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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 Oxford Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L433
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1895], Oxford Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of Tovey's progress in his studies at Balliol. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Oxford Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 October 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L438
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1895], Oxford Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of works by Bach, Schumann and Brahms. Holograph.

Dates: 01 October 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 20 October 1917

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2354
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 October 1917, Robert Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Reassuring Miss. Weisse that Trevelyan has Tovey's best interests at heart and is keen for Tovey to finish the ' Bride of Dionysus'. Holograph in pencil.

Dates: 20 October 1917
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 03 November 1916

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2533
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 November 1916, Surrey, R. C. Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Agreeing to act as trustee to Miss. Weisse's will. Holograph signed.

Dates: 03 November 1916
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2535
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Robert Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Assuring Miss. Weisse that nothing has been said to Tovey. Holograph signed, in pencil.

Dates: c1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Robert Calverley Trevelyan, 26 July 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2542
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 July 1939, Robert Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that a German doctor is treating Tovey and will give an opinion on Tovey's illness. Typescript copy.

Dates: 26 July 1939
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 01 April 1890

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2346
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 April 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Expressing and interest in hearing Tovey play. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 April 1890
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 27 May 1890

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2349
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 May 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Arranging times of Tovey's lessons. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 May 1890
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 29 May 1890

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2350
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 May 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a time for Tovey's lesson and discussing a German translation. Holograph signed.

Dates: 29 May 1890
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 05 June 1890

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2351
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 June 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the times Parry is available to teach Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 June 1890
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence