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 Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1926
Letter, [1926], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Advice for Grierson's public playing and suggestions for her repertoire. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1926
Letter, [1926], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning the forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 April 1928
Letter, 12 April 1928, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Asking Grierson to suggest a suitable present. Holograph signed, with press cutting, ' a review of a Reid concert '.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1928
Letter, [1928], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for forthcoming charity concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1928
Letter, [1928], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1929
Letter, [1929], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes and plans for concert programmes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1929
Letter, [1929], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. News of Tovey's engagements and plans. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 July 1929
Letter, 6 July 1929, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930
Letter, 1930, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Instructions and plans for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 July 1929
Letter, 13 July 1929, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Announcement of arrival back from Stuttgart. Holograph signed.