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 Mr Craxton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [c1895], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr Craxton. Notes on the publication of musical analyses. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Hilliard from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Oxford, Donald Tovey to Mr. Hilliard. Thanking Hilliard for a donation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mr. Jekyll from Sophie Weisse, c1940
Letter, [n.d], Sophie Weisse to Mr. Jekyll. Outlining Miss. Weisse's plans for Tovey's library and requesting that Jekyll send someone to value the books and library as a whole. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 June 1931
Letter, 15 June 1931, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mr Lee Ashton. Apologising for late payment of examiners fees. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 February 1932
Letter, 23 February 1932, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Lee Ashton. Explanation for resignation from the International Society of Musicians. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Mr. Lee Ashton. Offering advice for a musical examination. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr. Leslie from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Leslie. Asking about the programme for the Broadwood concerts. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Mr. Lodge from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 April 1918
Letter, 12 April 1918, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mr. Lodge. Report of years expenses and finances. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mr Paget from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 February 1936
Letter, 20 February 1936, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mr. Paget. In sympathy after the death of Mr. Paget's mother. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mr Reeves from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr. Reeves. List of people to be sent a copy of Tovey's edition of Bach's XLVIII. Holograph.