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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 W. Wainsupp, 04 March 1931

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1861
Scope and Contents

Letter, 4 March 1931, Edinburgh, W. Wainsupp to Donald Tovey. Sympathising with Tovey's confinement due to illness assuring Tovey that the Reid Orchestra will perform well without him. Holograph signed.

Dates: 04 March 1931
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. Wainsupp, 19 December 1932

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1862
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 December 1932, Edinburgh, W. Wainsupp to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey well, and details of the Reid concert. Holograph signed.

Dates: 19 December 1932
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from W. Worsley, 16 February 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1946
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 February 1920, Edinburgh, W. Worsley to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Worsely can not sign a contract, but will be available if required. Holograph signed.

Dates: 16 February 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 Walford Davis, 29 December 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1060
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 December 1934, Lincolnshire, Walford Davis to Donald Tovey. Praising a performance by Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 29 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 Wally Passer, 20 January 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1470
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 January 1925, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Introducing Passer's son Kurt who is coming to England and news of Passer's translation work. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 January 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 Wally Passer, 18 December 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1471
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 December 1924, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey and Passer's tours of California and Europe. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 December 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 Wally Passer, c30 May 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1472
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 May [n.y], Berlin, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to Dresden or Berlin. Holograph signed.

Dates: c30 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 Wally Passer, 01 February 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1473
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 February 1923, Prague, Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Enclosing newspaper reviews to Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 February 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 Wally Passer, c1921

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1474
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Wally Passer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his visit, concerned with payment to the Three Mark Press. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1921
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Biggar Blaikie, 09 June 1919

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L762
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 June 1919, Edinburgh, W. B. Blaikie to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for putting one of Blaikie's works to music. Holograph signed.

Dates: 09 June 1919
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence