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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, 29 August 1910

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L623
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 29 August 1910, Sussex, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's plans to score the work he is currently composing. Holograph signed.

Dates: 29 August 1910
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 September 1910

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L626
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 6 September 1910, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Eton, and a note on Wagner. Holograph signed.

Dates: 06 September 1910
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, c1893

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2682
Scope and Contents

Postcard, [1893], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has arrived safely, and news of Eugenie Schumann. Photocopy of Holograph signed.

Dates: c1893
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, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2689
Scope and Contents

Postcard, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of items of clothing Tovey has, and informing Miss. Weisse that he is taking Chopin preludes as a substitute for another work. Photocopy of Holograph signed.

Dates: c1895
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, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2708
Scope and Contents

Postcard, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has written the last 8 pages of his new movement. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: c1895
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, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2719
Scope and Contents

Postcard, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has arrived safely, but left his macintosh on the train. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: c1895
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, c1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2720
Scope and Contents

Postcard, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Asking how Miss. Weisse's journey was and news that Tovey is better after a cold. Photocopy of holograph signed.

Dates: c1895
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, 19 January 1916

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L647
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 19 January 1916, Amsterdam, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a successful concert in Amsterdam and details of Tovey's travels. Holograph signed.

Dates: 19 January 1916
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, 01 November 1919

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L655
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 1 November 1919, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Note of first success of first Reid concert, praising Fanny Davies performance, and Tovey's address in Birmingham. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 November 1919
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, 18 May 1921

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L662
Scope and Contents

Postcard, 18 May 1921, Holmbury St. Mary, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Expressing delight at saving a scherzo. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 May 1921
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence