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 Gerrard Warre Cornish from Rev Duncan Crooks Tovey, 20 January 1891
Letter, 20 January 1891, Surrey, Duncan Tovey to Cornish. Thanking Cornish for his sympathetic letter and describing a fire at the Tovey household. Holograph signed.
Letter to Guisepe Buonamici from Joseph Joachim, 09 April 1906
Letter, 9 April 1906, Berlin, Joseph Joachim to Guisepe Buonamici. Introducing Tovey and describing his talents, to Buonamici. Ms. Transcript by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Gustav Theodore Holst from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 September 1923
Letter, 9 September 1923, Stuttgart, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Gustav Holst. Wishing Holst success, praising his work, the 'Hymn of Jesus' and describing Rolf Lauckner's translation of the work into German. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Gustav Theodore Holst from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c 22 April 1920
Letter, 22 April [n.d] , Kent, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Gustav Theodore Holst. In praise of Holst's " Hymn of Jesus ". Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Gwen Tovey from Clara Tovey, c 09 December 1940
Letter, 9 December [n.d], Edinburgh, Clara Tovey to Gwen. Thanking Gwen for her letter, and outlining the idea behind Foss' biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to H. A. Scott from [Jean Kennedy], 14 July 1939
Letter, 14 July 1939, Suffolk, [Jean Kennedy] to H. A. Scott. Informing Scott that Tovey is not well enough to revise his contributions to The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Typescript copy.
Letter to Hamilton from George C. Pratt, 15 August 1941
Letter, 15 August 1941, Milwaukee, George C. Pratt to Hamilton. Praising Tovey's wit, culture and insight and commenting on music critics. Typescript.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from A. M. Powell, c 02 December 1942
Letter, 2 December [n.y], Kent, A. M. Powell to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of the whereabouts of some of Tovey's letters. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Arthur G. Reekie, 05 December 1932
Letter, 5 December 1932, Edinburgh, Arthur G. Reekie to Hubert Foss. Recounting memories of Tovey and praising the great man. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Carl Fuchs, 26 November 1941
Letter, 26 November 1941, Manchester, Carl Fuchs to Hubert Foss. Praising Tovey's intellect and musician ship, and describing memories of a performance Tovey gave at the house of Gustav Behrens. Holograph signed.