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 Harold H. Joachim, 29 June 1939
Letter, 29 June 1939, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Passing on a message from Johannes, saying Tovey can publish a translation of a letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 25 January 1938
Letter, 25 January 1938, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Concerning the English translation of a letter. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold H. Joachim, 28 January 1938
Letter, 28 January 1938, Oxford, Harold H. Joachim to Donald Tovey. Concerning the English translation of a letter, including some edits of the translation and corrections. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harold Solomon Samuel, 29 May 1939
Letter, 29 May 1939, London, Harold Samuel to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that the Associated Board are keen to produce the 48th. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Harvey Grace, 06 March 1936
Letter, 6 March 1936, Chichester, Harvey Grace to Donald Tovey. Praising a performance of Tovey's minor fugue, as broadcast on the radio. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Haya Maclugan, 20 April 1922
Letter, 20 April 1922, Edinburgh, Haya Maclugan to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the wish to sell a viola and a description of the viola. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Haydn Brown, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Haydn Brown to Donald Tovey. Arranging to meet Tovey for an examination. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Haydn Brown, 07 October 1924
Letter, 7 October 1924, London, Haydn Brown to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending two volumes of Bach's works and Tovey's introductory notes, patriotic comments about England. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Sending reviews of Tovey's concerts in Prague and news of Swoboda's current projects. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Hoping to meet Tovey en route to New York. Holograph signed.