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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 Sophie Weisse and Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Walter Parratt, 10 February 1910

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1467
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 February 1910, Windsor, Walter Parratt to Sophie Weisse and Donald Tovey. Expression of love and gratitude. Holograph signed.

Dates: 10 February 1910
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from A. D. Lumsden, 21 May 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2278
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 May 1941, Oxford, A. D. Lumsden to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a chalk drawing of Tovey to Balliol college, Oxford. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.

Dates: 21 May 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from A. J. Hipkins, 15 October 1902

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2228
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 October 1902, London, A. J. Hipkins to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for her letter concerning concert tickets, comments on the young Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 October 1902
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Alice M. Price, c 12 September 1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2407
Scope and Contents

Letter, 12 September [n.y], Alice M. Price to Sophie Weisse. Looking forward to Tovey's piano recital, and informing Miss. Weisse of Prices visit to Englefield Green. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 12 September 1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Anna Walter Thomas, 23 March 1915

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2513
Scope and Contents

Letter, 23 March 1915, Merioneth, Anna Walter Thomas to Sophie Weisse. Inviting Miss. Weisse to Wales and informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's charming visit and news of the family. Holograph signed.

Dates: 23 March 1915
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Anna Walter Thomas, c 30 December 1915

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2514
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 December [n.y], Anna Walter Thomas to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for her gift of lavender scent, and her care and support of Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 30 December 1915
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Antonia Speyer, 27 November 1906

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2471
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 November 1906, Hertfordshire, Antonia Speyer to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for her kindness and describing Tovey's playing as exquisite. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 November 1906
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Antonia Speyer, 27 March 1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2472
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 March 1908, Hertfordshire, Antonia Speyer to Sophie Weisse. Expressing gratitude for Miss. Weisse's kindness and Tovey's encouragement musically. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 March 1908
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Cecilia Warre Cornish, 30 May 1883

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2089
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 May 1883, Eton, Cecilia Warre Cornish to Sophie Weisse. Inviting Miss. Weisse and Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.

Dates: 30 May 1883
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Cecilia Warre Cornish, 02 April 1901

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2091
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 April 1901, Windsor, Cecilia Warre Cornish to Sophie Weisse. Expressing delight at Tovey's success in Berlin. Holograph signed.

Dates: 02 April 1901
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence