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 Robert Calverley Trevelyan from William Strecker, c1915
Letter, [n.d], William Strecker to Robert Trevelyan. Thanking Trevelyan for writing, discussion of Tovey's completion of the opera, offering help with the production of the opera, news that Strecker is tired of his imprisonment. Holograph signed, written on German Prisoner of War notepaper, with a postmark, Alexandra Palace.
Letter to Robert Finnie McEwen from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 February 1922
Letter, 14 February 1922, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Robert Finnie McEwen. Complaining about the poor way the Reid Orchestra is treated. Ms. Transcript, Paper embossed ' House of Commons Library'.
Letter to Robert Hausmann from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Robert Hausmann. Discussion of what can be performed at The Chelsea concerts. Holograph unfinished.
Letter to Robert King from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 03 May 1933
Letter, 3 May 1933, Suffolk, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Robert King. Discussion of cadenzas. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Robert Trevelyan from Loudoun Shepherd, 27 May 1931
Letter, 27 May 1931, Edinburgh, Loudoun Shepherd to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning arrangements for 'The Bride of Dionysysus'. Typescript signed.
Letter to Robin Humphrey Legge from William Strecker, 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, William Strecker to Robin Legge. Asking for Legge's patronage of Tovey and praising the composer, suggesting there is no living composer who has written and is likely to write Chamber Music like Tovey. Typescript, first page of L2488.
Letter to Robin Legge Esq. from Augner Ltd., 07 February 1913
Letter, 7 February 1913, London, Augner Ltd. to Robin Legge Esq.. Praising the work of a composer and musician [Tovey], enclosing reviews of the latest performances of his works and a prospectus of the Chelsea concerts, and expressing the hope that the artist will be supported by the English public. Typescript incomplete, first page of letter, L2501.
Letter to Rosalind [Maitland] from Clara Tovey, c 09 January 1940
Letter, 9 January [1940], West Baldock, Clara Tovey to Rosalind [Maitland]. Concerning a Tovey committee in London, Rosalind's gift to the orchestra, news of Lady Tovey's illness and of Tovey's memorials. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sidney Newman from Henry Harvey Wood, 25 October 1943
Letter, 25 October 1943, Edinburgh, H. Harvey Wood to Sidney Newman. Covering note for a batch of Tovey programmes, for Newman and the University librarian. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sidney Newman from Hubert James Foss, 28 November 1943
Letter, 28 November 1943, London, Hubert Foss to Sidney Newman. Concerning circulars for the Tovey memorial. Holograph signed.