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 81 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Guthrie, 27 April 1929
Letter, 27 April 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on 'The Bride of Dionysus '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elizabeth Trevelyan, c 04 July 1913
Letter, 4 July [1913], Surrey, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey take Robert Trevelyan into his confidence, and elucidate his plans for the opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Emily Ritchie, c 1929
Letter, [n.y], Emily Ritchie to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on the success of his opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Florence Hall, 19 March 1929
Letter, 19 March 1929, London, Florence Hall to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at the production of the ''Bride of Dionysus', and news of her husbands illness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 25 April 1929
Letter, 25 April 1929, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on the success of his opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from I. M. Jacobs, 23 May 1932
Letter, 23 May 1932, Edinburgh, I. M. Jacobs to Donald Tovey. Praising the 'Bride of Dionysus', and expressing how the work has affected Jacobs life. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jane Duff, 29 April 1929
Letter, 29 April 1929, Edinburgh, Jane Duff to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's opera and expressing the importance of its production to Scotland's, especially Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Christie, 08 April 1936
Letter, 8 April 1936, Sussex, John Christie to Donald Tovey. Suggesting difficulties as to putting on The Bride of Dionysus at The Glyndebourne festival, suggestions for successful opera. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Foulds, c1925
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Request to hear Tovey's opera. Holograph signed, author born Maud MacCarthy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Grundy, 01 May 1929
Letter, 1 May 1929, London, Maud Grundy to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for the privilege of playing in the first performance of Tovey's opera. Holograph signed.