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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 Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 03 November 1912

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L230
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 November 1912, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Emphasising that music should be a faculty, not part of an arts faculty. Holograph signed.

Dates: 03 November 1912
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 June 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L231
Scope and Contents

Letter, 20 June 1925, Cunard R. M. S. ' Franconia ', Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 June 1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 May 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L233
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 May 1925, Stuttgart, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Alterations to players and concert programmes for the coming season. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: 19 May 1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1930

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L246
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1930], Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Request to send orchestral parts to Rontgen in Holland. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: c1930
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 06 November 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L321
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 November 1939, Suffolk, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Plans for forthcoming concerts. Typescript signed.

Dates: 06 November 1939
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, 02 June 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L322
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 May 1948, London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Covering letter for examination papers. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: 02 June 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L323
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for Reid choir. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L324
Scope and Contents

Letter, [1929], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning the establishment of a voluntary choir. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1915

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L325
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Request for help in designing music examination papers. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1915
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L326
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Note informing of Tovey's finding an oboe part. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1900
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence