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 Lord Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1908
Letter, [1908], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Arranging meetings, concerts and programmes. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Lord William Symington McCormick from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lord McCormick. Request to help John Foulds. Holograph signed.
Letter to Loudoun Shephard from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 12 April 1931
Letter, 12 April 1931, Robert Trevelyan to Shephard. Discussing a company's offer to perform ' The Bride of Dionysus' and requesting that a whole week be devoted to performances. Holograph signed.
Letter to Lucy Kemp from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936
Letter, [1936], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Lucy Kemp. Praising Kemp's performance. Ms. transcript by Lucy Kemp, with cadenza and covering note written to Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson and Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1925
Letter, [1925], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson and Lord Murray. Concerning a conductors fee for Tovey, when conducting the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson and Lord Charles David Murray from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1926
Letter, [1926], London, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mary Gardner Grierson and Lord Charles David Murray. Plans and finances for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 May 1919
Letter, 6 May 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Requesting that Grierson send Tovey a score, so he can copy the bassoon part. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1912
Letter, 3 November 1912, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Emphasising that music should be a faculty, not part of an arts faculty. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 June 1925
Letter, 20 June 1925, Cunard R. M. S. ' Franconia ', Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1925
Letter, 19 May 1925, Stuttgart, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Alterations to players and concert programmes for the coming season. Holograph incomplete.