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 Sophie Weisse from John Alexander Fuller-Maitland, c1917
Letter, [1917], Edinburgh, J. A. Fuller - Maitland to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's opera, and other material and performances he has produced, . Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 20 October 1917
Letter, 20 October 1917, Robert Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Reassuring Miss. Weisse that Trevelyan has Tovey's best interests at heart and is keen for Tovey to finish the ' Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph in pencil.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 December 1920
Letter, 18 December 1920, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of music scores and Ms. Tovey has and news of correcting proofs of Bride of Dionysus. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1919
Letter, [1919], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Hartree, Maud Macarthy's engagement, and the development of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 October 1919
Letter, 19 October 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Wishing Miss. Weisse a Happy Birthday, comments on the start of the University term, especially on a gifted violin player, suggestion that his work be called a music-drama rather than grand opera, and notes on the Ms. of the work. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed paper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1919
Letter, [1919], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of trying to contact Beecham to look at Tovey's composition. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed paper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 April 1920
Letter, 27 April 1920, Kent, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Recommending a doctor to Miss. Weisse, news of the Busch family, development of opera score. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 25 April 1920
Letter, [25 April 1920], Kent, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on the progress of the opera, comments on Tovey's wife's condition, and details of copying a vocal score. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932
Postcard, [n.d] London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Advising Trevelyan on the staging of the opera, suggesting that Tovey and Hedmount should be more economical. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 July 1926
Postcard, 27 July 1926, Plymouth, Donald Tovey to Robert Trevelyan. Notes about the 'Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed, on black and white postcard of the smoking room, Cunard R. M. S. Laconia '.