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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 Fritz Busch, 24 June 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L836
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 June 1935, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Plans for forthcoming concerts, concern over Tovey's illness, and news of Adolf Busch' whereabouts. Typescript signed.

Dates: 24 June 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 11 February 1936

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L839
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 February 1936, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing concern for Tovey's illness, requesting Tovey's ' Essays in musical analysis' news that Tovey's cello concerto is to be played in Copenhagen, and plans for Danish State Radio to broadcast music by Tovey. Typescript signed.

Dates: 11 February 1936
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 06 July 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L842
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 July 1937, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing a radio broadcast of Tovey's cello concerto, and Buschs' tour. Holograph signed.

Dates: 06 July 1937
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 08 September 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L843
Scope and Contents

Letter, 8 September 1937, Denmark, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's editions of Beethoven's sonatas and Bach's piano works and musical analyses. Typescript signed.

Dates: 08 September 1937
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Veiel, 27 December 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1856
Scope and Contents

Letter, 27 December 1923, Stuttgart, Fritz Veiel to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial situation in Germany, congratulating Tovey on a performance in Dresden and thanking Tovey for sending journals. Holograph signed.

Dates: 27 December 1923
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Veiel, 11 July 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1857
Scope and Contents

Letter, 11 July 1923, Stuttgart, Fritz Veiel to Donald Tovey. Explaining the economic crisis in Germany and arranging for Tovey to stay in Veiel's convalescent home in Germany. Holograph signed.

Dates: 11 July 1923
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from G. Happe, 15 April 1923

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1275
Scope and Contents

Letter, 15 April 1923, Dresden, G. Happe to Donald Tovey requesting that Tovey pay an outstanding debt for Happe's symphony in D. Holograph signed.

Dates: 15 April 1923
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from G. M. Sharpey Schafer, 01 June 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1679
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 June 1935, Winchester, G. M. Sharpey Schafer to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his sympathy at the time of Sharpey Schafer's fathers death. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 June 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [G. N. Wintour], 18 August 1931

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1973
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 August 1931, Midlothian, [G. N. Wintour] to Donald Tovey. Discussion of the work of the work of Helmholz and Trautwein and comment on Tovey's conducting abilities. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 August 1931
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Geoffrey Parratt, 10 November 1907

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1464
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 November 1907, Windsor, Geoffrey Parratt to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his success. Holograph signed.

Dates: 10 November 1907
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence