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:
Note to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 01 June 1891
Note, 1 June 1891, James Higgs To Sophie Weisse. Requesting that Miss. Weisse tell Tovey that Higgs is expecting good work from him. Ms. Transcript, by Sophie Weisse, written on the back of a signed part of a letter from James Higgs.
Papers of Donald Francis Tovey, 1887-1951
Primarily the papers of Tovey himself but also reflecting the involvement of Sophie Weisse in his life and work and including correspondence of Mary Grierson about Tovey.
Postcard to Anna Walter Thomas fromSir Donald Francis Tovey, c1916
Postcard, 1916, Amsterdam, Donald Tovey to Anna Walter Thomas. Describing a successful concert at the Hague and enclosing a magazine article. Holograph signed, black and white picture of ' The American Hotel ' , Amsterdam.
Postcard to Donald Tovey from Ernest Walker, 25 February 1939
Postcard, 25 February 1939, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Sending love and thanks to Tovey. Holograph signed, on postcard of the Florentine school, fragment of alter piece, stamp and right hand corner of postcard missing.
Postcard to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 09 May 1924
Postcard, 9 May 1924, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to adjudicate an exam in Amsterdam and to select music for it. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 April 1910
Postcard, 9 April 1910, Hertfordshire, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Criticism of concert programmes. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 January 1913
Postcard, 24 January 1913, Hertfordshire, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Acceptance of an invitation to stay. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 November 1925
Postcard, 26 November 1924, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Announcement of Tovey's forthcoming marriage to Clara Wallace. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 September 1902
Postcard, 30 September 1902, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Acceptance of invitation to stay. Holograph signed, L143 - L144 sewn together.
Postcard to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1902
Postcard, 3 November 1902, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concerned with the layout of the Meiningen concert programmes. Holograph signed, L145 - L149 sewn together.