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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 Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 March 1904

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L157
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 March 1904, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concern for Speyers tonsillitis, discussion of musical autographs. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.

Dates: 19 March 1904
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 24 March 1904

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L158
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 March 1904, London, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Discussion of musical autographs and their authenticity. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.

Dates: 24 March 1904
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 March 1905

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L160
Scope and Contents

Letter, 17 March 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Complaining about musical agents 'The Smiths'. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.

Dates: 17 March 1905
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 March 1905

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L161
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 March 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Explaining the letter of complaint Tovey wrote to 'The Smiths', concert agents. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.

Dates: 20 March 1905
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 February 1907

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L166
Scope and Contents

Letter, February 1907, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Requesting that Speyer sing in a Chelsea concert. Holograph signed, L162 - L166 sewn together.

Dates: 01 February 1907
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1906

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L167
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1906], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concerning Mr Fuller Mainlands attack in the Times, on the Brahms Liebslieder performance. Holograph signed, with pencil annotation by Miss. Weisse.

Dates: c1906
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L169
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1908], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Suggestions for concert programme. Holograph signed, L169 - L175 sewn together.

Dates: c1908
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 April 1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L170
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 April 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Plan for concert programme. Holograph signed, L169 - L175 sewn together.

Dates: 08 April 1908
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 April 1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L171
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 April 1908, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Notes for concert programme. Holograph signed, pencil notes to accompany L170, L169 - L176 sewn together.

Dates: 08 April 1908
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 April 1908

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L172
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 April 1908, Cannes, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Plan for concert programme. Holograph signed, L169 - L176 sewn together.

Dates: 21 April 1908
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence