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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 Hubert James Foss from Margaret Whittaker, c 09 February 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2369
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 February [n.y], Buckinghamshire, Margaret Whittaker to Hubert Foss. Describing Northlands and Tovey's performances there. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 09 February 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Hubert James Foss from Margaret Whittaker, c 07 February 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2638
Scope and Contents

Letter, 7 February [n.y], Buckinghamshire, Margaret Whittaker to Hubert Foss. Putting Foss in touch with a Miss. M. Knottley to discuss Northlands for his biography of Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: c 07 February 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Hubert James Foss from Mary Curtis, c1942

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2104
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Elgin, Mary Curtis to Hubert Foss. Concerning letters from Mary Curtis's grandmother to Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1942
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Hubert James Foss from Maud Karpeles, 10 February 1942

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2268
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 February 1942, London, Maud Karpeles to Hubert Foss. Informing Foss that Prof. Rose has no intimate memories of Tovey. Typescript signed.

Dates: 10 February 1942
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Maurice Baring, 03 December 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2026
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 December 1941, Beauly, Maurice Baring to [Hubert Foss]. Informing Foss of Tovey's ability to make up tune for nonsense poems and rhymes. Dictated signed.

Dates: 03 December 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Hubert James Foss from Morris Meredith Williams, 26 May 1942

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2645
Scope and Contents

Letter, 26 May 1942, Devon, M. Meredith Williams to Hubert Foss. Discussing Meredith Williams paintings and sketches of Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 26 May 1942
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Myfanny Varley, 04 December 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2550
Scope and Contents

Letter, 4 December 1941, Oxford, Myfanny Varley to [Hubert Foss]. Reminiscences and anecdotes illustrating Tovey's life. Holograph signed.

Dates: 04 December 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from Myfanwy Varley, c 18 December 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2551
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 December [n.y], Oxford, Myfanny Varley to [Hubert Foss]. Reminiscences and anecdotes illustrating Tovey's life. Holograph signed, with printed card ' Mrs. F. J. Varley '.

Dates: c 18 December 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to [Hubert James Foss] from P. J. Shaw, 27 November 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2451
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 November 1941, York, P. J. Shaw to [Hubert Foss]. Recounting a memory of Tovey in response to Foss's advert in the Daily Telegraph. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 November 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Hubert James Foss from Robert. B. King, 05 January 1942

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2274
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 January 1942, Perthshire, Robert. B. King to Hubert Foss. Covering note for a letter written from Tovey to King, with cadenzas. Holograph signed.

Dates: 05 January 1942
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence