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 144 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Klaus, 01 February 1937
Letter, 1 February 1937, Klaus to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Klaus can not perform in Russia because of political reasons, and thanking Tovey for sending Cadenza's. Holograph signed.
letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Laurella Maitland, c24 October 1920
letter, 24 October 1920, Forfarshire, Laurella Maitland to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a cheque in payment of the instruction course for Mozart's sonatas for violin and piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Laurella Maitland, c29 November 1920
Letter, 29 November 1920, Forfarshire, Laurella Maitland to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey give Maitland a lesson on the piano in Mozart and Haydn. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Margaret Kennedy, 25 September 1923
Letter, 25 September 1923, Edinburgh, Margaret Kennedy to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for helping the School concert scheme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Margaret Whitehouse, c1920
Letter, [n.y], London, Hampstead, Margaret Whitehouse to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a speech at the Liverpool institute. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Foulds, 30 April 1930
Letter, 30 April 1930, London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter of advice, outlining the problems in the production of Foulds 'Requiem' in London, and imploring Tovey to come to London to play the piece with Foulds. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Seard, 23 November 1937
Letter, 23 November 1937, Middlesex, Paul Seard to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter, approving work of an orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Peter Rybar, 19 January 1939
Letter, 19 January 1939, Surrey, Peter Rybar to Donald Tovey. An expression of friendship and respect for Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from R. Phillip, 31 January 1920
Letter, 31 January 1920, Edinburgh, R. Phillip to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for talking to the fellows of the Royal college of physicians. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Rae Robertson, 09 August 1922
Letter, 9 August 1922, London, Rae Robertson to Donald Tovey. Offering Robertson' s services at Edinburgh concerts and a covering note for press cuttings. Holograph signed.