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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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 02 December 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1189
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 December 1924, New York, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Details of a meeting with Annie Friedberg, a proposal to employ an administrative assistant for Tovey's musical tours of America, . Holograph signed.

Dates: 02 December 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 24 August 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1181
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 August 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that a gift of money is in the bank, and asking Tovey to sort out financial details. Holograph signed.

Dates: 24 August 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 09 August 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1182
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 August 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Covering note for a letter introducing Clara Gould's brother-in-law, and a comment about the respect Gould and Tovey feel for each other. Holograph signed.

Dates: 09 August 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 21 September 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1183
Scope and Contents

Letter, 21 September 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey for suggestions for the following summers letters and concerts, and news from Santa Barbara. Holograph signed.

Dates: 21 September 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, c1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1184
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. News of Clara Tovey's travels. Holograph incomplete.

Dates: c1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 25 October 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1185
Scope and Contents

Letter, 25 October 1925, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his letter and informing him that he may use the funds as he proposes and news of Gould and Santa Barbara. Holograph signed.

Dates: 25 October 1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 29 October 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1186
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 October 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Mrs. Fernald will take over Tovey's plans, and that Gould will continue to financially patronise Tovey. Holograph signed.

Dates: 29 October 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 20 October 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1187
Scope and Contents

Letter, 30 October 1924, California, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Hoping Tovey will agree to a plan proposed by Mrs. Fernald, news of further financial support. Holograph signed.

Dates: 20 October 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 12 December 1924

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1190
Scope and Contents

Letter, 12 December 1924, New York, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. News of Gould and wishing Tovey well. Holograph signed.

Dates: 12 December 1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Clara Gould, 04 January 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1191
Scope and Contents

Letter, 4 January 1925, Boston, Clara Gould to Donald Tovey. Gould's impressions of Friedberg, and news of Gould's travels. Holograph.

Dates: 04 January 1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence