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 Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 September 1895
Letter, 30 September 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Bray's stay with the Tovey's and Tovey's anxiety over his studies. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 October 1895
Letter, 22 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a pianoforte quintet Tovey is composing. Holograph, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 December 1893
Letter, 21 December 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Request for musical scores. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 December 1895
Letter, 27 December 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Apologising for not writing, details of a quintet Tovey is composing. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 February 1896
Letter, 21 February 1896, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notice of Tovey's arrival date and forthcoming engagements. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 April 1897
Letter, [6 April 1897], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of his arrival, apologising for being cross and mourning Brahms's death. Holograph signed, with a duplicate typescript copy 26 x 21cm.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1898
Letter, 19 May 1898, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's revision for exams. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [1900], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of engagements, asking Miss. Weisse for 'time off ' . Typescript copy of 544.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [1900], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of engagements and asking Miss. Weisse for 'time off '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Commenting on a performance of Schubert's C major symphony. Holograph signed.