Skip to main content

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 2127 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Charles Guthrie Esq. from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 29 January 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2543
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 January 1929, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Charles Guthrie Esq.. Discussion of the performance of the opera and the financial and legal considerations. Typescript copy.

Dates: 29 January 1929

Letter to Charles Guthrie from H. Middleton, 30 April 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2309
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 April 1929, London, H. Middleton to Charles Guthrie. Discussing the success of ' The Bride of Dionysus' and Tovey's greatness. Ms. Transcript.

Dates: 30 April 1929

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 Clara Gould from Annie Friedberg, 02 January 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2164
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 January 1925, New York, Annie Friedbourg to Clara Gould. Wishing Gould a happy New Year and informing her that she has had no news from Tovey. Typescript signed.

Dates: 02 January 1925

Letter to Clara Tovey from A. Rontgen, 10 March 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2662
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 March 1934, A. Rontgen to Clara Tovey. Asking if Rontgen may quote from Tovey's ' Times article', . Holograph signed.

Dates: 10 March 1934

Letter to Clara Tovey from Helen Christian Sutherland, c 26 May 1930

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2507
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 May [1930], London, Helen Sutherland to Clara Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance of Beethoven and Bach and praising Tovey's contribution to music. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 26 May 1930

Letter to Clara Tovey from Joaquin Pena Costa, 23 March 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2395
Scope and Contents

Letter, 23 March 1935, Barcelona, Joaquin Pena to Clara Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send details of his concert programme, material for the 'Pastoral', and expressing eager anticipation at the arrival of Tovey's concerto. Typescript signed.

Dates: 23 March 1935

Letter to Clara Tovey from Mary Beasley, 15 April 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2030
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 April 1952, Lincolnshire, Mary Beasley to Clara Tovey. Describing memories of Tovey after reading Grierson's biography. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.

Dates: 15 April 1952

Letter to Clara Tovey from Pablo Casals, 17 May 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L905
Scope and Contents

Letter, 17 May 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Clara Tovey. Hoping Lady Tovey had a good voyage, praising her husband and wishing her well. Holograph signed.

Dates: 17 May 1935

Letter to Clara Tovey from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 11 July 1940

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2545
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 July 1940, Surrey, Robert Trevelyan to Clara Tovey. Expressing grief and sympathy after the death of Tovey. Holograph signed, with envelope.

Dates: 11 July 1940