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:
Postcard to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Denecke, 01 June 1946
Postcard, 1 June 1946, Oxford, Margaret Denecke to Hubert Foss. Concerning Foss's request that Margaret Denecke should write something about her friendship with Tovey. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Hubert James Foss from Sir Charles Otto Desmond MacCarthy, 31 December 1941
Postcard, 31 December 1941, Middlesex, Desmond MacCarthy to Hubert Foss. Asking Foss to indicate the length and nature of the account of Tovey that MacCarthy has been requested to write. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Lady Walker from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 May 1930
Postcard, 3 May 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lady Walker. Sympathising over her husbands illness. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Postcard to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 May 1936
Postcard, 27 May 1936, London , Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that a piece by Vaughn Williams and a piece by Falstaff should not be played together. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 June 1937
Postcard, 21 June 1937, Birmingham, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning a work recommended by Fritz Busch. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1937
Postcard, 1937, Glyndebourne, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Confirming a suggestion for a concert. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932
Postcard, [n.d] London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Advising Trevelyan on the staging of the opera, suggesting that Tovey and Hedmount should be more economical. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 July 1926
Postcard, 27 July 1926, Plymouth, Donald Tovey to Robert Trevelyan. Notes about the 'Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph signed, on black and white postcard of the smoking room, Cunard R. M. S. Laconia '.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Rontgen, 16 October 1922
Postcard, 16 October 1922, Amsterdam, A. Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Encouraging the Tovey's to vist Johannes and giving im their address. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 26 December 1934
Postcard, 26 December 1934, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his hospitality and for bestowing doctorates of music upon the Busch brothers. Holograph signed.