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 75 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Parker, 16 August 1922
Letter, 16 August 1922, Middlesex, George Parker to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Parker is attempting to put on a performance of a Bach work, and wondering if there would be an opening for such a piece at the Reid Concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerald Warre Cornish, 11 October 1907
Letter, 11 October 1907, London, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Praising the sentiment of Tovey's songs and suggesting music is a real science inspired by God. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guilermina Suggia, 12 November 1938
Letter, 12 November 1938, London, Guilermina Suggia to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight that Tovey and Suggia are to play together, and requesting scores for the performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans to pay Tovey and Szell for concert performances in Czechoslavakia, asking Tovey to bring the 'Euranthe' score. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, 13 February 1937
Letter, 13 February 1937, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a concert Swoboa is giving, asking about Casals and asking if Swoboda could play in Edinburgh in the forthcoming concert season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, 06 December 1937
Letter, 6 December 1937, Prague, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at plans to give a concert in Edinburgh, plans to perform in Prague with Casals, and hopes to perform in London for Boult and the B. B. C. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Schwiller, 06 December 1928
Letter, 6 December 1928, Edinburgh, Isabelle Schwiller to Donald Tovey. Discussing her time spent with Tovey and her plans to hear the Reid orchestra before she leaves Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jan Hambourg, 21 October 1934
Letter, 21 October 1934, London, Jan Hambourg to Donald Tovey. Suggestion that Tovey and Hambourg perform several Bach and Beethoven works together. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, c1900
Letter, [1900], Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Regretfully explaining to Tovey that Joachim can not perform at a concert as he has to devote his time to his Quartet performances, inviting Tovey to Vienna. Holograph signed, with annotations attached to the back page.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 16 February 1921
Letter, 16 February 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a forthcoming performance of the ' Laughing Cavalier'. Holograph signed.