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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 Geoffrey Parratt, 06 September 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1465
Scope and Contents

Letter, 6 September 1929, Woking, Geoffrey Parratt to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send letters to his sisters direct, offering typing services and informing Tovey that Edward Arnold is keen to hear of any progress. Holograph signed.

Dates: 06 September 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Bell, 04 June 1921

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L757
Scope and Contents

Letter, 4 June 1921, Cardonald, George Bell to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on receiving an honorary degree in music from Oxford. Holograph signed.

Dates: 04 June 1921
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Campbell, 05 April 1929

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L851
Scope and Contents

Letter, 5 April 1929, Edinburgh, George Campbell to Donald Tovey. Receipt for Tovey's cheque of thirty pounds for a train journey from London. Holograph signed, with receipt to the London Midland and Scottish Railway company, 22 x 15cm.

Dates: 05 April 1929
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Hurley, 02 February 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1974
Scope and Contents

Letter, 2 February 1922, Birmingham, George Hurley, Secretary, The University of Birmingham, to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that he has been appointed external examiner in music to The University of Birmingham. Typescript signed.

Dates: 02 February 1922
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Parker, 16 August 1922

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1461
Scope and Contents

Letter, 16 August 1922, Middlesex, George Parker to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Parker is attempting to put on a performance of a Bach work, and wondering if there would be an opening for such a piece at the Reid Concerts. Holograph signed.

Dates: 16 August 1922
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Scott, 01 November 1934

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1672
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 November 1934, Roxburghshire, George Scott to Donald Tovey. Praising a radio broadcast of Tovey's work, and reminiscing over his meeting with Tovey as a young boy. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 November 1934
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Stuart McManus, 28 August 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1385
Scope and Contents

Letter, 28 August 1925, San Francisco, George Stuart McManus to Donald Tovey. Details of finance and arrangements for Tovey's visit to America. Holograph signed.

Dates: 28 August 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 George Szell, 07 March 1937

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1956
Scope and Contents

Letter, 7 March 1937, Prague, George Szell to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans to fill the post of concertmaster for the Scottish Orchestra and asking Tovey's help in translating Mahler's Earth Song. Typescript signed.

Dates: 07 March 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 Georgina Pollock, 19 October 1902

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1499
Scope and Contents

Letter, 19 October 1902, Georgina Pollock to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey send his wedding march in time for the organist to study it. Holograph signed.

Dates: 19 October 1902
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerald Warre Cornish, 18 December 1906

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L1034
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 December 1906, London, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Francis Tovey. Praising a performance of Tovey's. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 December 1906
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence