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, c1912
Letter, [1912], [Spain], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's travels in Spain, description of a railway journey through the Pyrenees. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 April 1913
Letter, 5 April 1913, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's arrival in Bonn, and news of the Busch family. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 April 1914
Letter, [April 1914], Aachen, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a birth in the Busch family, arranging to meet Miss. Weisse in Paris, and a story of musical traditions in Aachen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 December 1915
Letter, 15 December 1915, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Wales and problems he may encounter leaving the country. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Dusseldorf, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of the Busch family, Tovey's symphony, details of a successful concert at Prague, news of Mr. and Mrs. Rontgen, . Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 August 1922
Letter, 1 August 1922, Freudenstadt, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's plans to go to Stuttgart with Fritz Busch and then return to Edinburgh, expressing an interest in the Moor duplex piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1924
Letter, [1924], Boston, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's impressions of America, especially Santa Barbara, Tovey's anger at the people who have been against him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1920
Letter, [n.d], New York, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Impressions of New York and news of Tovey's engagements there. Holograph signed.
Letter to Unknown [Sir Donald Francis Tovey] from Frank Morley Fletcher, c1920
Letter, [n.d], California, Frank Morley Fletcher to Unknown [Donald Tovey]. Travel arrangements, and expressing excitement at the recipients arrival. Typescript signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 26 August 1911
Postcard, 26 August 1911, Stuttgart, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Description of Miss.Weisse's accommodation and travels. Holograph signed, stamped, date from postmark.