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 Frau Roeyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Frau Roeyer. Introducing and recommending Mary Grierson. Holograph signed, written on "Cadenza for Brahms violin concerto" by Donald Tovey, with envelope.
Letter to Friedrich Niecks from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c28 June 1900
Letter, 28 June [n.y], Donald Tovey to Friedrich Niecks. Offering to play a programmes of Niecks choosing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Fritz Busch from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 October 1937
Letter, 3 November 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Fritz Busch. Requesting that Fritz Busch let Sir Donald Francis Tovey know when Sir Donald Francis Tovey's packet of B- minor mass continuo for organ arrives, and notes on the continuo. Typescript copy.
Letter to from, c 27 December 1920
Letter, 17 December [n.y.], Dresden, Walter Petret. Thanking Tovey for sending an analysis of a symphony and informing Tovey that Petret will send him a score. Holograph signed.
Letter to from Thomas Cuthbertson Leithead Pritchard, c1940
Letter, [n.d], Glasgow, T. C. L. Pritchard. Recollections of Tovey, describing his dignity and humility. Typescript.
Letter to G. W. Ballingall from J. A. Barlow, 23 April 1934
Letter, 23 April 1934, London, J. A. Barlow to G. W. Ballingall. Informing Ballingall that Tovey is being considered by the Prime Minister for a recommendation in the Birthday honours list. Typescript signed.
Letter to Ganzer Mann from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 01 July 1903
Letter, [July 1903], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Ganzer Mann. Writing about Mann's marriage and their forthcoming meeting. Holograph.
Letter to Geoffrey Cotsell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1931
Letter, [1931], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Geoffrey Cotsell. Advice on passing a sight reading examination. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss, with covering letter from Geoffrey Cotsell.
Letter to Geoffrey [Parratt] from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 October 1924
Letter, 9 October 1924, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Geoffrey [Parratt]. Notes on research Tovey has done and ideas he has put together for a book. Ms. Transcript, by Hubert Foss.
Letter to George Reginald Barnes from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 10 June 1939
Letter, 10 June 1939, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to the British Broadcasting Corporation. Invitation to suggest a subject for the National Lecture. Typescript photocopy.