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 Trevor Hawey, 03 June 1936
Letter, 3 June 1936, London, Trevor Hawey to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending the score and parts of Hymn tunes, and details of the broadcast of a dirge. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 30 October 1930
Letter, 30 October 1930, London, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey and his wife for their hospitality, asking Tovey to recommend a teacher in Vienna for a pupil and describing an incident at Pagini's. Holograph, signed in musical symbols, author as 1994.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 26 May 1932
Letter, 26 May 1932, Berlin, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's ' Art of Fugue', and comparing it to work by Riemann and Graeser. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 28 April 1932
Letter, 28 April 1932, Dulverton, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Expressing regret that the author is not at the performance of the opera and asking Tovey as a favour to perform a concert with a friend who is in financial trouble. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, c1898
Letter, [1898], Hampshire, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to put a poem, about a farewell at a station, to music. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 20 January 1916
Letter, 20 January 1916, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Describing the authors attempts to find Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, c 07 February 1930
Letter, 7 February [n.y], Edinburgh, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of how enjoyable the author find her/his first Reid concert. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 11 August 1927
Letter, 11 August 1927, Unknown to Donald Tovey. Reminding Tovey that the author may be coming to Edinburgh, discussing a new book and attempt to get Cadenzas to a Mozart work in D minor. Holograph, signed in musical symbols.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 04 November 1923
Letter, 4 November 1923, Surrey, Unknown to Donald Tovey. News of an illness, causing paralysis of a young boy known to Tovey. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. B. Moonie, 04 December 1932
Letter, 4 December 1932, Edinburgh, W. B. Moonie to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for included Moonies, ' Springtime on Tweed ' in a Reid concert and for Tovey's programme notes that accompanied the work. Holograph signed.