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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Annie M. Jehn, 07 April 1922
Letter, 7 April 1922, Edinburgh, Annie M. Jehn to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for playing in a concert to raise funds for famine relief. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Antonia Seyer, 19 February 1925
Letter, 19 February 1925, Hertfordshire, Antonia Seyer to Donald Tovey. Sending the Speyers best wishes to Tovey as he recovers from illness and news of the Speyer's lives. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Antonia Speyer, 23 January 1934
Letter, 23 January 1934, Hertfordshire, Antonia Speyer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his sympathy over Edward Speyers death. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arnold Schering, 11 March 1925
Letter, 11 March 1925, Halle, Arnold Schering to Donald Tovey. Requesting a copy of Tovey's new edition of Bach's 'well tempered piano' for inclusion in the Bach yearbook which Shering publishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 19 November 1921
Letter, 19 November 1921, London, A. H. Fox Strangways to Donald Tovey. Asking that Tovey proof and return his ' excellent' article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, c1920
Letter, [n.d], London, A. H. Fox Strangways to Donald Tovey. Suggesting that Tovey produce a comparative index of Haydn's quartets. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 20 January 1939
Letter, 20 January 1939, London, A. H. Fox Strangeways to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey check Fox Strangeways translation of the words of a ninth symphony. Holograph signed, with ms. score of Fox Strangeway's translation.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 16 October 1934
Letter, 16 October 1934, London, A. H. Fox Strangeways to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey write an article about Elgar. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 04 June 1925
Letter, 4 June 1925, London, A. H. Fox Strangways to Donald Tovey. Requesting Tovey's ideas on the essence of Schubert, commenting on contemporary music scholars, reminding Tovey to produce an accurate article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Henry Fox Strangways, 13 June 1922
Letter, 13 June 1922, London, A. H. Fox Strangways to Donald Tovey. Requesting Tovey's articles on quartets, an indication of the appropriate length of the article. Holograph signed.