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 Paul Wittgenstein, 14 January 1935
Letter, 14 January 1935, Paul Wittgenstein to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending some of his publications, comments on the new Schmidt concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Wittgenstein, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Salzburg, Paul Wittgenstein to Donald Tovey. Discussing Grierson's visit, and enclosing some composition work for Tovey to comment upon. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Wittgenstrein, 29 December 1932
Letter, 29 December 1932, Paul Wittgenstrein to Donald Tovey. New Year greetings and comments on Grillparzers ' Erinneringen an Beethoven '. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Percival Robson Kirby, 08 February 1939
Letter, 8 February 1939, Johannesburg, P. Kirby to Donald Tovey. Giving details of a ms. of a transcription of Haydn's works. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Percival W. Hulbert, 14 November 1924
Letter, 14 November 1924, Edinburgh, Percival W. Hulbert to Donald Tovey. Praising a concert at the Usher hall, and commenting on how similar Tovey is in appearance to his mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Percy Chester, 18 November 1936
Letter, 18 November 1936, Sussex, Percy Chester to Donald Tovey. Details of Tovey's relatives birth dates. Holograph signed, with pencil listings of dates of birth of the Tovey family.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pere W. Hulbert, 18 January 1922
Letter, 18 January 1922, Edinburgh, Pere W. Hulbert to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for an invitation to a Reid concert rehearsal. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Peter Rybar, 19 January 1939
Letter, 19 January 1939, Surrey, Peter Rybar to Donald Tovey. An expression of friendship and respect for Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Phillip Asbrooke, 07 February 1910
Letter, 7 February 1910, London, Phillip Asbrooke to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for assistance in choice of music for the pageant of London. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from ' Picker the less ', 11 January 1907
Letter, 11 January 1907, Dorset, ' Picker the less ' to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey what order three items should be played. Holograph signed.