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 Herbert John Clifford Grierson, 22 March 1939
Letter, 22 May 1939, New York, H. J. C. Grierson to Donald Tovey. Hopes for Tovey's health, News of Grierson's illness and convalescence. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Herbert John Clifford Grierson, 29 December 1925
Letter, 29 December 1925, Vienna, H. J. C. Grierson to Donald Tovey. News of Grierson's trip to Vienna. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Herbert John Clifford Grierson, 29 March 1929
Letter, 29 March 1929, H. J. C. Grierson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his friendship, and for writing after Grierson's daughters concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, 01 April 1924
Letter, 1 April 1924, London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that his nomination as a fellow of the Royal College of Music has been approved by the Prince of Wales. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, c07 December 1924
Letter, [7 December 1924], London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey produce a work for publication on Bach's 48. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, 12 April 1923
Letter, 12 April 1923, London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of works on music to be published. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, c28 September 1928
Letter, [28 September 1928], London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Notes on Tovey's volume of essays and arranging a meeting. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, c24 October 1925
Letter, [24 October 1925], London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending items and news of a violinist going to Santa Barbara. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, 01 February 1932
Letter, 1 February 1932, London, Hugh Allen to Doald Tovey. Detailed discussion of performing The Bride of Dionysus in London. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Hugh Allen, 07 May 1924
Letter, 7 May 1924, London, Hugh Allen to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that he has been nominated a fellow of the Royal college of music. Holograph signed.