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 F. V. Rushforth, 21 April 1936
Letter, 21 April 1936, Edinburgh, F. V. Rushforth to Donald Tovey. Covering note for photos of the Reid orchestra, congratulations on the performance and news of Rushforth's daughter in Munich. Holograph signed, with envelope containing two photo's of the Reid Orchestra and one of Donald Tovey.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. Valls Tadema, 07 April 1935
Letter, 7 April 1935, Barcelona, F. Valls Tadema to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for agreeing to come to Barcelona for the performance of his cello concerto. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. W. Deas, 16 January 1927
Letter, 16 January 1927, Edinburgh, F. W. Deas to Donald Tovey. Questioning Tovey on the balance of tone between piano and strings in the time of Haydn and how accurately is the sound the classical masters created emulated. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fanny Davies, 26 December 1917
Letter, 26 December 1917, Renfrewshire, Fanny Davies to Donald Tovey. News of Fanny Davies' stay in Kilmacolm and greetings to Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fanny Davies, 08 November 1922
Letter, 8 November 1922, Crewe, Fanny Davies to Donald Tovey. A letter introducing Cecily Bremer of Amsterdam, a singer, to Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fanny Davies, c06 February 1925
Letter, [n.d], London, Fanny Davies to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey well, and details of a book Davies is trying to get hold of. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fanny Davies, 02 March 1918
Letter, 2 March 1918, London, Fanny Davies to Donald Tovey. Introducing a young pianist to Tovey and suggesting Tovey become a patron and tutor of the boy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fanny Davies, c02 November 1929
Letter, 2 November 1929, Fanny Davies to Donald Tovey. Praising a performance given by Tovey. Holograph signed in pencil, with envelope annotated in pencil by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Florence Fernald, 30 October 1924
Letter, 30 October 1924, California, Florence Fernald to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a picture and arranging a person to manage his programme in California. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Florence Hall, 19 March 1929
Letter, 19 March 1929, London, Florence Hall to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at the production of the ''Bride of Dionysus', and news of her husbands illness. Holograph signed.