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 Edward Hilliard, 27 October 1906
Letter, 27 October 1906, Oxford, Edward Hilliard to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a benefactor who wishes to offer Tovey £900 to give Tovey more time for composition and original work. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Hilliard, 26 October 1906
Letter, 26 October 1906, Oxford, Edward Hiliard to Donald Tovey. Discussion of an issue at Balliol. Ms. Transcript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Joseph Dent, 08 February 1935
Letter, 8 February 1935, Cambridge, Edward Dent to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood, criticism of Tovey's analyses, enquiry about Tovey's health. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Joseph Dent, 26 November 1937
Letter, 26 November 1937, New York, Edward Dent to Donald Tovey. Agreeing to meet Tovey's son, details of lecture programme, questioning Tovey on studies of Schubert's opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Maurice Isaacs, 05 January 1922
Letter, 5 January 1922, London, Edward Isaacs to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for the invitation to Northlands to see the Moor piano. Holograph signed, stamped.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Rontgen, 02 April 1925
Letter, 2 April 1925, Holland, Edward Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Rontgen use Tovey's notes for a performance of the 9th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 27 November 1906
Letter, 27 November 1906, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Refuting criticism in ' The Times', that Tovey's ensemble gave a bad performance of the Leibslieder waltzes. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 22 July 1908
Letter, 22 July 1908, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to inform Speyer of his time of arrival and arrangements for a concert programme to be printed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 16 August 1908
Letter, 16 August 1908, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Expressing disappointment at not seeing Tovey, news of Soldat's solos for a forthcoming concert and asking for Tovey's advice on the programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 22 July 1909
Letter, 22 July 1909, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Outlining a concert programme and asking Tovey's opinion on it. Typescript signed.