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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 Robert Calverley Trevelyan from B. J. Simmons Co., 14 October 1939

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2457
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 October 1939, London, B. J. Simmons & Co to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning the storage and ownership of the costumes for ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript copy.

Dates: 14 October 1939
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charel Guthrie, 24 May 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2192
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 May 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning the finances of ' The Bride of Dionysus'. Typescript signed.

Dates: 24 May 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2414
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Enclosing estimates for props, and plans to arrange a meeting. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1932
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2415
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Discussing the possibilities for scenery that ' The Ariadne ' produces, discussing Ricketts fee for designing scenes, and a comment on the quality of drama in the writing, inviting Tovey to dinner in a post script. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1932
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles de Sousy Ricketts, c1932

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2416
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], London, Charles Ricketts to Robert Trevelyan. Discussion of materials for the models , and informing Trevelyan that Ricketts assistant Johnstone is coming to Edinburgh and an estimate for the cost of work on the props and models. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1932
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles Guthrie, 15 March 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2184
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 March 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Robert Trevelyan. Enclosing a new agreement, thanking Trevelyan for a cheque and details of the costs of properties for the opera. Typescript signed.

Dates: 15 March 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles Guthrie, 14 June 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2191
Scope and Contents

Letter, 14 June 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Robert Trevelyan. Concerning the finances of the 'Bride of Dionysus' and expressing pleasure at having been involved with the production. Holograph signed.

Dates: 14 June 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles Guthrie, 23 January 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2180
Scope and Contents

Letter, 23 January 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to R. C. Trevelyan. Discussion of the draft agreement with The Edinburgh Opera Comapny for the production of 'The Bride of Dionysus '. Typescript signed.

Dates: 23 January 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles Guthrie, 21 February 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2181
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 February 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to R. C. Trevelyan. Requesting that Trevelyan sign the agreement between the Edinburgh Opera Company, himself and Tovey, concerning ' The Bride of Dionysus '. Typescript signed.

Dates: 21 February 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Charles Guthrie, 02 February 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2182
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 February 1929, Edinburgh, Charles Guthrie to Robert Trevelyan. Discussion of the contract between Tovey, Trevelyan and the Edinburgh Opera Company. Typescript signed.

Dates: 02 February 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence