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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 81 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sophie Weisse, 03 December 1916

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2631
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 December 1916, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Robert Trevelyan. Enclosing the ms. score for the 'Bride of Dionysus', and inviting Trevelyan to visit. Holograph signed.

Dates: 03 December 1916

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from William Strecker, c1915

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2496
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], William Strecker to Robert Trevelyan. Thanking Trevelyan for writing, discussion of Tovey's completion of the opera, offering help with the production of the opera, news that Strecker is tired of his imprisonment. Holograph signed, written on German Prisoner of War notepaper, with a postmark, Alexandra Palace.

Dates: c1915

Letter to Robert Trevelyan from Loudoun Shepherd, 27 May 1931

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2453
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 May 1931, Edinburgh, Loudoun Shepherd to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning arrangements for 'The Bride of Dionysysus'. Typescript signed.

Dates: 27 May 1931

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey and Robert Calverey Trevelyan from W Clarkson, 15 March 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2084
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 March 1929, London, W. Clarkson To [ Donald Tovey and R. C. Trevelyan]. Concerning the price of wig hire for the ' Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript signed.

Dates: 15 March 1929

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey and Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Frances Dakyns, 24 April 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1050
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 April 1929, Sussex, Frances Dakyns to Donald Tovey and Robert Trevelyan. Expressing a desire to be in Edinburgh and congratulating Tovey and Trevelyan on the opera. Holograph signed.

Dates: 24 April 1929

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Camillo Ritter, 16 September 1919

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1524
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 September 1919, Glasgow, Camillo Ritter to Donald Tovey. Discussing the orchestra, the establishment of an advisory committee, and comment on Tovey's opera. Holograph signed.

Dates: 16 September 1919

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c 1928

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1517
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Donald Tovey. Details of a meeting with Hedmount who disliked plans for scenery, and news that Ricketts is looking after an ill friend. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 1928

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1928

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1518
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Donald Tovey. Details of the progress of the scenery and costumes for the Bride of Dionysus. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1928

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c 21 April 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1520
Scope and Contents

Letter, [21 April 1929], London, Charles Ricketts to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey and Trevelyan success and news of some improvement in Rickett's friend Shannon. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 21 April 1929

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Charles Guthrie, 06 May 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2188
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 May 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Donald Tovey. Discussing finances of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript signed.

Dates: 06 May 1929