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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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Molly Curtis, 21 February 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2105
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 February 1952, Inverness, Molly Curtis to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope, place from postmark.

Dates: 21 February 1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Morris Meredith Williams, 04 March 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2646
Scope and Contents

Letter, 4 March 1952, Devon, M. Meredith Williams to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson of an oil painting by Meredith Williams of Tovey at a piano, and asking Grierson if she knows of a worthy institution that might like to acquire the work. Holograph signed.

Dates: 04 March 1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Myfanny Varley, 05 January 1954

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2552
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 January 1954, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to Mary Grierson. Wishing Grierson a happy new year and recounting stories of the Tovey family. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 January 1954
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Nancie Murray, c1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2327
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], [Edinburgh], Nancie Murray to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Oxford University Press, 18 January 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2101
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 January 1952, London, A. Peacock, for Geoffrey Cumberlege, Oxford University Press to Mary Grierson. Sending Grierson an early copy of her book on Tovey. Typescript signed.

Dates: 18 January 1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Patricia, 28 March 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2746
Scope and Contents

Letter, 28 March 1952, Bristol, Patricia to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, and news of Patricia's family and her life in Bristol. Holograph signed.

Dates: 28 March 1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Pauline Maze, c 03 July 1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2304
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 July [n.y], Prades, Pauline Maze to Mary Grierson. Description of a festival in Prades, requesting a copy of Tovey's Pasacaille for piano, and praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.

Dates: c 03 July 1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peggie Sampson, c 17 April 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2444
Scope and Contents

Letter, 17 April [n.y], Winnipeg, Peggie Sampson to Mary Grierson. Enclosing a review of Grierson's biography of Tovey, praising the work and news from Canada. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 17 April 1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peter Charles Arthur Wishart, 06 June 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2650
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 May 1952, Birmingham, Peter Wishart to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey, empathising with Tovey's struggles and a discussion of music teaching. Holograph signed.

Dates: 06 June 1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Peter Mooney, 28 February 1952

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2315
Scope and Contents

Letter, 28 February 1952, Paisley, Peter Mooney to Mary Grierson. Congratulating Grierson on completing her biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 28 February 1952
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence