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 Maurice Baring, 04 January 1938
Letter, 4 January 1938, Beauly, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on becoming a knight. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maurice Baring, 01 February 1922
Letter, 1 February 1922, London, Maurice Baring to Donald Tovey. Questioning Tovey on Purcell, Schubert and Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Max Hesse's Verlag, 20 October 1924
Letter, 20 October 1924, Berlin, Max Hesses Verlag to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's translation of the 'History of violin playing' into English and Tovey's entry in Riemann's Lexicon. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Methuen Co, 18 January 1922
Letter, 18 January 1922, London, Methuen & co to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send some news of his book ' A life of Beethoven '. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Methuen Co, 24 April 1924
Letter, 24 April 1924, London, Methuen & Co to Donald Tovey. Requesting a second time that Tovey send details of his progress on his ' Life of Beethoven'. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mieczys³aw Horszowski, 04 March 1936
Letter, 4 March 1936, Milan, Mieursiplau Hoursousk. Thanking Tovey and his wife for hospitality shown to Hoursousk during his stay in Edinburgh, and praising Tovey's Beethoven concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Miel Dieslel], c 23 August 1920
Letter, 23 August [n.y], [ Miel Dieslel] to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for the first postwar concerts in England hoping Tovey can arrange some in Edinburgh, hoping to introduce a younger English generation to songs and music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Molly Dickson, 28 January 1934
Letter, 28 January 1934, Edinburgh, Molly Dickson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his gift of Music to Dickson. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mona Mann, 25 July 1925
Letter, 25 July 1925, London, Mona Mann to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Mann and Lillian Barger would be pleased to sing for the Edinburgh choral union again and details of their current engagements. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mr. and Mrs. Strecker, 14 February 1935
Letter, 14 February 1935, Mainz, Mr. and Mrs. Strecker to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood. Holograph signed.