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 Sir Frederick Mander, 07 January 1935
Letter, 7 January 1935, London, F. Mander to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood. Ms. Transcript by Miss. Weisse, with letter from Radford Jones & co.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Frederick Pollock, 04 June 1932
Letter, 4 June 1932, London, F. Pollock to Donald Tovey. Questioning Thomas Beecham's skill as a conductor and criticism of a performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Frederick Pollock, 25 July 1934
Letter, 25 July 1934, London, Frederick Pollock to Donald Tovey. Answering a request from Tovey concerning hymnology, and explaining that Pollock is busy editing Law Reports. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Frederick Pollock, 18 November 1933
Letter, 18 November 1933, London, Frederick Pollock to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for praising Pollocks new work, informing Tovey that the Pollocks listen to the radio in the evenings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Frederick Pollock, 30 April 1930
Letter, 30 April 1930, London, Frederick Pollock to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Pollock has been busy, but, has not forgotten that Tovey has requested Latin words for a cantata. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Frederick Pollock, 15 August 1934
Letter, 15 August 1934, Surrey, Frederick Pollock to Donald Tovey. Suggesting that the Latin hymns are too dogmatic and that the Vulgata, Psalms, Apocrypha, Job and St. Paul offer a wealth of material for hymns. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Frederick Pollock, 24 November 1934
Letter, 24 November 1934, London, Frederick Pollock to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on a concert performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Granville Bantock, 21 March 1925
Letter, 21 March 1925, Birmingham, Granville Bantock to Donald Tovey. Concern over Lord Murray's illness, arranging a performance by Sibelius, looking forward to Tovey's visit. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Henry Joseph Wood, 31 January 1935
Letter, 31 January 1935, Rome, Henry Wood to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Herbert John Clifford Grierson, 14 December 1923
Letter, 14 December 1923, Edinburgh, H. J. C. Grierson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for support given to Grierson's daughter, Janet, and a question about Vienna. Holograph signed.