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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 Vernon Russell, 20 August 1919

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2442
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 August 1919, London, Vernon Russell to Sophie Weisse. Enclosing a card of a recommended copyist. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 August 1919
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Vernon Russell, 13 July 1920

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2443
Scope and Contents

Letter, 13 July 1920, Eastbourne, Vernon Russell to Sophie Weisse. Accepting an invitation to Tovey's Birthday party. Holograph signed.

Dates: 13 July 1920
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from Walter Parratt, c 08 February 1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2344
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 February [n.y], Windsor, Walter Parratt to Sophie Weisse. Concerning Tovey and the Nettleship scholarship to Balliol, Oxford. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 08 February 1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Alexander Curtis, 26 July 1940

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2106
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 July 1940, Edinburgh, William Curtis to Sophie Weisse. Offering Miss. Weisse sympathy over the death of Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 26 July 1940
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 28 June 1910

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2481
Scope and Contents

Letter, 28 June 1910, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending tickets, agreeing to attend Tovey's birthday celebrations and commenting on Percy Such. Holograph signed.

Dates: 28 June 1910
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 30 January 1911

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2483
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 January 1911, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has the parts of his concerto, and discussing publication. Typescript signed.

Dates: 30 January 1911
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 22 February 1911

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2484
Scope and Contents

Letter, 22 February 1911, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Suggesting that Tovey approach Lord Plymouth and praising a concerto. Typescript signed.

Dates: 22 February 1911
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 25 October 1911

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2485
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 October 1911, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the cheapest estimate for engraving and printing Tovey's Sonata and quintette, and discussing their publication to coincide with performance. Typescript signed.

Dates: 25 October 1911
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 29 November 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2487
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 November 1929, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Enclosing a letter from Denman and concert programmes and arranging a meeting with Tovey and Denman. Typescript signed.

Dates: 29 November 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 09 January 1912

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2489
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 January 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Details of dates the Aeolian Hall is available, and regards to Tovey. Typescript signed.

Dates: 09 January 1912
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence