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 Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 July 1908
Letter, 30 July 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Consoling Speyer over his sons University career. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 December 1908
Letter, 17 December 1908, London, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Covering note for Concert programme notes. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 25 September 1901
Letter, 25 September 1901, Surrey, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Edward Speyer. Acceptance of an invitation to stay. Holograph signed, L139 - L142 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sophie Weisse, c1920
Letter, [1911], Sophie Weisse to Edward Speyer. Condemning the classical concert series and Tovey's part in their organisation. Typescript copy.
Letter to Elizabeth Trevelyan from Percy Such, 11 July 1909
Letter, 11 July 1909, London, Percy Such to Elizabeth Trevelyan. Apologising for a misunderstanding caused by a letter from Miss. Weisse to Elizabeth Trevelyan and attempting to reconcile offence caused by meeting with Trevelyan. Holograph signed.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c27 June 1910
Letter, [27 June 1910], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Criticism of articles in The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Holograph in pencil.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles for The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1920
Letter, [n.d], London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Letter thanking Chisholm for editing work, and suggested he edit a collection of biographies. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [1900], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph signed.
Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1905
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph incomplete.