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, 28 April 1934
Letter, 28 April 1934, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his performance in Barcelona, and inviting Tovey to Copenhagen to for the performance of his cello concerto by Casals. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 09 May 1934
Letter, 9 May 1934, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for a version of God save the King to be played by the Mozart Orchestra at the beginning and end of all performances. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 22 May 1934
Letter, 22 May 1934, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Describing rehearsals for two operas. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 25 May 1934
Letter, 25 May 1934, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for advice on the performance of Mendelssohn's midsummers night dream. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 28 June 1934
Letter, 28 June 1934, Buenos Aires, Fritz Busch to Donald. Requesting a copy of Tovey's version of Beethoven's Prometheus and notes on a performance by Fritz Busch. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 16 November 1934
Letter, 16 November 1934, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing problems with concert dates and asking about the award ceremony of the doctorate of music at Edinburgh University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 12 January 1935
Letter, 12 January 1935, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to suggest a Bach cantata to perform. Holograph signed, with two stamps.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 29 January 1935
Letter, 29 January 1935, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing a concert programme and describing the political situation in Germany. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing a performance at Glyndebourne. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 16 February 1935
Letter, 16 February 1935, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that mail is arriving, but is being vetted, Praising Tovey's musical analyses and his music, plans for a concert in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.