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 Gustav Theodore Holst, c20 February 1924
Letter, 20 February 1924, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Declining an honorary degree, but thanking Tovey for the honour. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Marrimer, 14 October 1933
Letter, 14 October 1933, Sussex, Guy Marrimer to Donald Tovey. Consoling Tovey over a 'slip' during a radio broadcast and praising the tone quality and superb playing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Marrimer, 10 October 1933
Letter, 10 October 1933, Sussex, Guy Marrimer to Donald Tovey. Praising the broadcast of Beethoven's Opus 2, No. 2 conducted by Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Maynard Liddell, c17 February 1935
Letter, 17 February 1935, Surrey, G. Liddell to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his Knighthood. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Maynard Liddell, 23 February 1937
Letter, 23 February 1937, Surrey, G. Liddell to Donald Tovey. Outlining an attempt to gain Royal support for Tovey's work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gwen [Tovey], 23 March 1922
Letter, 23 May 1922, Gwen [Tovey ] to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to stay in July. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H, 06 August 1922
Letter, 6 August 1908, Norfolk, H to Donald Tovey. Travel arrangements. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. A. Scott, 01 April 1925
Letter, 1 April 1925, London, H. A. Scott to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to reduce his article on Haydn and expressing pleasure that Tovey has agreed to do an article on Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. A. Scott, 17 December 1924
Letter, 17 December 1924, London, H. A. Scott to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey when the Cyclopeadia may expect to have Tovey's article on Haydn, and apologising for making alternative arrangements for an author for the Brahms article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [H. B. W], 31 January 1921
Letter, 31 January 1921, [H. B. W] to Donald Tovey. Discussing teaching of a young boy in maths and music. Holograph signed.