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 Gerald Warre Cornish, 11 October 1907
Letter, 11 October 1907, London, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Praising the sentiment of Tovey's songs and suggesting music is a real science inspired by God. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerald Warre Cornish, 06 November 1909
Letter, 6 November 1909, Russia, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to set a nonsense poem to music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerald Warre Cornish, 31 January 1939
Letter, 31 January 1939, London, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his new quartet and offering condolences after he death of Tovey's mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerard von Brucken Fock, 16 April 1934
Letter, 16 April 1934, Holland, Brucken Fock to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey perform Brucken Fock's suite. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerhard Herz, 19 September 1934
Letter, 19 September 1934, Dusseldorf, Gerhard Herz to Donald Tovey. Describing the political situation in Germany and asking Tovey's help so Herz can get his dissertation published in the United Kingdom and secure work as a musician and scholar. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gilbert Knight, 18 May 1930
Letter, 18 May 1930, Oxford, Gilbert Knight to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a concert on behalf of the Oxford musical society. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gladys Hans, 24 December 1924
Letter, 24 December 1924, Canvey Island, Gladys Hans to Donald Tovey. Describing misconduct and bad treatment and the position Gladys Hans is in. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Goodheart Rendell] Hal, 12 March 1917
Letter, 12 March 1917, London, [Goodheart Rendell] Hal to Donald Tovey. News of war operations, wedding wishes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gordon Bottomley, 11 December 1923
Letter, 11 December 1923, Edinburgh, Gordon Bottomley to Donald Tovey. Notifying Tovey that Bottomley is in Edinburgh with his new play and asking Tovey if he can attend an orchestral rehearsal. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gordon Bottomley, 15 December 1923
Letter, 15 December 1923, Edinburgh, Gordon Bottomley to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending tickets to a concert and explaining why Bottomley could not go. Holograph signed.