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 Wilma Halle, 25 December 1909
Letter, 25 December 1909, London, Wilma Halle to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for her kindness expressing a desire to play with Tovey for pleasure. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse fromSir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 December 1892
Letter, 14 December 1892, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notice of doctors visit. Holograph signed.
Letter to Stuart Deas from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 October 1937
Letter, 26 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Stuart Deas. Informing Deas of his ill health. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from F. W. Deas.
Letter to T. J from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 01 February 1918
Letter, 1 February 1918, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to T. J. Concerning Tovey's library and ms. and advising diplomacy with Miss. Weisse and news of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to the Editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 August 1928
Letter, 26 August 1928, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to the Editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Description of finished articles for the Encyclopaedia Britannica. Typescript copy.
Letter to the editor of The New Statesman from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to the editor of The New Statesman. In response to a Mrs. Turners criticism of his programme notes. Holograph signed.
Letter to The Librarian from G. I. C. de Courcy, 07 March 1962
Letter, 7 March 1962, New York, G. I. C. de Courcy to The Librarian, Reid School of music. Asking If the library has any copies of autograph letters from Joseph Joachim. Typescript signed, with annotation in pencil, from the librarian to Mary Grierson.
Letter to the Secretary of the University court from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 October 1919
Letter, 7 October 1919, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to the Secretary of the University court. Informing the University court how much money is needed for the Historical concerts, Reid orchestra and the musical interpretation class. Dictated signed.
Letter to Unknown from Cuthbert Kelly, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Cuthbert Kelly to Unknown. Thanking the recipient for giving a talk on Tovey. Holograph signed, incomplete, only the post script of a letter.
Letter to Unknown from Rev David Bruce Nicol, 08 November 1920
Letter, 8 November 1920, Edinburgh, D. Bruce Nicol to Unknown. Requesting that the recipient introduce Bruce Nicol to Tovey to advise on plans to start a musical association. Holograph signed.