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 Maud Foulds, 30 April 1930
Letter, 30 April 1930, London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter of advice, outlining the problems in the production of Foulds 'Requiem' in London, and imploring Tovey to come to London to play the piece with Foulds. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Foulds, c1920
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to London for the production of Foulds 'Requiem', suggesting Tovey and Foulds play the Requiem for Lord Howard de Walden. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Grundy, 01 May 1929
Letter, 1 May 1929, London, Maud Grundy to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for the privilege of playing in the first performance of Tovey's opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Horne, 16 April 1923
Letter, 16 April 1923, London, Maud Horne to Donald Tovey. Offering a 'seraphine', to the collection of old musical instruments at Edinburgh University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud MacCarthy, c1920
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud MacCarthy to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for an enjoyable performance. Holograph signed, see also Maud Foulds (Maud McCarty's married name).
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud MacCarthy, 16 February 1923
Letter, 16 February 1923, London, Maud MacCarthy to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey write something praiseworthy in support of Foulds 'Requiem' to help raise funds to perform the work at 'The Queens Hall '. Dictated.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 02 October 1936
Letter, 2 October 1936, Rottingdean, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to suggest a tune for a song. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 08 October 1936
Letter, 8 October 1936, Rottingdean, Maurice baring to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Baring is delighted with Tovey's song and question about Tovey's stage directions. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 26 October 1936
Letter, 26 October 1936, Rottingdean, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for putting a tune to song words and comparing it to Baring's own tune for the same song. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 27 January 1937
Letter, 27 January 1937, Rottingdean, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Description of Baring's ill-health, suggesting that Tovey should answer his critics by writing something new, not by Baring's writing to the press in defence of Tovey. Typescript signed.