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 Ernest de Selincourt, 05 June 1923
Letter, 5 June 1923, Birmingham, Ede Selincourt to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey when he is arriving in Birmingham and arranging the best dates for Tovey to come. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest de Selincourt, 14 March 1939
Letter, 14 March 1939, Birmingham, E de Selincourt to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the chair of music at the University of Birmingham, and the qualities the suitable candidate needs. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Ernest Walker], c1920
Letter, [n.d], [ Ernest Walker] to Donald Tovey. News that 'the lady' has chosen to work with Frederick Moore rather than Ernest Walker. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 16 October 1906
Letter, 16 October 1906, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that a lengthy work should not be performed in front of a Balliol audience, and a suggestion that the Haydn fantasia should be played instead. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 15 October 1924
Letter, 15 October 1924, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Discussing a book on Schubert, and asking Tovey to consider Walker's work on Schubert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 20 February 1916
Letter, 20 February 1916, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Remarks on elements, history, form and Walker news. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, c 11 April 1916
Letter, 11 April [n.y], Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter on variations and a discussion of orchestration. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, c1898
Letter, 1898, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Description of a performance of Schumann quartet, asking Tovey to play at Balliol and news from Oxford. Holograph, incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erno Dohnanyi, 17 January 1923
Letter, 17 January 1923, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Discussing Dohnanyi's performance with the Reid orchestra and the need for rehearsals. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erno Dohnanyi, 11 November 1924
Letter, 11 November 1924, Budapest, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for arranging a performance with her husband and inviting Tovey to Budapest. Holograph signed.