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 29 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 16 June 1924
Letter, 16 June 1924, New York, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Explaining that Hoffman has had to keep a dinner engagement, but will be back to greet Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 11 September 1924
Letter, 11 September 1924, New York, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Attempting to arrange a meeting in New York. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Carleton Sprague Smith, 20 April 1939
Letter, 20 April 1939, New York, Carleton Smith to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to join an advisory committee for the Schola Cantorum of New York, and a description of the Schola Cantorum's activities. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 02 December 1924
Letter, 2 December 1924, New York, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Details of a meeting with Annie Friedberg, a proposal to employ an administrative assistant for Tovey's musical tours of America, . Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 12 December 1924
Letter, 12 December 1924, New York, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. News of Gould and wishing Tovey well. 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 Eugene Zador, 22 July 1939
Letter, 22 July 1939, New York, Eugene Zador to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's performance of Zador's 'Rondo' and requesting a reference from Tovey. 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 Heinrich Swoboda, c 01 October 1930
Letter, 10 October [n.y], New York, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of concerts in New York and Canada and Radio Broadcasts, asking Tovey for a letter of introduction to Serbivolli and expressing concern for the European political situation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Daniels, 25 September 1924
Letter, 25 September 1924, New York, John Daniels to Donald Tovey. Arranging a meeting. Typescript signed.