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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 Sophie Weisse, 12 December 1893

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2732
Scope and Contents

Letter, 12 December 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Urging Tovey to write to Miss. Weisse and explain how he and 'Miss. Schumann' are. Typescript copy.

Dates: 12 December 1893
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 10 December 1893

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2733
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 December 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey on what to eat and drink, informing him of which train to catch in order to arrive in good time to sit an exam. Typescript copy.

Dates: 10 December 1893
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 14 July 1893

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2734
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 July 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Urging Tovey to write and let Miss. Weisse know how he is. Typescript copy.

Dates: 14 July 1893
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 29 October 1893

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2735
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 October 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Enclosing cod-liver-oil and advising Tovey to study for his forthcoming examination. Typescript copy.

Dates: 29 October 1893
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1891

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1875
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1891, Windsor, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Hoping to meet Tovey and outlining his forthcoming plans. Typescript copy.

Dates: c1891
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 21 January 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1876
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 January 1892, Windsor, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to work on the 'Airs', wishing Tovey well and advice on preserving his health. Typescript copy.

Dates: 21 January 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 Sophie Weisse, 08 February 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1877
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 February 1892, Moffat, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Expressing Weisse's anxiety to have Tovey back. Typescript copy.

Dates: 08 February 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 Sophie Weisse, 10 February 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1878
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 February 1892, Moffat, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for correspondence, and news of Aunt Jean. Typescript copy.

Dates: 10 February 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 Sophie Weisse, 11 February 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1879
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 February 1892, Moffat, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey on cleanliness and hygiene for the sake of his health. Typescript copy.

Dates: 11 February 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 Sophie Weisse, 19 February 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1880
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 February 1892, Moffat, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Asking that Tovey write and let Miss. Weisse know how he is, and advising him to stay away for a little longer. Typescript copy.

Dates: 19 February 1892
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence