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 [Brown], 06 March 1924
Letter, 6 March 1924, Biggar, [Brown] to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's radio broadcast and memories of Tovey's visit to Hartree. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [?] Busch, 07 April 1934
Letter, 7 April 1934, Copenhagen, [?] Busch to Donald Tovey. Thanking Donald for his friendship and attempting to arrange a meeting. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. F. M. Robson, 16 October 1923
Letter, 16 October 1923, Edinburgh, C. F. M. Robson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a gift to charity. Holograph signed, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. H. Bond, 03 May 1923
Letter, 3 May 1923, London, C. H. Bond to Donald Tovey. Asking for advice on what is a suitable group of subjects to select for an honours M. A. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. J. Caird, c 21 November 1914
Letter, 21 November [n.y.], Oxford, C. J. Caird to Donald Tovey. A covering note for letters sent to Tovey at Oxford and inviting Tovey to Oxford. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [C. J. G], c1920
Letter, [n.d] , [C. J. G] to Donald Tovey. Covering note requesting that Tovey ' do something' with some song lyrics and the song lyrics, concerned with drinking. Holograph, note in pencil on an envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. Leuderdorf, 10 May 1921
Letter, 10 May 1921, Oxford, C. Leuderdorf to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Oxford University has decided to confer the degree of doctor of music on Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. R. M. Banks, 03 January 1922
Letter, 3 January 1922, Kirkcaldy, C. R. M. Banks to Donald Tovey. Praise of Tovey's work, especially his programme notes and request that Tovey write a sentence about four works. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Camille Ritter, 05 March 1919
Letter, 5 March 1919, Glasgow, Camille Ritter to Donald Tovey. Arranging a meeting with Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Camillo Ritter, 02 March 1919
Letter, 2 March 1919, Glasgow, Camillo Ritter to Donald Tovey. Apologising for not being able to attend a reversal, and discussing his fee for attending the rehearsals. Holograph signed.