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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, 15 April 1898

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L490
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 15 April 1898, Littlehampton, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's progress. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 April 1898
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 April 1898

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L491
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 15 April 1898, Littlehampton, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's progress. Typescript copy of L490.

Dates: 15 April 1898
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 September 1905

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L529
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 15 September 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Encouraging Steinbach ' to take Tovey on '. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 September 1905
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 October 1899

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L539
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 10 October 1899, Meiningen, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss Weisse for a bank note and describing the concerts Tovey has seen at Meiningen. Holograph signed, with black and white photographs of Eugene d' Albert, Hermine d'Albert - Fink, Dr. Felix Kraus, Adrienne Osborne, Ejnar Forchammer and Leonard Borwick.

Dates: 10 October 1899
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 October 1899

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L541
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 12 October 1899, Meiningen, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a meeting with someone. Holograph signed, with black and white pictures of Fritz Steinbach and views of Meiningen.

Dates: 12 October 1899
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, 11 October 1899

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L542
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 11 October 1899, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of performance of Fidelio. Holograph signed, with black and white photograph of the Joachim Quartet.

Dates: 11 October 1899
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, 17 December 1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L552
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 17 December 1900, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of Tovey's voyage to Ostende from Dover. Holograph signed, with colour picture of the boat ' Prince Albert '.

Dates: 17 December 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, 08 September 1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L617
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 8 September 1908, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on what Tovey is doing and Tovey's view of French academics. Typescript copy.

Dates: 08 September 1908
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, 24 August 1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L618
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 24 August 1908, Tobermory, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Note of weather. Typescript copy.

Dates: 24 August 1908
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, 06 March 1909

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L620
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 6 March 1909, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. A theme of Tovey's new composition. Holograph.

Dates: 06 March 1909
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence