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, 15 July 1902
Letter, 15 July 1902, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of works Tovey has sent to Mr. Shipley and Mr. Such. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1901
Letter, [1903], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of how much Tovey should charge for a performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 January 1904
Letter, 12 January 1904, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's time in Germany, his awe of Joachim and his forthcoming schedule. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 February 1912
Letter, [1 February 1912], [Budapest], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a concert in Budapest, and confusion over a Steinway and Bosenlofer piano. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 April 1913
Letter, [April 1913], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing some time to be spent 'making music' with the Rontgens, development of Tovey's compositions, and of time spent at the Trevelyan's house. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 April 1913
Letter, 5 April 1913, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's arrival in Bonn, and news of the Busch family. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1914
Letter, [1914], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Report from Edinburgh assuring Miss. Weisse all is well. Holograph signed, written on University of Edinburgh headed notepaper.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 April 1914
Letter, [April 1914], Aachen, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a birth in the Busch family, arranging to meet Miss. Weisse in Paris, and a story of musical traditions in Aachen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 September 1915
Letter, [1 September 1915], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Edinburgh University senate meetings, the difficulty of arranging leave, thoughts on Tovey's position during the war and the status of the music faculty during war. Holograph.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 December 1915
Letter, 15 December 1915, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Wales and problems he may encounter leaving the country. Holograph signed.