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 unknown from [Robert Calverley Trevelyan], c1900
Letter, [Trevelyan] to unknown. Discussing comments made to Mrs. Strecker concerning Tovey's methods of working. Holograph, incomplete.
Letter to Unknown from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 March 1926
Letter, 16 March 1926, Tovey to Unknown. Supporting the idea that a scholarship at the Northampton school of music be established in memory of Leonard Borwick. Ms. Transcript.
Letter to unknown from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 10 May 1917
Letter, 10 May 1917, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to unknown. The proposed continuation of the Kirkhope choir. Holograph signed photocopy.
Letter to Unknown from Unknown, 04 February 1937
Letter, 4 February 1937, Hawkhurst, Unknown to Unknown. Defending Tovey's broadcast, written to someone who has criticised and been offended by what Tovey has said. Typescript.
Letter to Unknown from William Strecker, c1911
Letter, [n.d], William Strecker to Unknown. Informing the recipient that Strecker is to visit Godley and Denman, and a discussion of marketing a forthcoming concert series. Typescript signed, incomplete, top half of letter missing.
Letter to Unknown [ Sir Donald Francis Tovey ] from Frank Morley Fletcher, c1920
Letter, [n.d], California, Frank Morley Fletcher to Unknown [ Donald Tovey]. Describing the musical situation in Santa Barbara, informing the recipient of Mrs. Clara Gould's patronage. Holograph signed, incomplete.
Letter to Unknown [Sir Donald Francis Tovey] from Frank Morley Fletcher, c1920
Letter, [n.d], California, Frank Morley Fletcher to Unknown [Donald Tovey]. Travel arrangements, and expressing excitement at the recipients arrival. Typescript signed.
Letter to Volney from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, 1900, Donald Tovey to Volney. Advice on composition and pianoforte to the young Volney. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering note sent to Hubert Foss by Rachel M. Dyer.
Letter to Walter Stanton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 November 1935
Letter, 17 November 1935, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to W. K. Stanton. A discussion of Beethoven's Fidelio. Typescript.
Letter to Walter Willson Cobbett from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, [1930], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Walter Willson Cobbett. Informing of the commencement of a work on Brahms. Holograph signed.