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 Pablo Casals from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 April 1936
Letter, 12 April 1936, Bath, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Pablo Casals. Discussing treatments for his hands, suggesting a record be made of Casals concert, introducing Hubert Foss. Typescript copy.
Letter to Paul Adolf Hirsch from Hubert James Foss, 07 January 1942
Letter, 7 January 1942, Cambridge, Hubert Foss to Paul Hirsch. Describing a meeting with Tovey in Cambridge 1938, when Hirsch showed Tovey around his music library. Typescript signed.
Letter to Paul Adolf Hirsch from Hubert James Foss, 17 January 1942
Letter, 17 January 1942, Cambridge, Hubert Foss to Paul Hirsch. Information on a lecture given by Tovey at Cambridge on May 6 1938. Typescript signed.
Letter to Paul Hindemith from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Paul Hindemith. Thanking Hindemith for his letter and inviting him to visit. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1901
Letter, [1901], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Arranging concert dates. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 August 1915
Letter, 24 August 1915, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Asking if Denham can do anything to free William Strecker from an internment camp, discussion of the Germans and Germany. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 May 1908
Letter, 1 May 1908, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Lord Richard Denham. Arranging concert dates and programmes. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Richard Denham from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Richard Denham. Concerned with correct advertising and dealings with the press. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Robert Bruce from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 June 1939
Letter, 11 June 1939, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Robert Bruce. Thanking Bruce for his ideas about Oxford. Typescript.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from A. L. Middleton, 03 December 1941
Letter, 3 December 1941, London, A. L. Middleton to Bobbie, [Robert Trevelyan]. Thanking the recipient for sending a book and describing memories of Tovey as a young boy. Holograph signed.