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 Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 01 May 1905
Letter, 1 May 1905, Cologne, Sophie Weisse to Mary Tovey. Informing Mrs. Tovey that her son is well and to play in some forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to MaryGardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 August 1937
Letter, 2 August 1937, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on Bantock work to be performed. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Messrs. Paterson from The Hispanic Society of America, 11 April 1922
Letter, 11 April 1922, London, The Hispanic Society of America to Messrs. Paterson, Sons & Co.. Requesting a copy of Tovey's ' Beethoven's Ninth Symphony: An essay in musical analysis', and enquiring after Tovey's previous essays. Typescript.
Letter to Miss Boyle from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 September 1931
Letter, 17 September 1931, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Miss Boyle. A criticism of Miss Boyle's musical work and of contemporary music in general. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Miss Budgen from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 November 1898
Letter, 9 November 1898, Biggar, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Miss Budgen. Arrangement for a lesson in harmony, counterpoint and composition and recommendation of suitable texts.. Holograph signed, with typescript copy.
Letter to Miss G. J. Lidstone from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 16 July 1931
Letter, 16 July 1931, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Miss G. J. Lidstone. Discussion of acoustics and Helmholtz's theory of timbre. Holograph signed, with press cutting and envelope addressed to Mary Grierson.
Letter to Miss Liddell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, cJuly 1904
Letter, [July 1904], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Miss Liddell. Outlining project on choral design. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Moira Leebody from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 October 1920
Letter, 14 October 1920, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Moira Leebody. Covering letter returning a copy of a borrowed book. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Burr from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr Burr. Covering note for a list. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Cameron from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 January 1932
Letter, 14 January 1932, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Cameron. Expressing a sympathy with the Edinburgh opera company. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.