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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Bentley, 07 June 1923
Letter, 7 June 1923, Birmingham, William Bentley to Donald Tovey. Explaining the details of a music scholarship and the candidates. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 12 October 1892
Letter, 12 October 1892, Oxford, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Sympathy over Tovey's crooked spine, details of Parry's engagements, and comment on a musical fund for scholars. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 16 November 1893
Letter, 16 November 1893, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for her letter and gift and suggesting that Donald apply for a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 08 May 1894
Letter, 8 May 1894, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Concerning cheques for payments of Tovey's lessons, informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has a good chance of winning the Nettleship scholarship. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 31 May 1894
Letter, 31 May 1894, Cambridge, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Information and advice about the Nettleship scholarship. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 18 February 1895
Letter, 18 February 1895, London, Hubert Parry to Sophie Weisse. Suggesting Tovey should try for a Mendelssohn scholarship. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 April 1895
Letter, 27 April 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering note for letter from Hipkins to Tovey. Holograph signed, with letter 26 April 1895, from Alfred Hipkins to Donald Tovey, consoling Tovey for not receiving an Oxford music scholarship, with envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 February 1895
Letter, 17 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's application for the Mendelssohn scholarship an news of Tovey's contemporaries at Balliol. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Walter Parratt, c 08 February 1900
Letter, 8 February [n.y], Windsor, Walter Parratt to Sophie Weisse. Concerning Tovey and the Nettleship scholarship to Balliol, Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Unknown from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 March 1926
Letter, 16 March 1926, Tovey to Unknown. Supporting the idea that a scholarship at the Northampton school of music be established in memory of Leonard Borwick. Ms. Transcript.