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 Lionel Tertis, 03 December 1930
Letter, 3 December 1930, Surrey, Lionel Tertis to Mary Grierson. Praising an orchestral performance, and expressing Tertis' enjoyment at playing with the orchestra, mentioning Boult's courage at suggesting a second performance and disappointment at Tovey's absence. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Mary Jane Gillies Whittaker, 23 March 1952
Letter, 23 March 1952, Edinburgh, Mary Whittaker to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and describing memories of Tovey and his contemporaries. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Myfanny Varley, 05 January 1954
Letter, 5 January 1954, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to Mary Grierson. Wishing Grierson a happy new year and recounting stories of the Tovey family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Nancie Murray, c1952
Letter, [n.d], [Edinburgh], Nancie Murray to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Patricia, 28 March 1952
Letter, 28 March 1952, Bristol, Patricia to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, and news of Patricia's family and her life in Bristol. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Pauline Maze, c 03 July 1900
Letter, 3 July [n.y], Prades, Pauline Maze to Mary Grierson. Description of a festival in Prades, requesting a copy of Tovey's Pasacaille for piano, and praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peggie Sampson, c 17 April 1952
Letter, 17 April [n.y], Winnipeg, Peggie Sampson to Mary Grierson. Enclosing a review of Grierson's biography of Tovey, praising the work and news from Canada. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peter Charles Arthur Wishart, 06 June 1952
Letter, 6 May 1952, Birmingham, Peter Wishart to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, empathising with Tovey's struggles and a discussion of music teaching. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peter Mooney, 28 February 1952
Letter, 28 February 1952, Paisley, Peter Mooney to Mary Grierson. Congratulating Grierson on completing her biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Ralph Vaughan Williams, c 28 February 1952
Letter, 28 February [n.y], Surrey, Ralph Vaughan Williams to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's book and pointing out an error concerning Mona Benson. Holograph signed, with envelope.