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 93 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 December 1900
Letter, 12 December 1900, Austria, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 January 1902
Letter, [14 January 1902], Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of the musical atmosphere of Vienna and Birthday wishes to Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1902
Letter, [1902], Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's time in Germany, comparison of English and German manners, outlining Joachim's criticism of his composition . Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1902
Letter, [1902], Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's time in Germany, comparison of English and German manners, outlining Joachim's criticism of his composition . Typescript copy, incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 January 1904
Letter, 12 January 1904, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's time in Germany, his awe of Joachim and his forthcoming schedule. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 29 August 1906
Letter, 29 August 1906, Salzburg, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Salzburg and his hosts, the Queen of Hanover, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 August 1906
Letter, 31 August 1906, Salzburg, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Salzburg and his hosts, the Queen of Hanover, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 August 1906
Letter, 31 August 1906, Salzburg, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Salzburg and his hosts, the Queen of Hanover, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. Typescript copy incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 April 1908
Letter, 14 April 1908, Paris, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's visit, the progress of his B minor trio, details of a music examination. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1912
Letter, [1912], [Spain], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. A favourable report of Tovey's time in Spain and a description of Casals family. Holograph signed.