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 Isidor George Henschel, 25 October 1933
Letter, 25 October 1933, Edinburgh, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending two volumes of his work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, 03 February 1934
Letter, 3 February 1934, London, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending Reid concert programmes, poem about the decline of art and music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, c23 January 1920
Letter, 23 January 1920, London, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for the opportunity of singing in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Isidor George Henschel, c1930
Letter, [n.d], London, George Henschel to Donald Tovey. Notes on Tovey's work. Holograph signed, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir James Alfred Ewing, 25 March 1922
Letter, 25 March 1922, Alfred Ewing to Donald Tovey. A letter of appreciation of a ' beautiful' musical performance. Holograph signed, annotated in blue ink at top of page by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir James Alfred Ewing, 24 February 1925
Letter, 24 February 1925, Edinburgh, Alfred Ewing to Donald Tovey. Apologising for bothering Tovey when he is ill, and wishing Tovey well. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir James Alfred Ewing, 31 January 1929
Letter, 31 January 1929, Edinburgh, Alfred Ewing to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter. Dictated.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir James Steuart Wilson, 02 July 1930
Letter, 2 July 1930, London, Steuart Wilson to Donald Tovey. Explaining Wilson's critical article on Tovey's work as 'journalistic'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir James Steuart Wilson, c 01 March 1931
Letter, 1 March 1931, Edinburgh, Steuart Wilson to Donald Tovey. Description of rehearsals, and plans for performances. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Patrick Geddes, 12 January 1923
Letter, 12 January 1923, Bombay, Patrick Geddes to Donald Tovey. Description of the planning Geddes is doing in India and Jerusalem and asking Tovey how he would like a music faculty in a University to be designed, what are his requirements, to help Geddes in his work. Holograph signed.