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 W. B. Moonie, 13 November 1933
Letter, 13 November 1933, Edinburgh, W. B. Moonie to Donald Tovey. Notes to Tovey on the forthcoming performance of his work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. B. Moonie, 02 December 1933
Letter, 2 December 1933, Edinburgh, W. B. Moonie to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for putting Moonie's work on the Reid orchestra programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. B. Wordsworth, c 01 November 1934
Letter, 1 November 1934, Edinburgh, W. B. Wordsworth to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's cello concerto and refuting any criticism. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W Greenhouse Allt, 05 July 1934
Letter, 5 July 1934, Edinburgh, Allt to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Holst's ' Hymn of Jesus' may be too difficult to perform, because of the choir and difficulty in arranging rehearsals. Typescript signed, with pencil letter from Tovey to Mary Grierson on the back, objecting to Allt's points.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. H. Leslie, 04 June 1921
Letter, 4 June 1921, London, W. H. Leslie to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to become a member of the Gervase Elwes fund. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. M. Tso, 06 March 1939
Letter, 6 March 1939, Hong Kong, W. M. Tso to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to recommend books on the great composers, harmony and composition. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. Orloff, 06 December 1931
Letter, 6 December 1931, London, W. Orloff to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey, for his kindness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. P Herberts, 16 June 1931
Letter, 16 June 1931, London, W. P Herberts to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his communication and news of Herbert's engagements. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. Paton, 10 March 1910
Letter, 10 March 1910, London, W. Paton to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for producing a programme of works by Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. R. H. Johnston, 17 November 1923
Letter, 17 November 1923, Edinburgh, W. R. H. Johnston to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for agreeing to give a recital at the Scottish Arts Club and a provisional date. Holograph signed.