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 Clara Gould, 07 January 1925
Letter, 7 January 1925, Boston, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Sympathy over Tovey's illness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, c1925
Letter, [n.d] Boston, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey what his future plans are and expressing friendship. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 03 February 1925
Letter, 3 February 1925, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a meeting with Friedberg, and that Gould is to increase her financial support to Tovey and news from Santa Barbara. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, c1925
Letter, [n.d], California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Sympathising with Tovey's illness and concern for his recovery. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Boston, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Offering Tovey financial support and describing a concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Constines], c11 November 1924
Letter, 11 November 1924, Surrey, [Constines] to Donald Tovey. News of Tovey's friends at Worplesdon. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cuthbert Morton Girdlestone, 30 April 1922
Letter, 30 April 1922, Cambridge, C. M Girdlestone to Donald Tovey. Request for a copy of Tovey's pamphlet on the 'Classical concerto'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cyril Bailey, 20 May 1930
Letter, 20 May 1930, Oxford, Cyril Bailey to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a gift made to The Oxford Music Society. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cyril Pearce, 24 April 1939
Letter, 24 April 1939, Norwich, Cyril Pearce to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his assistance at the last concert and asking if Tovey is owed any money from his trip. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cyril Pearce, 28 March 1939
Letter, 28 March 1939, Norwich, Cyril Pearce to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey play a Bach D Minor Concerto instead of a Mozart piece. Typescript signed.