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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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1893

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L435
Scope and Contents

Letter, [January 1893], [Surrey], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing concern over being offered ten pounds as payment for performing to friends, and notes on Tovey's cat Jeannie. Holograph signed, incomplete, with annotation in red ink by Sophie Weisse.

Dates: c1893
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L436
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1892], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing a lesson from Parry and a trip to The British museum. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: c1892
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 23 August 1905

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L600
Scope and Contents

Letter, 23 August 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey expressing concern over Kelly supporting him financially. Holograph signed.

Dates: 23 August 1905
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1905

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L603
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1905], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concern over Miss. Weisse's mothers illness. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1905
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 29 August 1906

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L604
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 August 1906, Salzburg, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Salzburg and his hosts, the Queen of Hanover, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. Typescript copy.

Dates: 29 August 1906
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 August 1906

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L605
Scope and Contents

Letter, 31 August 1906, Salzburg, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Salzburg and his hosts, the Queen of Hanover, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. Typescript copy.

Dates: 31 August 1906
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 August 1906

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L606
Scope and Contents

Letter, 31 August 1906, Salzburg, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's trip to Salzburg and his hosts, the Queen of Hanover, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. Typescript copy incomplete.

Dates: 31 August 1906
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c25 December 1906

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L607
Scope and Contents

Letter, [25 December 1906], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's Christmas and his mothers illness. Typescript copy.

Dates: c25 December 1906
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 April 1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L612
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 April 1908, Paris, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's visit, the progress of his B minor trio, details of a music examination. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: 14 April 1908
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 February 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L448
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 February 1897, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes and news of Oxford. Typescript copy.

Dates: 09 February 1897
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence