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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 Mary Felix DeMoville, 05 October 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1074
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 October 1925, Mary Felix DeMoville to Donald Tovey. An analysis of Tovey's handwriting, outlining his character. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 October 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 Mary Herbert, c27 November 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1231
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 November 1934, Surrey , Mary Herbert to Donald Tovey. Praising a series of concerts, especially Casals performance of Toveys work. Holograph signed.

Dates: c27 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 Mary Kelly, c02 February 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1321
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 February 1920, London, Mary Kelly to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending press cuttings and programme notes to Kelly. Holograph signed.

Dates: c02 February 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 Mary Scott, 11 March 1917

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1671
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 March 1917, Wimbledon, Mary Scott to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a kind letter of sympathy to Scott. Holograph signed.

Dates: 11 March 1917
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mary Warre Cornish, 27 April 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1041
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 April 1924, London, Mary Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey requesting to play with the Reid orchestra conducted by Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 April 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mathew Shirlaw, 21 March 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1681
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 March 1923, Edinburgh, M. Shirlaw to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey's opinion on Bailment's book on counterpoint. Holograph signed.

Dates: 21 March 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 Maud Cowan, c15 March 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1046
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 March [n.y], Edinburgh, Maud Cowan to Donald Tovey. Apologising for not attended extra practices of the Reid orchestra. Holograph signed.

Dates: c15 March 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 Maud Fletcher, 26 October 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1131
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 October 1924, California, Maud Fletcher to Donald Tovey. Outlining Mrs. Gould's funding for Tovey, and the difficulties faced in arranging concerts for Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 26 October 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Maud Fletcher, 16 October 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1133
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 October 1925, California, Maud Fletcher to Donald Tovey. Expressing gratitude to Tovey for his visit to Santa Barbara and news from there. Typescript signed.

Dates: 16 October 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 Maud Foulds, c1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1139
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Maud Foulds to Donald Tovey. Request to hear Tovey's opera. Holograph signed, author born Maud MacCarthy.

Dates: c1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence