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 Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong, c03 June 1939
Letter, [3 June 1939], Oxford, Thomas Armstrong to Donald Tovey. Notice of arrival time in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Will Stanton, 19 March 1923
Letter, 19 March 1923, Oxford, Will Stanton to Donald Tovey. Arranging to send Tovey set of parts of a quintet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 May 1939
Letter, 28 May 1939, Suffolk, Donald Francis Tovey to Thomas Armstrong. Informing of arrival in Edinburgh. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 June 1939
Letter, 2 June 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Thomas Armstrong. Passing on degree work and examinations. Typescript.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from A. D. Lumsden, 21 May 1941
Letter, 21 May 1941, Oxford, A. D. Lumsden to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a chalk drawing of Tovey to Balliol college, Oxford. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Ernest Walker, c 02 April 1905
Letter, 2 April [1905], Oxford, Ernest Walker to Sophie Weisse. Accepting an invitation to hear Tovey play. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Ernest Walker, 26 December 1908
Letter, 26 December 1908, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for a picture of herself and Tovey, suggesting that it is a privilege to teach Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Ernest Walker, c 02 February 1900
Letter, 2 March [n.y], Oxford, Ernest Walker to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending Walker tickets to go to a concert and explaining that he was unable to go. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Harold H. Joachim, 25 November 1908
Letter, 25 November 1908, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse and Tovey their kindness, and allowing Harold Joachim to hear wonderful music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Farmer, 08 May 1899
Letter, 8 May 1899, Oxford, John Farmer to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's exceptional talent, comparing the young Tovey to Brahms. Holograph signed.