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 140 Collections and/or Records:
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 February 1895
Postcard, 24 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Arranging to meet at a concert. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 March 1895
Postcard, [6 March 1895], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Apologising for not writing and requesting a ' Field Nocturnes'. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 February 1895
Postcard, [22 February 1895], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss Weisse of the development of a composition. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 February 1895
Postcard, 22 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss Weisse for a box of apples. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 February 1895
Postcard, 21 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Requesting that Miss Weisse send a telegram authorising that Tovey concentrate solely on one area of work. Holograph signed, with two telegrams, with envelope.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 February 1895
Postcard, 11 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's brother's visit to Balliol and Tovey's future engagements. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 October 1895
Postcard, 13 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Apologising for not writing and explaining Tovey's worries, and pressures. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 October 1895
Postcard, 14 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of life at Oxford. Holograph signed.
Telegram to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Marga Denecke et al., c1920
Telegram, [n.d] Oxford, Marga Deneke et al. to Donald Tovey. ' Variations great performance great reception large audience'. Transcript.
Telegram to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 March 1896
Telegram, 21 March 1896, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. ' Sorry cannot come till Monday Donald'. Typescript copy.