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 William Gillies Whittaker from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mr. Whittaker. Introducing Percy Snowden. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mrs. Baily from [ Endeaelum], 16 December 1941
Letter, 16 December 1941, Edinburgh, [ Endeaelum] to Mrs. Baily. Answering a query concerning a Canticulum that was sung at club meetings when Tovey was present. Typescript signed.
Letter to Mrs Baily from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, March 1929
Letter, [ March 1929 ], Edinburgh, Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs. Baily. Opera, especially Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde ". Ms. transcript by Hubert James Foss.
Letter to Mrs Baily from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 October 1931
Letter, 25 October 1931, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mrs Baily. Discussing Tovey's chances of being involved in a radio broadcast. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss
Letter to Mrs. Baily from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 05 March 1932
Letter, 5 March 1932, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mrs. Baily. Thanking Mrs. Baily for giving a lecture on The Bride of Dionysus. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mrs Henry Joachim from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs Henry Joachim. Covering letter for two canons. Holograph signed, with two canons, with envelope, and descriptive note.
Letter to Mrs Holman Hunt from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1906
Letter, [1906], Surrey, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Mrs Holman Hunt. Plea for subscription to concert series. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Mrs. Jekyll from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Mrs. Jekyll. Accepting an invitation on 23rd July. Typescript copy.
Letter to 'Mrs Joachim' from Donald Francis Tovey on the subject of Joseph Joachim's death
Letter to 'Mrs Joachim' from Donald Francis Tovey on the subject of Joseph Joachim's death, 1907
Letter to 'Mrs Joachim' from Donald Francis Tovey on the subject of Joseph Joachim's death, 1907.