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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 43 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Arthur Melville Clark from Sir Donald Francis Tovey,, 11 October 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L38
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 October 1937, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Arthur Melville Clark. Thanking Clark for editing a work, discussing musical scholarship. Typescript.

Dates: 11 October 1937

Letter to Charles Terry from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1917

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L685
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1917], Donald Tovey to Charles Terry. Informing Terry that Tovey wishes to remark on the editing of 16th century music, and detailed comments on Breitkopf Palestrina and Lasso. Holograph.

Dates: c1917

Letter to Edward Joseph Dent from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 November 1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L61
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 November 1936, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Joseph Dent. Discussion of Busoni's intellect, and covering note for cadenza's. Typescript copy.

Dates: 20 November 1936

Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L30
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles for The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: c1900

Letter to Erik Chisholm from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L32
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1900], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Erik Chisholm. Discussion of articles written for The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1900

Letter to H. A. Scott from [Jean Kennedy], 14 July 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L6777
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 July 1939, Suffolk, [Jean Kennedy] to H. A. Scott. Informing Scott that Tovey is not well enough to revise his contributions to The Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Typescript copy.

Dates: 14 July 1939

Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 February 1927

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L70
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 February 1927, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Hubert Foss. Request to edit work. Holograph signed.

Dates: 25 February 1927

Letter to Hugh Havergel from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 October 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L79
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 October 1934, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Hugh Havergel. Discussion of Bach's transcription of Clavier. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.

Dates: 30 October 1934

Letter to Jean Kennedy from H. A. Scott, 20 July 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2448
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 July 1939, London, H. A. Scott to Jean Kennedy. Hoping that Tovey recovers soon and enclosing a schedule of latest dates articles for the Encyclopaedia Brittanica may be received. Typescript signed.

Dates: 20 July 1939

Letter to Mr Craxton from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L41
Scope and Contents

Letter, [c1895], Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mr Craxton. Notes on the publication of musical analyses. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.

Dates: c1895