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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 Pablo Casals, 16 May 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L879
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 May 1934, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Accepting an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh. Holograph signed.

Dates: 16 May 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 Pablo Casals, 20 November 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L887
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 November 1934, Edinburgh, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 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 Pablo Casals, 27 December 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L888
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 December 1934, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussing a performance of Tovey's cello concerto in Barcelona and suggesting a date for a Beethoven recital by Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 December 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 Pablo Casals, 12 February 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L901
Scope and Contents

Letter, 12 February 1935, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Arranging a suitable time for Casals to perform Tovey's Cello Concerto and news that Casals is working hard with his orchestra. Holograph signed.

Dates: 12 February 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 18 February 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L902
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 February 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Suggesting Tovey should play a different Beethoven work at his recital. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 February 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, c05 April 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L903
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 April [1935], Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that a piano is unavailable for a rehearsal. Holograph signed.

Dates: c05 April 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 15 March 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L904
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 March 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. asking Tovey to send a corrected score to Casals and Arbos, the conductor, for the Madrid performance of Tovey's work on April 17. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 March 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 14 July 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L907
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 July 1939, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his friendship. Holograph signed.

Dates: 14 July 1939
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 09 October 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L908
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 October 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey well and a note of Casals trip to London. Holograph signed.

Dates: 09 October 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 20 November 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L909
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 November 1935, London, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Describing Tovey of the pleasure Casals got from performing Tovey's concerto in London, reassuring Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 November 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence