced by Tovey's essay on the Prelude to act III of Jannhausen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 16 February 1935
Letter, 16 February 1935, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that mail is arriving, but is being vetted, Praising Tovey's musical analyses and his music, plans for a concert in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 08 September 1937
Letter, 8 September 1937, Denmark, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's editions of Beethoven's sonatas and Bach's piano works and musical analyses. Typescript signed.