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 The B.B.C., 01 June 1939
Letter, 1 June 1939, London, The B. B. C to Donald Tovey. Arranging a meeting to discuss Tovey's subject for the National lecture, and to arrange details for the broadcast. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The B.B.C., 03 August 1939
Letter, 3 August 1939, London, The B. B. C to Donald Tovey. Details of the duration time of the National lecture and a request that Tovey send a resume of the argument and title of the lecture. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The B.B.C, 24 August 1939
Letter, 24 August 1939, London, The B. B. C to Donald Tovey. Arranging to postpone the date of the National Lecture until the beginning of January because of Tovey's ill health. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The B.B.C, 16 October 1939
Letter, 16 October 1939, London, The B.B.C to Donald Tovey. Details of a further postponement of the National Lecture. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The British Music Society, 14 June 1922
Letter, 14 June 1922, Liverpool, The British Music society to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey give a talk about the Moor duplex piano, to the British Music Society in Liverpool. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Edinburgh Musical Education Society, 28 December 1921
Letter, 28 December 1921, Edinburgh, The Treasurer, The Edinburgh Musical Education Society to Donald Tovey. Reminding Tovey of an engagement and New Year greetings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Encyclopaedia Brittanica, 21 December 1905
Letter, 21 December 1905, The Encyclopaedia to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey arrange a meeting with Mr. Chisholm, and asking that Tovey pass on an article to Edward Dent. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Encyclopaedia Brittanica, 22 April 1921
Letter, 22 April 1921, London, The Encyclopaedia Brittanica to Donald Tovey. Expressing anxiety over the fact that Tovey's article on Music has not yet been sent to the editor. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from The Encyclopeadia Brittanica, 19 July 1921
Letter, 19 July 1921, London, The Encyclopeadia Brittanica to Donald Tovey. Asking when Tovey will have completed his article on Music. Holograph signed.
Letter to [ Sir Donald Francis Tovey] from The Hispanic Society of America, 27 June 1922
Letter, 27 June 1922, London, The Hispanic Society of America to [ Donald Tovey]. Requesting a copy of Tovey's analysis of The Goldberg Variations. Holograph signed.