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 Fritz Busch, 06 July 1925
Letter, 6 July 1925, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Concerning Fritz Busch' performances and an article in Musikzeitschrift magazine, 1923. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 28 December 1926
Letter, 28 December 1926, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of progress made in trying to obtain music from German publishers on Tovey's behalf. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 03 November 1931
Letter, 3 November 1931, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Concerning Tovey's illness, thanking Tovey for help with the composition of a psalm and an invitation for Tovey to play Bach's Brandenburg concerto. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 10 December 1931
Letter,10 December 1931, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Describing rehearsals of the state opera and inviting Tovey to perform, discussing the future of the young musician Gottfried Muller. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 16 February 1932
Letter, 16 February 1932, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing regret that Tovey will not be performing and outlining Gottfried Muller's plans to perform his psalm composition. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 21 May 1931
Letter, 21 May 1931, Dresden, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Recommending that a young musician and composer, Gottfried Muller, study with Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 11 February 1934
Letter, 11 February 1934, Zurich, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Delighting in his friendship with Tovey, exercising caution because of the delicate situation in Germany. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 06 April 1934
Letter, 6 April 1934, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Concerning the publication of Tovey's cello concerto and his musical analyses. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 17 April 1934
Letter, 17 April 1934, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. News of the Busch brothers in Edinburgh, Fritz Busch directing Sergeant concerts in London and plans to work with Casals. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 25 April 1934
Letter, 25 April 1934, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for a performance of the Busch quartet asking Tovey to suggest suitable musicians. Holograph signed.