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 82 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Florence Fernald, 30 October 1924
Letter, 30 October 1924, California, Florence Fernald to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a picture and arranging a person to manage his programme in California. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Stuart McManus, 28 August 1925
Letter, 28 August 1925, San Francisco, George Stuart McManus to Donald Tovey. Details of finance and arrangements for Tovey's visit to America. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guilhermina Suggia, 29 October 1930
Letter, 29 October 1930, Guilhermina Suggia to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Lady Tovey inform Tovey of the joy Suggia felt when playing with him and news of Suggia's trip back to Portugal. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. Warner, 20 May 1937
Letter, 20 May 1937, Berlin, H. Warner to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his help in enabling the Berlin college of music singers to tour Scotland and England, inviting Tovey to a music festival in Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Hoping to meet Tovey en route to New York. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's plans to travel to Dresden and Prague to give concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Helen Hopekirk, c09 November 1930
Letter, 9 November 1930, Massachusetts, Helen Hopekirk to Donald Tovey. Expressing enthusiasm over Tovey's visit to America. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 06 August 1936
Letter, 6 August 1936, Holland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. News of journey to Holland, of Nicholas Roth's knowledge of Tovey's Haydn trio's, congratulating Tovey on the fine melody and beautiful harmony he has made of the Newman Hymn. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John P. Fletcher and Albert Schweitzer, 18 May 1932
Letter, 18 May 1932, London, John P. Fletcher and Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Covering note from Fletcher outlining Schweitzer's plans and arrangements for his time in Edinburgh. Letter from Fletcher, Typescript signed; Letter from Schweitzer typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Leslie Hays Heward, 26 March 1925
Letter, 26 March 1925, Cape Town, Leslie Heward to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey help the Cape Town orchestra on their tour of Britain, especially their visit to Edinburgh. Holograph signed.