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 [Hubert James Foss] from Isabelle Duff, 01 December 1941
Letter, 1 December 1941, Edinburgh, Isabelle Duff to [Hubert Foss]. Describing fond memories of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from John B. R. Whitfield, 20 January 1947
Letter, 20 January 1947, Edinburgh, John B. R. Whitfield to Hubert Foss. Describing a letter Tovey sent to Whitfield while Whitfield was student at Edinburgh University working towards an honours degree in music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Jonathan Reeves, 29 January 1942
Letter, 29 January 1942, London, Jonathan Reeves to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of correspondence between Sir Hugh Allen and Tovey, the untidiness of his manuscripts, his work on Beethoven and Brahms and memories of the young Tovey with Miss. Weisse. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Kenneth Anderson, 12 January 1944
Letter, 12 January 1944, Yorkshire, Kenneth Anderson to Hubert Foss. Praising Foss's broadcasts on Tovey and his work, and Anderson's memories of Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Lee Ashton, 05 May 1942
Letter, 5 May 1942, Edinburgh, Lee Ashton to Hubert Foss. Covering letter for letters from Tovey to Lee Ashton. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from M. B. James Jones, 01 April 1941
Letter, 1 April 1941, M. B. James Jones to Hubert Foss. Describing memories of Tovey and offering Foss a photograph of Tovey as a young man. Holograph signed, the author was Tovey's cousin.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Mabel McCormick, 08 December 1941
Letter, 8 December 1941, London, M. McCormick to [Hubert Foss]. Responding to Foss's request, published in the Daily Telegraph for letters to and from Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Maitland, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Oxford, Margaret Maitland to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss of Maitland's relationship to Tovey and reminiscences of Tovey and Maitland's youth. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 03 December 1941
Letter, 3 December 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Agreeing to write down recollections of Tovey, enclosing a letter from Tovey, and memories of Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Margaret. N. O. Baily, 27 November 1941
Letter, 27 November 1941, Midlothian, Margaret. N. O. Baily to [Hubert Foss]. Covering letter for letters from Tovey, informing Foss of the wealth of material Baily has on the Bride of Dionysus, suggesting she write down her reminiscences of Tovey. Holograph signed.