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:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 20 February 1916
Letter, 20 February 1916, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Remarks on elements, history, form and Walker news. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, c 11 April 1916
Letter, 11 April [n.y], Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter on variations and a discussion of orchestration. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, c1898
Letter, 1898, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Description of a performance of Schumann quartet, asking Tovey to play at Balliol and news from Oxford. Holograph, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 15 October 1924
Letter, 15 October 1924, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Discussing a book on Schubert, and asking Tovey to consider Walker's work on Schubert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gilbert Knight, 18 May 1930
Letter, 18 May 1930, Oxford, Gilbert Knight to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a concert on behalf of the Oxford musical society. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 27 February 1907
Letter, 2 February 1907, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. An invitation to dinner. 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 Harold H. Joachim, 29 June 1939
Letter, 29 June 1939, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Passing on a message from Johannes, saying Tovey can publish a translation of a letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 25 January 1938
Letter, 25 January 1938, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Concerning the English translation of a letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 28 January 1938
Letter, 28 January 1938, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Concerning the English translation of a letter, including some edits of the translation and corrections. Holograph signed.