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 Lady Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, c 01 December 1935
Letter, [December 1935], London, Albert Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Remembering time spent at Lady Tovey's, concern over her husbands hands and good wishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Tovey from Helene Schweitzer, 15 December 1935
Letter, 15 December 1935, London, Helene Schweitzer to Lady Tovey. Expressing concern over the health of Tovey's hands, reminiscing over happy times the Tovey's and Schweitzer's have shared. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lady Wemyss from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Prestonkirk, Donald Tovey to Lady Wemyss. Thanking Lady Wemyss for her hospitality. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 March 1935
Letter, 11 March 1935, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lee Ashton. Suggestions for a suitable work to be transcribed into braille for a blind examination candidate. Ms. Transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 June 1925
Letter, 20 June 1925, The Cunard R.M.S "Franconia". Complaining about a young composer referred to as Mooncalf. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Describing the season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c14 June 1900
Letter, 14 June [n.y], London, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Arranging musicians for following seasons concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1935
Letter, [1935], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Concerning the resignation of the leader of the Reid Orchestra. Holograph, signature missing.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 March 1935
Letter, 17 March 1935, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lord Murray. Suggestion that Kenneth Anderson take over the leadership of the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1934
Letter, [1934], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lord Murray. Asking Lord Murray to intervene on behalf of the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed.