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, 24 May 1895
Letter, 24 May 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Inviting Miss. Weisse to lunch and a concert and a description of life at Balliol. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 June 1895
Letter, 11 June 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Outlining Tovey's anxiety about his studies in classics and description of a day out with Joachim. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 November 1897
Letter, 27 September 1897, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Journey to and visit to Mr. Watts at Limnerslease. Holograph signed, with duplicate typescript copy, incomplete, [1]p. 26 x 20cm.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 July 1895
Letter, 7 July 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Outlining Tovey's plans and apologising for breaking an engagement at 'The Hipkins'. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 July 1895
Letter, 20 July 1895, Lairg, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's tour of Scotland. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 August 1897
Letter, 1 August 1897, Bayreuth, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of journey to Bayreuth, and problems of language difference. Holograph signed, with two duplicate typescript copies, 26 x 20cm.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 August 1897
Letter, 3 August 1897, Maintz, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of journey to Bayreuth via the Rhine. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 August 1897
Letter, 5 August 1897, Bayreuth, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of music Tovey has heard in Bayreuth, including Wagner's, 'Ring', and music by Mozart, informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's purchase of a book of Rhine legends. Holograph signed, with two duplicate typescript copies, [2]p. 26 x 20cm..
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 04 October 1897
Letter, 4 October 1897, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse and outlining plans for his concerto and reading. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 October 1897
Letter, 17 October 1897, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of the start of term at Balliol, and plan to donate a copy of 'The Handel society's ed. of "The ways of Zion do mourn" to the Oxford musical club. Holograph signed, with a duplicate typescript copy, [2]p. 25 x 20cm.