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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 the Leader of the Scottish Orchestra, 30 June 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1976
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 June 1920, Interlaken, Leader of the Scottish Orchestra to Donald Tovey. Introducing himself to Tovey, and asking for a place in the Reid Orchestra. Holograph signed.

Dates: 30 June 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 The Music Guild, 25 July 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L850
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 July 1937, Liverpool, The Music Guild to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to a supper in his honour. Typescript signed.

Dates: 25 July 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 the Palestine Broadcasting Service, 10 March 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1459
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 March 1939, Jerusalem, Palestine Broadcasting Service to Donald Tovey. News of the plans to broadcast Tovey's fugue on Palestine Radio and a request that Tovey write an article for the Palestine Radio Tomes. Holograph signed.

Dates: 10 March 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 Theodore Berger, c1914

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L761
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Berlin, Theodore Berger to Donald Tovey. Discussing performances by the D' Aranyi sisters and compositions by Theoder Barger. 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 Thomas A. Spring Rice, 05 January 1904

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1711
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 January 1904, Dublin, T. A. Spring Rice to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a date for a performance and a description of Dublin. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 January 1904
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Thomas A. Spring Rice, c 04 August 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1709
Scope and Contents

Letter, 4 August [n.y], T. A. Spring Rice to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey read through proofs of parts. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 04 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 Thomas A. Spring Rice, c 19 August 1909

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1710
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 August [1909], Wurttenburg, T. A. Spring Rice to Donald Tovey. Attempting to arrange a meeting with Tovey, details of Spring Rice's journeys. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 19 August 1909
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Thomas Barclay, 12 March 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L739
Scope and Contents

Letter. 12 March 1922, Edinburgh, Mr. Barclay to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for the pleasure he has given, praising the previous nights performance by the Reid orchestra, and other performances . Holograph signed.

Dates: 12 March 1922
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Thomas Busby, 25 December 1918

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L847
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 December 1918, London, Thomas Busby to Donald Tovey. A classification of orchestra players as agreed by the National Orchestral union, praise for Tovey's idea of establishing an orchestra and suggestions for the running and administration of the orchestra.. Holograph signed.

Dates: 25 December 1918
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Thomas Cuthbertson Leithead Pritchard, 17 November 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1501
Scope and Contents

Letter, 17 November 1937, Glasgow, T. C. L. Pritchard to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his cello concerto. Holograph signed.

Dates: 17 November 1937
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence