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 George Walter Sanger, 29 November 1911
Postcard, 29 November 1911, Berlin, George Walter Sanger to Donald Tovey. Details of instruments necessary for a Bach piece. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 17 July 1931
Postcard, 17 July 1931, Puy de Dome, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on the memorial concerts. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Isabelle Georgina Maxwell Salvesen, 28 June 1921
Postcard, 25 May 1921, Edinburgh, Isabelle G. M. Salvesen to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the new Moor duplex piano. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes Rontgen, A. Adams and Robert Bruce, 28 October 1938
Postcard, 28 October 1938, Amsterdam, Johannes Rontgen, A. Adams and R. Bruce to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on a performance of the Reid orchestra. Holograph signed, on black and white postcard of an Amsterdam Street.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 26 June 1921
Postcard 26 June 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Requesting a copy of the score of Tovey's work for organ, and news of playing with the Busch quartet in Weisbaden. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 22 February 1922
Postcard, 22 February 1922, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to comment on Rontgen's music and describing performances of his film. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 08 November 1929
Postcard, 8 November 1929, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a forthcoming concert in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Knud Christian Jeppesen, 20 September 1934
Postcard, 20 September 1934, Copenhagen, Knud Jeppesen to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his ' wonderful ' interpretation of Bach's concerto in e minor. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Ralm, 01 May 1939
Postcard, 1 May 1939, Kent, Robert Ralm to Donald Tovey. Describing life in England after fleeing from Germany, and discussing Tovey's Trio opus 8 and a meeting with Joachim. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Roeyer, 12 November 1909
Postcard, 12 November 1909, London, Roeyer to Donald Tovey. Requesting Tovey's help with a Haydn score. Holograph signed.