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 Hubert James Foss from Douglas Gerard Arthur Fox, 31 January 1942
Letter, 31 January 1942, Cornwall, D. G. A. Fox to Hubert Foss. Covering note for a letter from Tovey and discussion of the fact that Foss has left the Oxford University Press. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Frank Stewart Howes, 10 December 1941
Letter, 10 December 1941, Oxford, Frank Howes to Hubert Foss. Covering note for a story about Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Imogen Clare Holst, 21 December 1921
Letter, 21 December 1921, Oxford, Imogen Holst to Hubert Foss. Covering note for two letters from Tovey to Gustav Holst. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from John B. R. Whitfield, 20 January 1947
Letter, 20 January 1947, Edinburgh, John B. R. Whitfield to Hubert Foss. Describing a letter Tovey sent to Whitfield while Whitfield was student at Edinburgh University working towards an honours degree in music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Lee Ashton, 05 May 1942
Letter, 5 May 1942, Edinburgh, Lee Ashton to Hubert Foss. Covering letter for letters from Tovey to Lee Ashton. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Whittaker, c 07 February 1941
Letter, 7 February [n.y], Buckinghamshire, Margaret Whittaker to Hubert Foss. Putting Foss in touch with a Miss. M. Knottley to discuss Northlands for his biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Maud Karpeles, 10 February 1942
Letter, 10 February 1942, London, Maud Karpeles to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss that Prof. Rose has no intimate memories of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Robert. B. King, 05 January 1942
Letter, 5 January 1942, Perthshire, Robert. B. King to Hubert Foss. Covering note for a letter written from Tovey to King, with cadenzas. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from William Giles Whittaker, 26 November 1941
Letter, 26 November 1941, Glasgow, William Giles Whittaker to Hubert Foss. Enclosing Letters from Tovey in response to Foss's advertisement. Holograph signed.
Letter to K. M. Howard from Hubert James Foss, 18 June 1942
Letter, 18 June 1942, Sussex, Hubert Foss to K. M. Howard. Covering note for a letter from Arthur Somervall to Tovey. Holograph signed.