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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 14 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 June 1928

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L130
Scope and Contents

Letter, June 1928, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Discussing plans to give Schweitzer an honorary doctorates from the University of Edinburgh. Holograph signed, photocopy.

Dates: 01 June 1928

Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 May 1932

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L133
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 May 1932, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Concerning ' The Bride of Dionysus', an organ recital in St. Giles cathedral, Edinburgh and Scweitzer's honorary degree from Edinburgh University music faculty. Holograph signed, photocopy.

Dates: 09 May 1932

Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 28 May 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L880
Scope and Contents

Letter, 28 May 1934, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussion of honorary degree. Holograph signed.

Dates: 28 May 1934

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L266
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1934], Eddlestone, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Praising a concert performance, discussion of Tovey's cello concerto, suggestion that Adrian Boult be offered an honorary degree. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1934

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert and Helene Schweitzer, 01 August 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1641
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 August 1929, Baden, Albert and Helene Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his part in the award of Schweitzer's honorary degree in music. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 August 1929

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Albert Schweitzer, 08 May 1932

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1647
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 May 1932, Holland, Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Schweitzer's plans to collect an honorary doctorate from St. Andrews university and hoping to do something with Tovey at the University of Edinburgh music faculty. Holograph signed.

Dates: 08 May 1932

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from C. Leuderdorf, 10 May 1921

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1353
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 May 1921, Oxford, C. Leuderdorf to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Oxford University has decided to confer the degree of doctor of music on Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 10 May 1921

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Theodore Holst, c20 February 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1274
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 February 1924, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Declining an honorary degree, but thanking Tovey for the honour. Holograph signed.

Dates: c20 February 1924

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. F. Giles, 09 February 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1168
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 February 1924, Edinburgh, H. F. Giles to Donald Tovey. Concerning the award of Honorary doctorate of music to Gustav Holst. Typescript signed.

Dates: 09 February 1924

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 16 May 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L879
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 May 1934, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Accepting an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh. Holograph signed.

Dates: 16 May 1934