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 78 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Guthrie, 06 May 1929
Letter, 6 May 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Donald Tovey. Discussing finances of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Maurice Isaacs, 05 January 1922
Letter, 5 January 1922, London, Edward Isaacs to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for the invitation to Northlands to see the Moor piano. Holograph signed, stamped.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1914
Letter, 24 February [n.y], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Discussion of Clegg's first concert and the advertisements for it. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Edinburgh Musical Education Society, 28 December 1921
Letter, 28 December 1921, Edinburgh, The Treasurer, The Edinburgh Musical Education Society to Donald Tovey. Reminding Tovey of an engagement and New Year greetings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Willy Strecker, 27 October 1911
Letter, 27 October 1911, London, Willy Strecker to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey for an interview. Typescript signed, on back of letter transcript of a letter from Sir Hubert Parry to Miss Weisse, 1896 Nov 30, by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 July 1893
Letter, 17 July 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss Weisse of Tovey's time of arrival. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 August 1893
Letter, 3 August 1893, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of Tovey's visit to Lowestoft. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 December 1893
Letter, 19 December 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concerning Palestrina annotation and requesting that Miss. Weisse brings several scores to Moffat. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 May 1895
Letter, 9 May 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's busy schedule and University music exams. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 March 1895
Letter, 15 March 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of technique and spontaneity in music and criticism of a music committee. Holograph signed, in pencil, with stamped envelope.