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, 03 November 1932
Letter, 3 November 1932, Dorking, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Criticism of a broadcast of Grierson's cadenza's, and advice on improvements. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 October 1932
Letter, 1 October 1932, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for the orchestration at the end of Act I of The Bride of Dionysus. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 November 1932
Letter, 22 November 1932, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Advice on how to deal with the Reid Orchestra's next performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 December 1932
Letter, 13 December 1932, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for a concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1933
Letter, January 1933, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Points of orchestration for piece by Dvorak. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 August 1937
Letter, 19 August 1937, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Outlining reasons for performing a piece by Sibelius. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 August 1937
Letter, 6 August 1937, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Criticism of a sketch, and discussion of Georgina Henschel. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1937
Letter, [1937], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Details of conditions for performing Holst's "Hymn of Jesus". Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 04 May 1938
Letter, 4 May 1938, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. A glowing reference for Mary Grierson. Ms. Transcript.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 March 1934
Letter, 26 March 1934, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of two pupils success in the degree examinations, and one pupils interfering mother. Holograph signed.