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 Robin Humphrey Legge from William Strecker, 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, William Strecker to Robin Legge. Asking for Legge's patronage of Tovey and praising the composer, suggesting there is no living composer who has written and is likely to write Chamber Music like Tovey. Typescript, first page of L2488.
Letter to Robin Legge Esq. from Augner Ltd., 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, Augner Ltd. to Robin Legge Esq.. Praising the work of a composer and musician [Tovey], enclosing reviews of the latest performances of his works and a prospectus of the Chelsea concerts, and expressing the hope that the artist will be supported by the English public. Typescript incomplete, first page of letter, L2501.
Letter to Sidney Newman from Henry Harvey Wood, 25 October 1943
Letter, 25 October 1943, Edinburgh, H. Harvey Wood to Sidney Newman. Covering note for a batch of Tovey programmes, for Newman and the University librarian. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Adrian Cedric Boult from D. Dickson, 04 February 1943
Letter, 4 February 1943, Edinburgh, D. Dickson to Adrian Boult. Thanking Boult for his letter about the Tovey prize and expressing Newmans feelings on the subject. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adila Adrienne Adalbertina Maria Fachiri, c04 February 1938
Letter, 4 February 1938, London, Adila Fachiri to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's letter in 'The Times', and thanking him for his help and teaching. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alan Gray, 23 March 1923
Letter, 23 March 1923, Cambridge, Alan Gray to Donald Tovey. Answering an enquiry from Tovey concerning an elderly composer , H. H. S, and commenting on a report written by Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 21 August 1928
Letter, 21 August 1928, Strasbourg, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Concerning Tovey's dedication of 'The Art of the Fugue' to Schweitzer, enclosing a copy of Schweitzer's book and thanking Tovey for collaborating on the work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 02 November 1935
Letter, 2 November 1935, London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Schweitzer's plans to come to Edinburgh to give a lecture. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, c 01 November 1935
Letter, [November 1935], London, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to confirm Schweitzer's engagements in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alexander Wunderer, 21 March 1924
Letter, 21 March 1924, Alexander Wunderer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's concert in Vienna in 1904 with Fillinger, praising Tovey's work and requesting details of Tovey's publications. Holograph signed.