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 Janet Teissier du Cros, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Janet Grierson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey and explaining how Janet Grierson feels unworthy of this help. Holograph signed, Janet Grierson better known under her married name, Janet Tessier Du Cros.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Janet Young, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Fife, Janet Young to Donald Tovey. Paying Tovey a small sum for appearing in the Madras College, Classical Chamber Concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jelly d' Aranyi, c1930
Letter, [n.d], London, Jelly d' Aranyi to Donald Tovey. Discussing composition, news of Adila and Alix Fachiri. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jelly d' Aranyi, c 26 June 1930
Letter, 26 June [1930], London, Jelly d' Aranyi to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his hospitality over a weekend. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jelly d'Aranyi, c 01 February 1930
Letter, February [1930], Jelly d'Aranyi to Donald Tovey. Praising an article written by Tovey and remembering times spent with Tovey and his wife. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jelly d'Aranyi, c1930
Letter [n.d], London, Jelly d'Aranyi to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send something to d'Aranyi. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jessie Clapperton, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Jessie Clapperton to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey's advice about a suitable fee for Worsley's horn playing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J.H. Collinson, 02 March 1923
Letter, 2 March 1923, Edinburgh, J.H. Collinson to Donald Tovey. Apologising for not returning a copy of Brahms sonata for violin and pianoforte lent by Tovey in 1921. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joaquim Pena, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Barcelona, Joaquim Pena to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey on the behalf of the ' Orquestra Pau Casals ' for offering to do two concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 26 August 1932
Letter, 26 August 1932, Northumberland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Concern over Tovey's health, news of composition work and of performing the compositions. Holograph signed.