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, c1899
Letter, [1899], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of concert and concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1899
Letter, [1899], London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. A description of Joachim's evaluation of Tovey's compositions. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1899
Letter, [1899], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Plans for forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 March 1899
Letter, 26 March 1899, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Explaining a correspondence with Joachim, and discussion of Tovey's concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1899
Letter, [1899], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on a visit to the British library and a meeting with Joachim. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1899
Letter, [1899], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's current composition's, discussion of rhythm in Beethoven's 4th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1899
Letter, [1899], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Analysis of the playing, rhythm and performance of ' The Bohemians '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 January 1898
Letter, 5 January 1898, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Christmas wishes, praise of a concerto by Joachim and a discussion of the progress of Tovey's composition. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 04 February 1898
Letter, 4 February 1898, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing the experience of playing with Kruse, details of a performance and of Oxford life. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [1900], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of engagements, asking Miss. Weisse for 'time off ' . Typescript copy of 544.