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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 Kenneth Anderson, 09 December 1928

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L700
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 December 1928, Edinburgh, Kenneth Anderson to Donald Tovey. Describing a performance that Tovey could not attend because of ill health and wishing Tovey a speedy recovery. Typescript signed.

Dates: 09 December 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 Klaus, 01 February 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1339
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 February 1937, Klaus to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Klaus can not perform in Russia because of political reasons, and thanking Tovey for sending Cadenza's. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 February 1937
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Klaus Tessier, 22 August 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1774
Scope and Contents

Letter, 22 August 1925, Dresden, Klaus Tessier to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans to perform Tovey's symphony with Busch in Dresden. Holograph signed.

Dates: 22 August 1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from L. M. Prentis, 26 March 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1500
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 March 1934, Edinburgh, L. M. Prentis to Donald Tovey. From the guardian of a student of music at the University of Edinburgh criticising the teaching in harmony and suggesting the student would had been better studying at The Royal Academy of Music. Holograph signed.

Dates: 26 March 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 Lady Cecilia Warre Cornish, c30 August 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1128
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 August 1920, Surrey, Cecilia Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a letter of sympathy concerning Warre-Cornish's father. Holograph signed.

Dates: c30 August 1920
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Laurella Maitland, c24 October 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1387
Scope and Contents

letter, 24 October 1920, Forfarshire, Laurella Maitland to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a cheque in payment of the instruction course for Mozart's sonatas for violin and piano. Holograph signed.

Dates: c24 October 1920
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Laurella Maitland, c29 November 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1389
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 November 1920, Forfarshire, Laurella Maitland to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey give Maitland a lesson on the piano in Mozart and Haydn. Holograph signed.

Dates: c29 November 1920
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Leonara Speyer, c 29 October 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1708
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 October [n.y], Leonara Speyer to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to dinner. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 29 October 1920
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Leslie Hays Heward, 26 March 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1251
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 March 1925, Cape Town, Leslie Heward to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey help the Cape Town orchestra on their tour of Britain, especially their visit to Edinburgh. Holograph signed.

Dates: 26 March 1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Lewis Bruce, 21 May 1928

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L782
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 May 1928, Berkshire, Lewis Bruce to Donald Tovey. Consoling Tovey over a family issue, and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.

Dates: 21 May 1928
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence