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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, c1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L667
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1922], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse . News that the University has agreed to Tovey's Sunday concerts and of the University musical society and the Reid Orchestra, criticism of an article by A. C. Benson, Necks illness. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1922
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, c1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L668
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1922], Canstatt, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's receipt of a letter from Lady Berry and a discussion of Tovey's illness. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1922
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, c01 September 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L669
Scope and Contents

Letter, [September 1922], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Criticism of Dickens and news of Tovey's illness. Holograph signed.

Dates: c01 September 1922
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, 28 July 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L671
Scope and Contents

Letter, 28 July 1923, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a new project Tovey has been asked to work on with Fidelio F. Finke. Holograph signed.

Dates: 28 July 1923
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, 06 August 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L672
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 August 1923, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Explaining a mix up in Salzburg, where Tovey's place had been taken by another pianist. Holograph signed in pencil.

Dates: 06 August 1923
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, c01 August 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L673
Scope and Contents

Letter, August 1923, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the treatment for Tovey's skin condition and the price of treatment, news of Swoboda, . Holograph signed in pencil, incomplete.

Dates: c01 August 1923
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 November 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L674
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 November 1923, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Dates of forthcoming Reid concerts, criticism of ' The Golden Legend' and news of the Moor duplex piano. Holograph signed.

Dates: 09 November 1923
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, c1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L675
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1924], Boston, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's impressions of America, especially Santa Barbara, Tovey's anger at the people who have been against him. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1924
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, c1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L676
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], New York, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Impressions of New York and news of Tovey's engagements there. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1920
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, 05 June 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L678
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 June 1924, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Lord Murray's capable management of the Reid orchestra. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 June 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence