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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, 25 April 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1912
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 April 1935, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Description of Miss. Weisse's bad health, giving Tovey some advice. Holograph signed.

Dates: 25 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 Sophie Weisse, 03 May 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1913
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 May 1923, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Expressing sympathy and sorrow over the death of Tovey's sister in law, and news of Tovey's son. Holograph signed.

Dates: 03 May 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 Sophie Weisse, 29 May 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1914
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 May 1923, Suffolk, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a problem with passports, advising Tovey on how to handle relationships, and concern over Tovey's son's operation. Holograph signed.

Dates: 29 May 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 Sophie Weisse, c 23 August 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1916
Scope and Contents

Letter, 23 August [n.y], Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Details of expenses and of Miss. Weisse's treatment and health. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 23 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 Sophie Weisse, 16 June 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1917
Scope and Contents

Letter, 22 September 1931, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey write to the Schlapps, and news of Miss. Weisse's time with Tovey's adopted son John. Holograph signed.

Dates: 16 June 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 Sophie Weisse, 20 June 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1919
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 June 1937, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. A covering letter for letters to and from Tovey's parents. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 June 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 Sophie Weisse, 05 November 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1920
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 November 1938, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Covering letter for ' a few precious things ', and a description of a book by Housman. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 November 1938
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, 20 June 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1921
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 June 1939, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. News of Lady de Vesci's death, and Miss. Weisse's memories of her. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 June 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 Sophie Weisse, c1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1923
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Sending Tovey some writing material and describing Knaphill. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1920
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, c1914

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1924
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Describing paper that darkens lamps so no light escapes into the room, and the village Miss. Weisse is staying in. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1914
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence