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, 10 January 1893
Letter, 10 January 1893, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Arranging to meet Miss. Weisse. Photocopy of typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 January 1893
Letter, 9 January 1893, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Postponing Tovey's meeting with Miss. Weisse, and asking what is happening at Broadwoods. Photocopy of typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 January 1893
Letter, 9 January 1893, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has revised the first movement of his sonata, and details of Tovey's stay in Paisley. Photocopy of typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 January 1893
Letter, 9 January 1893, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has revised the first movement of his sonata, and details of Tovey's stay in Paisley. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 January 1893
Letter, 3 January 1893, Paisley, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey's lesson with Parry is on Friday, news of Tovey's travel arrangements, and his hopes to finish the first movement of his composition. Photocopy of typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey now has all the scores he requires and outlining the scores. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 December 1892
Letter, 25 December 1892, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Christmas greetings and enclosing a gift. Photocopy of holograph signed, annotations at end of letter by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 December 1892
Letter, 14 December 1892, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Requesting that Miss. Weisse tell Parry of his composition work, news of his compositions. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 November 1892
Letter, 1 November 1892, Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Enclosing the manuscript score for Tovey's quartet and description of the work. Photocopy of holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 September 1892
Letter, [September 1892], Moffat, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for a parcel, informing Miss. Weisse of an invitation to Mrs. Coats and news that Tovey has competed a scherzo. Photocopy of holograph signed.