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Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)

 Person

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 13 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 March 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L96
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 March 1935, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Lee Ashton. Suggestions for a suitable work to be transcribed into braille for a blind examination candidate. Ms. Transcript by Hubert Foss.

Dates: 11 March 1935

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1933

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L261
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1933], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on degree examinations and a concert. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1933

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L295
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1936], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes concerning music examination papers and the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1936

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L303
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Covering note for draft history examination papers. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1930

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 01 June 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L317
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 June 1939, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Covering letter for honours degree examinations in music. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 June 1939

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 01 June 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L318
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 June 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of exam papers, details of visitors to Edinburgh. Typescript signed.

Dates: 01 June 1939

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 02 June 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L322
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 May 1948, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Covering letter for examination papers. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: 02 June 1938

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L325
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Request for help in designing music examination papers. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1915

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L327
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Discussion of history examination paper, and request that Granville Bantock visit Tovey in Norwich. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1900

Letter to Mr Lee Ashton from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L95
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Sir Donald Franics Tovey to Mr. Lee Ashton. Offering advice for a musical examination. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.

Dates: c1900