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 [Balfour], 18 March 1923
Letter, 18 March 1923, London, [Balfour] to Donald Tovey. Offering Tovey advice on where to find the proof of a work that Tovey is interested in. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Batty Balfour, 02 December 1925
Letter, 2 December 1925, Surrey, Batty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Beatrice Harrison, 12 April 1929
Letter, 12 April 1929, Surrey, B. Harrison to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a copy of his sonata and asking for help to play it. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ben James, 10 February 1939
Letter, 10 February 1939, London, Ben James to Donald Tovey. Discussion of a report concerning Humphrey Milford's publication of a new edition of Handel's Messiah. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 16 June 1924
Letter, 16 June 1924, New York, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Explaining that Hoffman has had to keep a dinner engagement, but will be back to greet Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 11 September 1924
Letter, 11 September 1924, New York, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Attempting to arrange a meeting in New York. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 21 September 1924
Letter, 21 September 1924, Stockbridge, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Arrangements and plans. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 25 October 1924
Letter, 25 October 1924, California, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Outlining Hoffman's feelings about Santa Barbara as a musical centre, and that it would not offer a challenge to Tovey's skills, and answering Tovey's claims that promises were not fulfilled on his last trip to Santa Barbara. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Bernard Hoffman, 15 May 1924
Letter, 15 May 1924, California, Bernard Hoffman to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey bring the music to illustrate the lectures he is to give in Santa Barbara, details of the interpretation class. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, 09 April 1922
Letter, 9 April 1922, Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey give a lecture to the Woking workers association. Holograph signed.