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 Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 January 1896
Postcard, 31 January 1896, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of the Tovey family, and Tovey composing music for his brothers play. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 August 1905
Postcard, 18 August 1905, Marlow, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's decision not to musically influence Kelly. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 August 1905
Postcard, 16 August 1905, Marlow, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of how Tovey is feeling. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1907
Postcard, 1907, Liverpool, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of musical works. Typescript copy.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 January 1911
Postcard, 16 January 1911, Maintz, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of the performance of acts 1 and 2. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 January 1911
Postcard, 17 January 1911, Frankfurt, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey discussing opera, modern music and his speed of working. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 August 1908
Postcard, 22 August 1908, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Loch Swen and music to accompany Greek mythology. Typescript copy.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 September 1908
Postcard, 27 September 1908, Skye, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Comment on the weather in Skye, and music to accompany Theseus coming out of the sea. Typescript copy.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 August 1908
Postcard, 31 August 1908, Morvern, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Music to accompany the minatour. Typescript copy.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1908
Postcard, 3 November 1908, Oban, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's completion of the first act of the opera and of progress with the rest of the work. Typescript copy.