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 Arthur James Balfour, 02 May 1907
Letter, 2 May 1907, London, A. Balfour to Donald Tovey. Covering note for two books Balfour is sending Tovey. Dictated signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 20 February 1918
Letter, 20 February 1918, London, A. Balfour to Donald Tovey. A letter of encouragement and assurance that Balfour will continue to be a patron. Holograph signed, in pencil on back of the letter Tovey has written a chorus for a song ' Israel in Egypt ' .
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 12 January 1927
Letter, 12 January 1927, Prestonkirk, Arthur James Balfour to Donald Tovey. Accepting an invitation to Tovey's class meeting. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 14 January 1927
Letter, 14 January 1927, Prestonkirk, Arthur James Balfour to Donald Tovey . Apologising for causing trouble and a suggestion that the orchestra should play Mozart's Jupiter symphony. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 16 February 1929
Letter, 16 February 1929, Surrey, Arthur James Balfour to Donald Tovey. Expressing Balfours' hopes that the new Vice-Chancellor of the University will support Tovey as Professor of music. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur James Balfour, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Prestonkirk, Balfour to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Lionel Smith, 27 October 1906
Letter, 27 October 1906, Oxford, Arthur L. Smith to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to accept the Nettleship scholarship at Oxford University. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Arthur Ware Locke, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Massachusetts, Arthur W. Locke to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey suggest some choral music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Aschberg, Aped and Crew Ltd., 05 May 1923
Letter, 5 May 1923, London, Aschberg, Aped and Crew Ltd. to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey lend some material appropriate for an exit of Nuns in a scene written around Thomas Baccarat, for a pageant at Harrow. Typescript incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from B. J. Dale, 12 March 1937
Letter, 12 March 1937, London, B. J. Dale to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his involvement in the Agnew prize. Typescript signed.