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, c1896
Letter, [1896], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Advice on musical themes, discussion of meeting with Parry. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 January 1897
Letter, 21 January 1897, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News from Oxford. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 February 1897
Letter, 3 February 1897, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News from Oxford. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1897
Letter, [1897], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing a meeting with a relative, Mary, and Tovey's advice to her concerning her singing career . Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 January 1898
Letter, 2 January 1898, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering note. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 February 1898
Letter, 19 February 1898, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's academic progress, and details of a forthcoming concert. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 February 1898
Letter, 1898 Feb 19, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's academic progress, and details of a forthcoming concert. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 March 1898
Letter, 13 March 1898, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a concert performance by Paderewski. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 March 1898
Letter, 27 March 1898, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on academic progress and thanking Miss. Weisse for an invitation. Holograph signed, with typescript copy, [2]p. 25 x 20cm..
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 May 1898
Letter, 5 May 1898, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing a concern for Miss. Weisse, informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's ill health, and a report on Tovey's studies. Holograph signed.