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 Franics Tovey, 02 March 1895
Letter, 2 March 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Anxiety over forthcoming examinations and discussion of John Stainer. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 25 October 1911
Letter, 25 October 1911, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the cheapest estimate for engraving and printing Tovey's Sonata and quintette, and discussing their publication to coincide with performance. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 12 November 1912
Letter, 12 November 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has delivered proofs of his works for printing and advising on the difference of opinion and difficult situation between Tovey and another party. Typescript signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. S. Kelly, 05 October 1905
Postcard, 5 October 1905, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Acknowledging the receipt of Tovey's concerto. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 30 October 1906
Postcard, 30 October 1906, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. News that Kelly has sent off copies of his waltzes to Tovey. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 22 February 1906
Postcard, 22 February 1906, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Sending Tovey the 'solution' to a canon. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 21 September 1905
Postcard, 21 September 1905, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Kelly has sent off his waltzes, and details of the effect the waltzes had on Kelly. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 20 September 1905
Postcard, 20 September 1905, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. News of Kelly's compositions, and lunch with Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Walter Sanger, 29 November 1911
Postcard, 29 November 1911, Berlin, George Walter Sanger to Donald Tovey. Details of instruments necessary for a Bach piece. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Roeyer, 12 November 1909
Postcard, 12 November 1909, London, Roeyer to Donald Tovey. Requesting Tovey's help with a Haydn score. Holograph signed.