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 Mrs. A. E. Clapperton, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Renfrewshire, Mrs. A. E. Clapperton to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to give a lecture at Glasgow University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mrs. C. E. B. Russell, 09 July 1933
Letter, 9 July 1933, Lamberne, Mrs. C. E. B. Russell to Donald Tovey. News that Schweitzer missed Tovey while he was in Edinburgh and details of the work he is currently doing. Holograph signed, with a note in German signed by Schweitzer.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mrs. Reginald Carter, c09 May 1920
Letter, 9 May [n.y], Mrs. Reginald Carter to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Donald suggest a music teacher for Mrs Carters' daughter. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Murray Coutts-Trotter, 19 October 1917
Letter, 19 October 1917, Madras, Murray Coutts-Trotter to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the orchestra Coutts-Trotter has set up and requesting orchestral parts, also informing Tovey of the death of his mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from N. Fiddes Wilson, 22 January 1921
Letter, 22 January 1921, Hawick, N. Fiddes Wilson. Explaining why Fiddes Wilson can not receive visitors. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Naìndor Fettich, 10 December 1933
Letter, 10 December 1933, Budapest, N. Fettich to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the discovery in an old grave the discovery of a seventh or eighth century wind instrument that looks like a double flute. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Neville Cardus, 04 February 1935
Letter, 4 February 1935, Manchester, Neville Cardus to Donald Tovey. Praise for Tovey's ' Essays in musical analysis '. Holograph signed, written on paper headed ' The Manchester Guardian '.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Neville Stephen Bulwer-Lytton, 22 February 1907
Letter, 22 February 1907, London, Neville Lytton to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's lecture and expressing regret that the audience was not larger or more intelligent. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Neville Stephen Bulwer-Lytton, 17 March 1910
Letter, 17 March 1910, Sussex, Neville Lytton to Donald Tovey. Praising a concert given by Tovey, arranging subsequent concerts, and asking Tovey for some music suitable for Lytton. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Neville Stephen Bulwer-Lytton, 18 October 1910
Letter, 18 October 1910, Sussex, Neville Lytton to Donald Tovey. Expressing admiration of Tovey's performance and arrangements for the Aranyi's to give a concert. Holograph signed.