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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 12 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 20 October 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1346
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 October 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Discussing a German publisher for Tovey's ' Euryanthe' and performances of the work in New York and Prague. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 October 1922

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 23 November 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1348
Scope and Contents

Letter, 23 November 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to make alterations to piano scores and translate words, expressing an interest in the work of Passer, Swoboda and Pollack. Typescript, signed in red pencil.

Dates: 23 November 1922

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Veiel, 27 December 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1856
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 December 1923, Stuttgart, Fritz Veiel to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial situation in Germany, congratulating Tovey on a performance in Dresden and thanking Tovey for sending journals. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 December 1923

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Veiel, 11 July 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1857
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 July 1923, Stuttgart, Fritz Veiel to Donald Tovey. Explaining the economic crisis in Germany and arranging for Tovey to stay in Veiel's convalescent home in Germany. Holograph signed.

Dates: 11 July 1923

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Hermann], 30 October 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1989
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 October 1922, Stuttgart, [Hermann] to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to help H. J. Moser to perform and publish a work on Handel's Oratorio, asking Tovey to write an article for 'Scottish Musical Magazine'. Typescript incomplete.

Dates: 30 October 1922

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Hermann], 13 October 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1990
Scope and Contents

Letter, 13 October 1922, Stuttgart, [Hermann] to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a book, discussing plans to publish a book in German and English, reviewing Tovey's Euryanthe. Typescript, signed in pencil.

Dates: 13 October 1922

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ralph T. Langdon, 14 April 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1340
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 April 1923, Stuttgart, Ralph T. Langdon to Donald Tovey. Expressing an enthusiasm for the vacant post at St. Giles and detailing his plans unless Tovey requires him back in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.

Dates: 14 April 1923

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ralph T. Langdon, 18 March 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1342
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 March 1923, Stuttgart, Ralph T. Langdon to Donald Tovey. Concerning Langdon's power of attorney, and describing the 'delightful' time Langdon is having in Stuttgart. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 March 1923

Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. R. Lauckner, 04 October 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1344
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 4 October 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. R. Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Concerning Lauckner's collaboration with Tovey on 'Euryenthe' and plans for a concert performance of Schubert with Tovey in May. Holograph signed.

Dates: 04 October 1922

Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Dr. Ralph Lauckner, 19 October 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1345
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 19 October 1922, Stuttgart, Dr. Ralph Lauckner to Donald Tovey. Discussing a concert programme and the progress made on Euryanthe. Holograph signed.

Dates: 19 October 1922