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 Joseph Joachim, 14 November 1903
Letter, 14 November 1903, Berlin, Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the violinist Vescey, praise of Tovey's concerts. Holograph signed, letter in bad condition.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, 13 September 1904
Letter, 13 September 1904, Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his communication, and news of Joachim's future plans. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, 14 August 1906
Letter, 14 August 1906, Gastein, Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. Arranging a meeting with Tovey, stressing that the conditions in Gastein are not good. Dictated signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Joachim, 13 April 1900
Letter, 13 April 1900, Joseph Joachim to Donald Tovey. News that Joachim will meet Tovey and Miss. Weisse in Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joseph Rudyard Kipling, 10 December 1920
Letter, 10 December 1920, Sussex, Rudyard Kipling to Donald Tovey. Inviting Mr. and Mrs Tovey to lunch at Batemans with Kipling. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joyce Fleming, 17 March 1938
Letter, 17 March 1938, London Joyce Fleming to Donald Tovey. Expressing her hopes to sing at Glyndebourne and a description of a concert given by the Busch quartet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 16 February 1921
Letter, 16 February 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a forthcoming performance of the ' Laughing Cavalier'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 19 November 1916
Letter, 19 November 1916, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Describing the concerts of the Busch brothers, and informing Tovey that Rontgen has written a sonata for Piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 13 April 1921
Letter, 13 April 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Writing of his envy of J. P. E. von Stolzig, who is being taught by Tovey and discussing certain compositions. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 16 May 1921
Letter, 16 May 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Offering Tovey an assesment of Mrs. Langdon, a pupil of Rontgen's and description of Rontgen's performances with the Busch quartet. Holograph signed.