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 Julius Rontgen, 01 April 1937
Letter, 1 April 1937, J. Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that he is to be honoured at the 25th anniversary of Hollands string quartet festival. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Margaret Kennedy Fraser, 14 March 1921
Letter, 14 March 1921, Edinburgh, Margaret Kennedy Fraser to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's efforts in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Victor Mendelssohn Benecke, 30 May 1923
Letter, 30 May 1923, Oxford, P. V. M. Benecke to Donald Tovey. Asking for information on the organist, A. Collinson, who is to be awarded an honorary degree by Oxford University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Royal Academy of Music, 21 June 1922
Letter, 21 June 1922, London, Royal Academy of Music to Donald Tovey. Inviting a representative from the University of Edinburgh to attend the centenary celebrations of the Royal Academy of Music. Typescript, with forwarding letter , 23 June 1922, The Secretary of Edinburgh University to Donald Tovey, [1]p. 26 x 20cm.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 14 December 1923
Letter, 4 December 1923, Glasgow, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Boult expressing his admiration for Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 14 March 1933
Letter, 14 March 1933, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Confirming that Adrian Boult will be happy to accept his honorary degree from Edinburgh University. Holograph signed, written on British Broadcasting Company headed paper.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, 07 May 1924
Letter, 7 May 1924, London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that he has been nominated a fellow of the Royal college of music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, 01 April 1924
Letter, 1 April 1924, London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that his nomination as a fellow of the Royal College of Music has been approved by the Prince of Wales. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Music Guild, 25 July 1937
Letter, 25 July 1937, Liverpool, The Music Guild to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to a supper in his honour. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Wally Passer, 01 February 1923
Letter, 1 February 1923, Prague, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Enclosing newspaper reviews to Tovey. Holograph signed.