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 Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 November 1893
Letter, 13 November 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Suggestions for a concert programme. Holograph signed, in pencil, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1899
Letter, 14 November 1899, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Family news and list of musical works Tovey requires. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 December 1893
Letter, 19 December 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concerning Palestrina annotation and requesting that Miss. Weisse brings several scores to Moffat. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 October 1894
Letter, 14 October 1894, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey settling in to his Balliol room and requesting his tennis racket be sent. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 October 1894
Letter, 21 October 1894, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing a music lesson with Mr. Farmer and a discussion of his loyalty to Dr. Parry. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 December 1894
Letter, 1 December 1894, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of Tovey's progress in classical scholarship, and his anxiety over balancing music scholarship and classical scholarship. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [1895], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Criticism of a concert Tovey attended, description of a concert Tovey gave and description of Tovey's Oxford contemporaries. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing Tovey's anxiety over his tiredness and inability to study. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [January 1895], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss Weisse for sending scores. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 January 1895
Letter, 16 January 1895, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Explaining the reason for his delay, and asking for advice from Parry via Miss Weisse. Holograph signed, with envelope.