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 Emanuel Moor, 10 December 1921
Letter, 10 December 1921, London, Emmanuel Moor to Donald Tovey. Arranging Tovey's concert in London on the Moor Duplex piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Emanuel Moor, 10 September 1921
Letter, 10 September 1921, Emmanuel Moor to Donald Tovey. Description of a musical representative from the Aeolian company viewing the Duplex piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Emilia Sophie Hawtrey, c20 May 1930
Letter, 20 May 1930, London, Emilia Hawtrey to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for performing a recital at Hawtrey's party. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Emily Ritchie, c 1929
Letter, [n.y], Emily Ritchie to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on the success of his opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Emma Parratt, 18 August 1929
Letter, 18 August 1929, Wilford - On - Sea, Emma Parratt to Donald Tovey. Requesting a progress report on Tovey's piece on Sir Walter Parratt and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Enrique Fernández Arbos, 30 April 1935
Letter, 30 April 1935, Madrid, E. F. Arbos to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey comes to Madrid to conduct his concerto as part of a homage to Casals. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erik Chisholm, c01 March 1935
Letter, [March 1935], Erik Chisolm to Donald Tovey. Apologising for not meeting Tovey for dinner and looking forward to seeing Tovey at a forthcoming performance. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erik Chisholm, 11 August 1939
Letter, 11 August 1939, Sussex, Erik Chisolm to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the formation of a National Council of music, inviting Tovey to stay. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erik Chisholm, 31 August 1951
Letter, 31 August 1951, Cape Town, Erik Chisholm to Donald Tovey. Concerning Grierson's visit to South Africa on a Nuffield scholarship. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erik Chisolm, 19 February 1935
Letter, 19 February 1935, Glasgow, Erik Chisolm to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to a performance. Holograph signed.