Skip to main content

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, 16 September 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2715
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 September 1892, Arran, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of Tovey's composition work. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 16 September 1892
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, 01 May 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2716
Scope and Contents

Letter, [May 1892], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a quintet and news of Tovey's developments in composition, requesting that Miss. Weisse send Tovey scores of Beethoven's compositions. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 01 May 1892
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 January 1892

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2717
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 January 1892, Paisley, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a party, and New Year greetings. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 03 January 1892
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, 18 December 1891

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2718
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 December 1891, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Detailed description of Tovey's lesson with Parry and Parry's comments on Tovey's compositions, news of Tovey's time at home with his family, and wishing Miss. Weisse a happy new year. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 18 December 1891
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 June 1891

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2721
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 June 1891, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has lent his mother a copy of ' Travels with a donkey'. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 30 June 1891
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, 27 April 1891

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2722
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 April 1891, Cambridge, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey, a request for music paper. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 27 April 1891
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, 12 January 1891

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2723
Scope and Contents

Letter, 12 January 1891, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of a performance of The Messiah at the Albert Hall, and details of Tovey's social life. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 12 January 1891
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, 25 October 1889

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2724
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 October 1889, Windsor, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Detailed description of the Leeds music festival, and news of Tovey's visit to Cambridge. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: 25 October 1889
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 May 1889

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2725
Scope and Contents

Letter, 22 May 1889, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a tennis party at Miss. Sackville West's house. Photocopy of holograph signed, photocopy of L346.

Dates: 22 May 1889
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, c14 December 1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L556
Scope and Contents

Letter, [14 December 1900], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News from Tovey of Fra Diavolo concert attended. Typescript copy.

Dates: c14 December 1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence