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 Isabelle Duff from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 January 1934
Letter, 28 January 1934, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Isabelle Duff. Thanking Miss Duff for a present. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to J. C. Vawdrey from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 August 1893
Letter, 14 August 1893, Donald Tovey to J. C. Vawdrey. Arranging to pay a visit to ' say goodbye '. Holograph signed, with envelope.
Letter to Jean Kennedy from H. A. Scott, 20 July 1939
Letter, 20 July 1939, London, H. A. Scott to Jean Kennedy. Hoping that Tovey recovers soon and enclosing a schedule of latest dates articles for the Encyclopaedia Brittanica may be received. Typescript signed.
Letter to Joachim from Julius Rontgen, 20 July 1927
Letter, 20 July 1927, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Joachim. Discussing Tovey's visit and plans to publish correspondence. Holograph signed.
Letter to John Christie from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 April 1936
Letter, 7 April 1936, Bath, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to John Christie. Attempt to persuade Christie to put The Bride of Dionysus on at Glyndebourne. Typescript copy.
Letter to John Christie from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to John Christie. Reply to an invitation. Typescript copy.
Letter to John Herbert Foulds from Dame Emma Maud MacCarthy, c1923
Letter, [n.d], London, Maud MacCarthy to John Foulds. Discussing the possibility of performing Foulds' work. Holograph signed, incomplete, see also Maud Foulds.
Letter to Joseph Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Joseph Joachim. Birthday greeting and composition. Holograph, with two lines of music, with annotations in red ink by Sophie Weisse.
Letter to Joseph Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], Vienna, Donald Tovey to Joseph Joachim. Description of Vienna concerts and notes on Tovey's new pianoforte quintet. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Joseph Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Joseph Joachim. Invitation to stay. Holograph signed.