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 Ria Ginster, 16 May 1932
Letter, 16 May 1932, Frankfurt, Ria Ginster to Donald Tovey. Accepting an invitation to perform with Tovey for a series of B. B. C. concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Richard Aldrich, 04 January 1935
Letter, 4 January 1935, New York, Richard Aldrich to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his title. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Richard Seymour, 12 June 1916
Letter, 12 June 1916, The Hague, Richard Seymour to Donald Tovey. A covering note for a letter of introduction to Baron Fallonm the Belgian minister, who will aid Tovey in his search for relatives in Antwerp of Vicomte de Brughen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Richard Snow, 20 October 1925
Letter, 20 October 1925, New York, Richard Snow to Donald Tovey. Expressing Snows appreciation of Tovey's performance and of his work for the Encyclopeadia Brittanica. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Richard Welling, c 29 September 1920
Letter, 29 September [n.y], New York, Richard Welling to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to New York. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Bruce, c07 July 1930
Letter, 7 June [n.y], Amsterdam, Robert Bruce to Donald Tovey. Details of Bruce's cello teacher and asking Tovey for advice in the continuation of Bruce's education. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Bruce, 15 June 1939
Letter, 15 June 1939, Amsterdam, Robert Bruce to Donald Tovey. Request for Tovey to send a reference for Bruce to Professor Beveridge at Oxford University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 30 July 1907
Letter, 30 July 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. A speech for Minos, part of the script of The Bride of Dionysus. Holograph.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 31 July 1907
Letter, 31 July 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Detailed plans and notes for the script of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 21 September 1907
Letter, 21 September 1907, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Suggestion in chart form for the ensemble and comments on the progress of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed.