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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, 14 April 1904

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L596
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 April 1904, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Suggesting his musical agent is a fool. Holograph signed.

Dates: 14 April 1904
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 1904

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L597
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 April 1904, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Suggesting his musical agent is a fool. Typescript copy.

Dates: 14 April 1904
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, c1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L599
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1897], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Outlining the qualities of Tovey's friend Kelly, news of being with Joachim in Berlin. Holograph incomplete, in pencil.

Dates: c1897
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, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L437
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1895], Berkshire, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes and suggestions for a lecture on song, including operatic arias. Holograph, incomplete.

Dates: c1895
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, 21 February 1896

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L439
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 February 1896, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notice of Tovey's arrival date and forthcoming engagements. Typescript copy.

Dates: 21 February 1896
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, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L440
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1895], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss Weisse of Tovey's changing dates of meetings. Typescript copy.

Dates: c1900
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, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L441
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of Tovey's life at Balliol college, Oxford, request for funds. Typescript copy, incomplete.

Dates: c1900
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, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L442
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's studies and life at Balliol, and a description of how Egyptians treated crocodiles. Typescript copy, incomplete.

Dates: c1900
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, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L443
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing a meeting with and praising Mr. Watts, thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a Brahms concerto. Typescript copy, incomplete.

Dates: c1900
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, c1896

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L444
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Note explaining that Tovey has overslept. Holograph, in pencil.

Dates: c1896
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence