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 Joseph Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1903
Letter, [1903], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Joseph Joachim. Request to arrange concert with Vecsey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Joseph Joachim from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1903
Letter, [1903], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Joseph Joachim. Request to arrange concert with Vecsey. Holograph signed.
Letter to K. M. Howard from Hubert James Foss, 18 June 1942
Letter, 18 June 1942, Sussex, Hubert Foss to K. M. Howard. Covering note for a letter from Arthur Somervall to Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Clara Tovey from Stewart Deas, c 20 December 1901
Letter, [20 December 1901], Buckinghamshire, Stewart Deas to Clara Tovey. Suggesting to Lady Tovey that a book of Tovey's letters would be a good idea. Typescript signed.
Letter to Lady Clara Tovey from W. G. Fleming, 21 October 1940
Letter, 21 October 1940, Edinburgh, W. G. Fleming to Clara Tovey. Covering letter for a special minute of a meeting of the University of Edinburgh senate, expressing sympathy at the death of Tovey. Typescript signed, with envelope, with special minutes from the last meeting of the University of Edinburgh senatus, [2]p. 32 x 20cm.
Letter to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour. Thanking Lady Balfour for money, and description of a performance. Holograph, unfinished.
Letter to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lady Elizabeth Edith Balfour. A letter of thanks. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Lady Fisher ( Cecilia Warre Cornish ) from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1918
Letter, 1918, Dorking, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lady Fisher ( Cecilia Warre Cornish ). Acceptance of an invitation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 December 1935
Letter, 5 December 1935, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lady Grierson. Description of Lady Grierson's daughter's triumphs. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Mabel Emily McCormick from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 04 April 1930
Letter, 4 April 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lady McCormick. Letter of condolences after the death of Lord McCormick. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.