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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, c1914

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1925
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Covering note for some letters, and requesting that Tovey send any for Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1914
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/L1926
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 February [n.y], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Discussion of Clegg's first concert and the advertisements for it. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1914
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/L1928
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Describing a performance of the first act of Cosi fan tutte. Holograph signed in pencil, on envelope containing a black and white portrait of Sophie Weisse.

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, c1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1884
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1892], Cambridge, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey on how to get to Worplesdon, and to pack everything. Typescript copy, incomplete.

Dates: c1892
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, 01 December 1921

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1907
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 December 1921, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Approving a concert programme of Tovey's, and news of Emmanuel Moor. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 December 1921
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/L1972
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Transcript of a letter from ' The Royal Institution' requesting that Tovey deliver a series of lectures. Ms. Transcript, with added personal notes from Sophie Weisse.

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 Susan Sushington, c 28 September 1910

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1738
Scope and Contents

Letter, 28 September [n.y], Bordon, Susan Sushington to Donald Tovey. Discussing Dent's translation of the Fidelio. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 28 September 1910
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from T Appleby Matthews, 08 March 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1403
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 March 1925, Birmingham, Appleby Matthews to Donald Tovey. Suggested programme of events for week of performances. Holograph signed.

Dates: 08 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 T. Ranken, 30 April 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1503
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 April 1929, Edinburgh, T. Ranken to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his opera. Holograph signed.

Dates: 30 April 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from T. W. Bourne, 26 December 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L775
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 December 1938, Norfolk, T. W. Bourne to Donald Tovey. Covering note for some fugues by Frescobaldi, and humorous note about Bournes new address. Holograph signed.

Dates: 26 December 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence