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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 11 November 1937
Postcard, 11 November 1937, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's cello concerto and Buschs' variations of Tovey's work being played in Edinburgh by Tovey's quartet. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 16 July 1930
Postcard, 16 July 1930, Bordeaux, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for performing a trio. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [C. V. J], 10 March 1922
Postcard, 10 March 1922, London, [C. V. J] to Donald Tovey. Discussing the King of Prussia and the London Philharmonic orchestra. Holograph signed, stamped.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. R. Lauckner, 04 October 1922
Postcard, 4 October 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. R. Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Concerning Lauckner's collaboration with Tovey on 'Euryenthe' and plans for a concert performance of Schubert with Tovey in May. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 19 October 1922
Postcard, 19 October 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Discussing a concert programme and the progress made on Euryanthe. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 01 October 1923
Postcard, 1 October 1923, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to Stuttgart discussing four piano pieces by Tovey and a forthcoming Schubert recording. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Monteagle, 05 March 1906
Postcard, 5 March 1906, London, E. Monteagle to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter and informing him of Monteagles engagements. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Eugene Zador, 28 December 1935
Postcard, 28 December 1935, Eugene Zador to Donald Tovey. Sending Tovey Zadors new work, asking how Tovey's orchestra and Cello Concerto are developing . Holograph signed, on black and white picture postcard, stamp and top right hand corner missing.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. S. Kelly, 05 October 1905
Postcard, 5 October 1905, Frankfurt, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Acknowledging the receipt of Tovey's concerto. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fanny Davies, 23 September 1924
Postcard, 23 September 1924, Basel, Fanny Davies to Donald Tovey. Informing Grierson that Davies has recommended her as a teacher. Holograph signed, date as postmark.