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, 17 December 1900
Letter, 17 December 1900, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of an available room and of Germany. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1901
Letter, [1901], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's mother, a concerto and Tovey's consultation of Gevaerts, 'Cours Methodique'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1901
Letter, [1901], Arran, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of Tovey's variations at the end of a piano quartet and notes on his composition. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 September 1901
Letter, [September 1901], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for an invite to the Leeds festival. Holograph signed, with annotation in red ink by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 December 1901
Letter, 23 December 1901, Bonn, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of the nursing Tovey is receiving, his health and concern for ' the Princess '. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 January 1902
Letter, [14 January 1902], Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of the musical atmosphere of Vienna and Birthday wishes to Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 January 1902
Letter, 24 January 1902, Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing the trouble Tovey had in buying a piano in Germany. Typescript copy, incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 January 1902
Letter, 25 January 1902, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of a concert and Tovey's anger with Bechstein for giving him a poor piano. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1902
Letter, [1902], Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's time in Germany, comparison of English and German manners, outlining Joachim's criticism of his composition . Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1902
Letter, [1902], Berlin, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's time in Germany, comparison of English and German manners, outlining Joachim's criticism of his composition . Typescript copy, incomplete.