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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 from James Higgs, 03 October 1890

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2218
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 October 1890, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's progress and suggesting that Tovey should not be pushed. Holograph signed.

Dates: 03 October 1890
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 24 January 1891

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2219
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 January 1891, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Discussing Tovey's progress and suggesting he has a lesson in counterpoint every other week. Holograph signed.

Dates: 24 January 1891
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 07 April 1893

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2221
Scope and Contents

Letter, 7 April 1893, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Praise of the young Tovey's progress in counterpoint and exceptional musical talent. Holograph signed, with envelope written on by Miss. Weisse.

Dates: 07 April 1893
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Johannes Röntgen, 06 July 1933

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2434
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 July 1933, Canton De Vaud, Johannes Rontgen to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Rontgen has been invited to work as co-conductor of an orchestra in Czechoslavakia and thanking Tovey for attending Rontgen's wedding and gift. Holograph signed.

Dates: 06 July 1933
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Alexander Fuller-Maitland, c1917

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2169
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1917], Edinburgh, J. A. Fuller - Maitland to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's opera, and other material and performances he has produced, . Holograph signed.

Dates: c1917
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Alexander Fuller Maitland, c 10 October 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2171
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 October [n.y], Ayrshire, J. A. Fuller Maitland to Sophie Weisse. Requesting material to compile an article on Tovey. Typescript copy.

Dates: c 10 October 1920
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Farmer, 08 May 1899

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2139
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 May 1899, Oxford, John Farmer to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's exceptional talent, comparing the young Tovey to Brahms. Holograph signed.

Dates: 08 May 1899
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Karl Bluth, 12 February 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2043
Scope and Contents

Letter, 12 February 1941, London, Karl Bluth to Sophie Weisse. Discussing bombings and invasions, discussing the final months of Tovey's life and his death. Typescript signed.

Dates: 12 February 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Kate Friskin, 15 August 1940

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2165
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 August 1940, New York, Kate Friskin to Sophie Weisse. Expressing sympathy over the death of Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 August 1940
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Mary Beasley, 15 July 1940

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2032
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 July 1940, Northampton, Mary Beasley to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey and discussing the preservation of his memory. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 July 1940
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence