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 Sophie Weisse, c1942
Letter, [n.d], Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Sending Foss a picture of Tovey, and describing Tovey's death as a tragedy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sophie Weisse, c1941
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Enclosing photographs of the Tovey Memorial rooms, expressing Weisse's grief. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from Thomas H. Hamilton, 05 March 1942
Letter, 5 March 1942, Illinois, Thomas H. Hamilton to Hubert Foss. Memories of Tovey's tours of America and of Tovey's hospitality. Typescript signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from W. J. K. Pearson, 15 January 1942
Letter, 15 January 1942, Dorset, W. J. K. Pearson to Hubert Foss. Explaining that Pearson can not meet Foss in London for lunch, recounting an anecdote about Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from William Brocklesby Wordsworth, 16 December 1941
Letter, 16 December 1941, Surrey, W. B. Wordsworth to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss that Wordsworth has three letters from Tovey, which appeared in an article written by Wordsworth in ' Music and Letters'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert James Foss from William Giles Whittaker, 26 November 1941
Letter, 26 November 1941, Glasgow, William Giles Whittaker to Hubert Foss. Enclosing Letters from Tovey in response to Foss's advertisement. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hubert JJames Foss from Sophie Weisse, 01 September 1941
Letter, 1 September 1941, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Commenting that Tovey did buy himself a big Bosendorfer piano before he died, and commenting on the tragedy of his life. Holograph signed.
Letter to Hugh Godley from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Hugh Godley. Stating reasons for retiral as adviser to the Classical Concert society. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Hugh Godley from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Hugh Godley. Stating reasons for retiral as adviser to the Classical Concert society. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Hugh Havergel from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 October 1934
Letter, 30 October 1934, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Hugh Havergel. Discussion of Bach's transcription of Clavier. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.