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 FrancisTovey from Auguste Freshfield, c17 November 1900
Letter, 17 November 1900, London, Auguste Freshfield to Donald Tovey. Invitation to a farewell party for Hubert Cornish. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald FrancisTovey from Richard Austin Freeman, c1932
Letter, 1 January 1932, Kent, R. Austin Freeman to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his Christmas gift , ' A companion to the Art of Fugue' , description of how Freeman has lost touch with music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Frederick Wolff Ogilvie from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 May 1939
Letter, 25 May 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to F. W. Ogilvie. Acceptance of request from the B. B. C to give a talk. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Granville Ransome Bantock from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 November 1922
Letter, 13 November 1922, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Granville Bantock. Discussion of University examinations and two particular students. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Granville Ransome Bantock from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 1924
Letter, [1924], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Granville Bantock. Request for a signature and discussing a new volume of Bach. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Hugh Allen from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 November 1933
Letter, 23 November 1933, London, Donald Tovey to Hugh Allen. Allen assuring Tovey that he will help with examinations. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Percy Carter Buck from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir Percy Carter Buck. Discussion of the music degree including discussion of examinations and a merge with Arts courses. Holograph.
Letter to Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 May 1939
Letter, 28 May 1939, Suffolk, Donald Francis Tovey to Thomas Armstrong. Informing of arrival in Edinburgh. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 June 1939
Letter, 2 June 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Thomas Armstrong. Passing on degree work and examinations. Typescript.
Letter to Sir William Henry Hadow from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1910
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Sir William Henry Hadow. Tovey elucidating his differing view on fugues, after reviewing Hadow's work. Holograph unfinished.