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 J. A. R. Marriott, 04 May 1911
Letter, 4 May 1911, Oxford, J. A. R. Marriott to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that a the lecture must be in the school, where there is a good piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Buchan, 26 June 1934
Letter, 26 June 1934, Oxford, John Buchan To Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Buchan would like to collaborate with Tovey over ' The Rose and the Ring ', but does not have time at present. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Marga Denecke, 02 June 1933
Letter, 2 June 1933, Oxford, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey. Details of Professor Einstein's visit to the Denecke's after a death in the family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Marga Denecke, 29 December 1922
Letter, 29 December 1922, Oxford, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending some programmes and notes to Marga Denecke. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Marga Denecke, 28 January 1923
Letter, 28 January 1923, Oxford, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey. Details of lecture programme and arrival date in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Oliver Horsley Gotch, cSeptember 1910
Letter, [n.y], Oxford, Oliver H. Gotch to Donald Tovey. Requesting a commentary on Beethoven's Bb piano sonata Op 106, published in 1901 and a question concerning Bach's inversion of the XII Fugue, from the Kunst der Fugue. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Victor Mendelssohn Benecke, 11 June 1922
Letter, 11 June 1922, Oxford, P. V. M. Benecke to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey would give a recital at the Oxford University musical club. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Victor Mendelssohn Benecke, 30 May 1923
Letter, 30 May 1923, Oxford, P. V. M. Benecke to Donald Tovey. Asking for information on the organist, A. Collinson, who is to be awarded an honorary degree by Oxford University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong, 22 March 1939
Letter, 22 March 1939, Oxford, Thomas Armstrong to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending Armstrong some works and praise for a Major Adkins. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong, c03 June 1939
Letter, [3 June 1939], Oxford, Thomas Armstrong to Donald Tovey. Explaining a misunderstanding over the dates Armstrong is expected in Edinburgh and a covering note for some compositions by Moonie. Holograph signed.