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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, 01 February 1909

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L621
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 February 1909, Hertfordshire Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concerning Percy Such and Hausman's relationship and a series of concerts. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 February 1909
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, 03 July 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L459
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 July 1897, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's ' book' and his progress, expressing concern over Miss. Weisse. Holograph, with duplicate typescript copy, 26 x 21cm.

Dates: 03 July 1897
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, 04 July 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L460
Scope and Contents

Letter, 4 July 1897, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Discussing essays in Roman history, a forthcoming concert, informing of an invitation to Bayreuth by Maurice Baring. Holograph signed, With duplicate typescript copy, 26 x 21cm.

Dates: 04 July 1897
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, 19 July 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L461
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 July 1897, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for a letter. Holograph signed, with duplicate typescript copy, 26 x 21cm.

Dates: 19 July 1897
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, 22 July 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L462
Scope and Contents

Letter, 22 July 1897, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending sketchbooks which Tovey compares to his own musical sketchings, informing Miss. Weisse that he can not afford to practice the piano, as he will be working towards his degree, details of a Bishops party. Holograph signed, with duplicate typescript copy, 26 x 21cm.

Dates: 22 July 1897
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, 20 July 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L463
Scope and Contents

Letter, 22 July 1897, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for a sketchbook and discussion of a movement from a Haydn quartet. Holograph signed, with duplicate typescript copy, 26 x 21cm.

Dates: 20 July 1897
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, 30 July 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L465
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 July 1897, Bonn, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Tovey's tour of Bonn, including Beethoven's house. Typescript copy.

Dates: 30 July 1897
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 October 1894

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1680
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 October 1894, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a tutorial with Farmer and a request that Tovey continue lessons with Parry. Photocopy of Holograph signed.

Dates: 21 October 1894
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/L2675
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Apologising for causing confusion over travelling matters, concern over getting advice from Parry. Photocopy of Holograph signed.

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, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2676
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for the present of some scores and notes on the scores. Photocopy of Holograph signed.

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