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 Frederick Septimus Kelly, 12 March 1909
Letter, 12 March 1909, London, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to stay, details of Kelly's activities, Kelly's wish to be as good as Borwick and Tovey, news of works by a Spanish composer, suggesting Tovey should give lessons, and of an amateur choir Kelly is conducting. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frida Busch, 25 March 1938
Letter, 25 March 1938, Basel, Frida Busch to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's compositions and inviting Tovey to the silver wedding service of Adolf and Frida Busch. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frieda Busch, 16 October 1938
Letter, 16 October 1938, Frieda Busch to Donald Tovey. Plea to Tovey that a young Austrian immigrant might be accepted into the faculty of music at Edinburgh University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frieda Busch, 19 November 1934
Letter, 19 November 1934, Frieda Busch to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey write an introduction for Trio Opus 49, for a concert given by Erik Chisholm in Glasgow. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 11 January 1934
Letter, 11 January 1934, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Describing the performance of the Bocklein suite by the Swiss orchestra and a discussion of Beethoven's works. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 21 January 1934
Letter, 21 January 1934, Zurich, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of Fritz Busch's arrival in Scotland, and praising and encouraging Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 22 December 1920
Letter, 22 December 1920, Stuttgart, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Praising an orchestra, informing Tovey that Busch has been offered the post of General Music Director of Saxony and describing Edward Dents visit. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 31 July 1921
Letter, 31 July 1921, Scharzwarld, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Awaiting Tovey's arrival and plans for concerts in Stuttgart and Rheingold. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 09 October 1922
Letter, 9 October 1922, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for material for a forthcoming concert and inviting Tovey to play in Dresden. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 13 September 1923
Letter, 13 September 1923, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for Tovey to play at a large concert in Dresden and outlining the financial crisis in Germany. Typescript signed.