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 807 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Horg Grierson, 17 July 1952
Letter, 17 July 1952, Cambridge, Horg Grierson to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Hubert James Foss, 12 February 1952
Letter, 12 February 1952, London, Hubert Foss to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Northway, c 23 April 1952
Letter, 23 April [n.y], Ascot, Janet Northway to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and reminiscing. Typescript signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Tessier du Cros, 28 October 1952
Letter, 28 October 1952, Paris, Janet Tessier du Cros to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and informing Grierson that Tessier du Cros has Cadenza's written by Tovey in Ms.. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope, for Tessier du Cros see also Janet Grierson.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Janet Tessier du Cros, 16 March 1952
Letter, 16 March 1952, Paris, Janet Tessier du Cros to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, and her diplomatic style of writing and describing Tessier du Cros' musical training. Typescript signed, with stamped envelope, for Tessier du Cros see also Janet Grierson.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Johannes Röntgen, 16 July 1922
Letter, 16 July 1922, Johannes Rontgen to Mary Grierson. Informing Mary Grierson that the Rontgen's will not be coming to Edinburgh since Johannes has accepted a conducting post and news of his wedding. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from John W. Tanen, c 12 March 1942
Letter, 12 March [n.y], Surrey, John W. Tanen to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Kenneth Anderson, 23 February 1952
Letter, 23 February 1952, Yorkshire, Kenneth Anderson to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, news of Anderson and his orchestra, his publications and work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from L. Zwingli, 02 March 1952
Letter, 2 March 1952, London, L. Zwingli to Mary Grierson. Congratulating Grierson on her biography of Tovey and enclosing some articles on Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Leonard C. Somervell, 06 March 1952
Letter, 6 March 1952, Kendal, Leonard C. Somervell to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Typescript signed.