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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from W Warre Cornish, 11 March 1952
Letter, 11 March 1952, Edinburgh, W. Warre Cornish. Congratulating Grierson on her biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Walter Schlapp, 28 April 1952
Letter, 28 April 1952, Manchester, Walter Schlapp to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey and describing an article written by Tovey on Hindemith, published in the Radio Times. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Walter W, 14 March 1941
Letter, 14 March 1941, Belfast, Walter W to Mary Grierson. Discussing a radio broadcast, praising Grierson success with concerts and news of the 'W' family. Holograph signed.
Letter to Eda Levin from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 November 1928
Letter, 2 November 1928, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Eda Levin. Offering advice for the formation of a choral society. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Edith F. Ewart from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 October 1921
Tovey thanks Mrs Ewart for her letter and writes concerning his engagements for the forthcoming weekend. He mentions that he is settling into his house at 50 Manor Place, Edinburgh.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1937
Letter, 14 November 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Request that Dent should visit Tovey's son John. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 November 1936
Letter, 20 November 1936, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Discussion of Busoni's intellect, and covering note for cadenza's. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 August 1936
Letter, 7 August 1936, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Edward Dent. Introducing Elizabeth Schenck. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 March 1936
Letter, 16 March 1936, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Concerning sonatas in 14th volume of Venice Ms. Typescript copy.
Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 April 1935
Letter, 30 April 1935, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Request to translate a ballet by Dohnanyi, and note about Chisolm. Typescript copy.