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 Senne Parker, 14 November 1922
Letter, 14 November 1922, Birmingham. Senne Parker to Donald Tovey. News from Parker after her recent move to Birmingham. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 14 December 1923
Letter, 4 December 1923, Glasgow, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Boult expressing his admiration for Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 14 March 1933
Letter, 14 March 1933, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Confirming that Adrian Boult will be happy to accept his honorary degree from Edinburgh University. Holograph signed, written on British Broadcasting Company headed paper.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 03 November 1936
Letter, 3 November 1936, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Explaining why Tovey's concerto with Casals is not being broadcast by the B.B.C. Holograph signed, written on British Broadcasting Company headed paper.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 11 October 1936
Letter, 11 October 1936, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Thanking Donald for a letter concerning a postponement. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 04 March 1937
Letter, 4 March 1937, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood, plans for Casals and the concerto and news of a satisfactory recording of a Symphony. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, 16 December 1932
Letter, 16 December 1932, London, Arnold Bax to Donald Tovey. Details of a successful performance and expression that Tovey should recover from ill health soon. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Bruce Lyttelton Richmond, c1920
Letter, [n.y], Bruce L. Richmond to Donald Tovey. Asking if Tovey would write occasional articles on musical matters for The Times. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Bruce Lyttelton Richmond, c 28 April 1920
Letter, 28 April [n.y], Bruce L. Richmond to Donald Tovey. Requesting Tovey's article on The Joachim quartet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Charles Grant Robertson, 10 March 1923
Letter, 10 March 1923, Birmingham, Charles Grant Robertson to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the Chair of music at Birmingham University and the discussion of music as a faculty within a University. Holograph signed.