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 Walter Howe Jones, 10 October 1925
Letter, 10 October 1925, New York, Walter Howe Jones to Donald Tovey. Expressing pleasure at hearing Tovey play, hoping to arrange a meeting. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter R. Spalding, 09 November 1925
Letter, 9 November 1925, Massachusetts, Walter R. Spalding to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a lecture at Harvard University and a note about Spaldings book on music appreciation. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Raymond Spalding, 20 October 1925
Letter, 20 October 1925, Massachusetts, Walter R. Spalding to Donald Tovey. Outlining arrangements for Tovey's lecture on Beethoven's ninth symphony at Harvard University. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Schlapp, 24 November 1920
Letter, 24 November 1920, Walter Schlapp to Donald Tovey. Suggestions on performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Schlapp, 24 April 1929
Letter, 24 April 1929, Walter Schlapp to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on the performance of the Bride of Dionysus. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Schlapp, 22 October 1929
Letter, 22 October 1929, Walter Schlapp to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his kind words, . Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Schlapp, 02 March 1925
Letter, 2 March 1925, Walter Schlapp to Donald Tovey. Covering note for the first draft of a work to be included in a programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 20 April 1925
Letter, 20 April 1925, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Requesting Tovey's article on Brahms for Cobbet's cyclopeadia. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 14 March 1925
Letter, 14 March 1925, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's article, but asking him to reduce it in length. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Willson Cobbett, 27 February 1925
Letter, 27 February 1925, London, W. W. Cobbett to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending his ms., article, and programme notes. Holograph signed.