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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 237 Collections and/or Records:

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

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L269
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Time schedule for concert. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1934

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 May 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L271
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 May 1924, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes for forthcoming Reid concerts. Holograph signed.

Dates: 11 May 1924

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1914

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L272
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestion that Tovey cooperates with a production of Brahms requiem at St. Mary's cathedral. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: c1914

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 June 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L274
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 June 1934, Czechoslovakia, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concert and details of the B.B.C's involvement. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 June 1934

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1916

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L275
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Explanation of changes to a concert programme. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: c1916

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, cJuly 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L278
Scope and Contents

Letter, July1935, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.

Dates: cJuly 1935

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 December 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L280
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 December 1935, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Administration and plans for forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed, on notepaper headed 'Scott's Hotel, Langham Street '.

Dates: 01 December 1935

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L287
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1936], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1936

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 June 1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L288
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 June 1936, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Details for forthcoming concerts. Holograph signed.

Dates: 08 June 1936

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 August 1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L294
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 August 1936, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes and plans for forthcoming concert series. Holograph signed.

Dates: 06 August 1936