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 Isabelle Schwiller, 06 December 1928
Letter, 6 December 1928, Edinburgh, Isabelle Schwiller to Donald Tovey. Discussing her time spent with Tovey and her plans to hear the Reid orchestra before she leaves Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle W. Hardie, 20 June 1923
Letter, 20 June 1923, Edinburgh, Isabelle W. Hardie to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to tea, with Hardie and Mr. and Mrs. Joachim. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. A. R. Marriott, 04 May 1911
Letter, 4 May 1911, Oxford, J. A. R. Marriott to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that a the lecture must be in the school, where there is a good piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Douglas H. Dickson, 04 March 1929
Letter, 4 March 1929, Edinburgh, J. Douglas H. Dickson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Douglas H. Dickson, 13 March 1913
Letter, 13 March 1913, J. Douglas H. Dickson to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's work and a performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Douglas H. Dickson, 16 October 1937
Letter, 16 October 1937, Edinburgh, J. Douglas H. Dickson to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial affairs of the Reid orchestra, including the Reid Orchestra endowment fund, and a discussion of Edinburgh and it's people. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. F. Dobson, 14 June 1938
Letter, 14 June 1938, Bristol, J. F. Dobson to Donald Francis Tovey. Asking Tovey about the form of a certain Brahms sonata, and whether Tovey's composition ' Je suis le frere du bon Cocher was ever published ' and remembering days at Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. H. Richard, 13 February 1937
Letter, 13 February 1937, J. H. Richard to Donald Tovey. offering Tovey the opportunity of interjecting in a debate which has been carried out between Richards and another after Tovey's keyboard broadcasts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Mackinnon, 29 March 1930
Letter, 29 March 1930, Edinburgh, J. Mackinnon to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a sympathy note after a bereavement and playing a Beethoven piece at the crematorium. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. P. Pemberton, 02 September 1907
Letter, 2 September 1907, Cambridge, J. P. Pemberton to Doald Tovey. Offering Tovey sympathy over the death of Joachim. Holograph signed, annotated in blue ink by Miss. Weisse.