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 2127 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Horny ], c1933
Letter, 1933, [Horny] to Donald Tovey. Expressing thanks for Tovey's work in an international jury for the Francis Liszt piano prize competition. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Hubert James Foss, 08 March 1933
Letter, 8 March 1933, London, Hubert Foss to Donald Tovey. Expressing admiration for Tovey's article on Gluck, and conceding to Tovey over a point on Schumann. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Hugh Godley, c1921
Letter, 1921, London, Hugh Godley to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey is still interested in becoming elected as a member of The Athenaeum. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Hugh Godley, 09 October 1901
Letter, 9 October 1901, London, Hugh Godley to Donald Tovey. Asking about a picture of Brahms Tovey has and arranging a visit. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from I. M. Jacobs, 23 May 1932
Letter, 23 May 1932, Edinburgh, I. M. Jacobs to Donald Tovey. Praising the 'Bride of Dionysus', and expressing how the work has affected Jacobs life. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ibbs and Tillett, 16 September 1922
Letter, 16 September 1922, London, Ibbs and Tillett to Donald Tovey. Asking whether Tovey would be prepared to ask Dohnyani to perform at one of his concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Imogen Holst, 16 January 1938
Letter, 16 January 1938, London, Imogen Holst to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey's permission to quote from a letter praising Holst's Hymn of Jesus, written to Gustav Holst, in a biography Imogen is writing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ina Selina Boyle, 24 December 1941
Letter, 24 December 1941, County Wicklow, Ina Boyle to Donald Tovey. Recounting memories of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Dunlop, 21 November 1937
Letter, 21 November 1937, London, Isabelle Dunlop to Donald Tovey. Praising a concert and suggesting Tovey hear some of her work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Georgina Maxwell Salvesen, 28 June 1921
Letter, 28 June 1921, Edinburgh, Isabelle G. M. Salvesen to Donald Tovey. News of Salvesen's daughter studies abroad, her time with the Moor's and the music scene. Holograph signed.