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 39 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Corbett-Smith, 30 December 1921
Letter, 30 December 1921, London, A. Corbett-Smith to Donald Tovey. Plans for the creation of a national opera, and a request that Tovey represent Edinburgh in meetings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Higgs, c07 November 1920
Letter, 7 November 1920, A. Higgs to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on success. Holograph signed, with obituary note of James Higgs, 'The Croydon advertiser 1902 May 8'.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 February 1934
Letter, 23 February 1934, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at being awarded a doctorate from Edinburgh University, and describing rehearsals of Tovey's variations in Bristol. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alban Hood, c06 July 1920
Letter, 6 July 1920, Lincoln, Alban Hood to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's skills as a teacher and performer. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Ballantine, 29 October 1925
Letter,29 October 1925, Massachusetts, Edward Ballantine to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight that Tovey is to come and speak at Harvard University and suggesting the subject of Beethoven's 9th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guilhermina Suggia, 08 January 1935
Letter, 8 January 1935, ' The Highland Chieftan', Guilhermina Suggia to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey, and informing Tovey of the praise Suggia has heard for his cello concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Maynard Liddell, 23 February 1937
Letter, 23 February 1937, Surrey, G. Liddell to Donald Tovey. Outlining an attempt to gain Royal support for Tovey's work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Helen Hopekirk, 08 July 1925
Letter, 8 July 1925, Massachusetts, Helen Hopekirk to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to stay when he comes to Boston to give a lecture recital, informing Tovey of an admirer, Edward Ballantine, based at the University of California. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Alastair Ferguson Crewdson, 17 October 1934
Letter, 17 October 1934, London, H. A. F. Crewdson to Donald Tovey. Offering Tovey honorary freedom of ' The Worshipful Company of Musicians'. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 06 August 1936
Letter, 6 August 1936, Holland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. News of journey to Holland, of Nicholas Roth's knowledge of Tovey's Haydn trio's, congratulating Tovey on the fine melody and beautiful harmony he has made of the Newman Hymn. Holograph signed.