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Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)

 Person

Staff Only

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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Roqueler, 07 May 1921

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1616
Scope and Contents

Letter, 7 May 1921, Edinburgh, J. Roqueler to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to a piano recital by Jean Baptiste Toner. Holograph signed.

Dates: 07 May 1921
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from James Bee, 03 April 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L752
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 April 1923, Edinburgh, James Bee to Donald Tovey. Covering note for information regarding The Edinburgh Opera company. Typescript signed.

Dates: 03 April 1923
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from James Higgs, 09 November 1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1253
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 November 1900, London, James Higgs to Donald Tovey. Praising a magnificent performance given by Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 09 November 1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from James Higgs, 03 June 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1254
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 June 1892, London, James Higgs to Donald Tovey. Commenting on Tovey's excellent counterpoint, and commenting and correcting his work. Holograph signed.

Dates: 03 June 1892
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [James Inglis], 10 February 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1985
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 February 1934, London, [James Inglis] to Donald Tovey. Description of feeling rejuvenated, and thanking Tovey for sending notes. Holograph signed.

Dates: 10 February 1934
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from James Watt, 29 August 1928

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1871
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 August 1928, Edinburgh, James Watt to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the plans for Miss. M. A. Weisse's house, and discussion of her inter vivos trust. Typescript signed.

Dates: 29 August 1928
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jan Hambourg, 21 October 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1216
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 October 1934, London, Jan Hambourg to Donald Tovey. Suggestion that Tovey and Hambourg perform several Bach and Beethoven works together. Holograph signed.

Dates: 21 October 1934
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jan Hambourg, c1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1217
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Jan Hambourg to Donald Tovey. Poetic description of a violin performance of a Brahms work. Holograph.

Dates: c1934
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jan Hambourg, 16 November 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1218
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 November 1934, London, Jan Hambourg to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending Beethoven and Brahms cadenzas and violin works, plans to come to Edinburgh for a Casals concert and a musical celebration. Holograph signed.

Dates: 16 November 1934
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jane Duff, 29 April 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1095
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 April 1929, Edinburgh, Jane Duff to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's opera and expressing the importance of its production to Scotland's, especially Edinburgh. Holograph signed.

Dates: 29 April 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence