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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 6 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Hubert James Foss from F. H. Walker, 13 May 1943

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2563
Scope and Contents

Letter, 13 May 1943, Newcastle, F. H. Walker to Hubert Foss. Returning Tovey ms. to Foss and Walkers conclusions after analysing Tovey's handwriting. Holograph signed.

Dates: 13 May 1943

Letter to Hubert James Foss from F. H. Walker, 01 December 1942

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2564
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 December 1942, Newcastle, F. H. Walker to Hubert Foss. Requesting six samples of Tovey's handwriting to analyse. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 December 1942

Letter to Hubert James Foss from F. H. Walker, 07 February 1943

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2565
Scope and Contents

Letter, 7 February 1943, Newcastle, F. H. Walker to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss that Walker has been unable to analyse Tovey's handwriting as yet, and commenting on the way Tovey forms a letter 'A'. Holograph signed.

Dates: 07 February 1943

Letter to Hubert James Foss from F. H. Walker, 25 November 1942

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2566
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 November 1942, Newcastle, F. H. Walker to Hubert Foss. Requesting that Foss send some more examples of Tovey's handwriting and praising Foss's radio broadcasts. Holograph signed.

Dates: 25 November 1942

Letter to Hubert James Foss from FH Walker, c1940

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2567
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Newcastle, F. H. Walker. An attempt to assess the character of Tovey from his handwriting. Holograph.

Dates: c1940

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mary Felix DeMoville, 05 October 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1074
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 October 1925, Mary Felix DeMoville to Donald Tovey. An analysis of Tovey's handwriting, outlining his character. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 October 1925