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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:

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 August 1897

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L467
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 1 August 1897, Bayreuth, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of concerts Tovey has attended in Bayreuth, discussion of Wagner's music. Holograph signed, with duplicate typescript copy, 26 x 20cm.

Dates: 01 August 1897
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 12 May 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2683
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 12 May 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Indicating the timing of several works and informing Miss. Weisse that Brahms has accepted honorary membership of the musical club. Photocopy of Holograph signed.

Dates: 12 May 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 September 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L417
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 30 September 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Suggestion of how a work should be described in a concert programme and general news. Holograph signed.

Dates: 30 September 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 October 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L418
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 8 October 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Asking Miss Weisse to 'send off a trio'. Holograph signed.

Dates: 08 October 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 13 October 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L419
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 13 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Apologising for not writing and explaining Tovey's worries, and pressures. Holograph signed.

Dates: 13 October 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 October 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/l420
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 14 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of life at Oxford. Holograph signed.

Dates: 14 October 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 October 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L422
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 22 October 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Suggesting that Tovey and Fullinger perform together in concert. Holograph signed.

Dates: 22 October 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 10 November 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L426
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 10 November 1895, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Assuring Miss. Weisse that Tovey has enough pairs of boots. Holograph signed.

Dates: 10 November 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c05 September 1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L427
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 5 September [n.y], Hornbury, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of Tovey's forthcoming plans. Holograph signed.

Dates: c05 September 1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 January 1896

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L430
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 15 January 1896, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's friends and family. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 January 1896
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence