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Weisse, Sophie, 1852-1945 (Scottish music teacher)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1852 - 1945

Biography

Sophie Weisse was born in Edinburgh in 1852 to a German father and Lithuanian mother. Little is known of her early life and education. In 1892, she founded the all-girls school of Northlands in Surrey, which she ran for twenty-five years. Although Northlands was a school of general education, music was given a particularly prominent place in the curriculum, and musical celebrities were often invited to visit and perform. Weisse employed the young Donald Tovey as a pianist at the school’s concerts, which provided a launch for his career as a musician and composer. Weisse had discovered Tovey’s talent at the age of four and had managed all aspects of his education. She further supported his career by funding the publication of his works between 1903 and 1913. Weisse and Tovey maintained a lifelong relationship. When Tovey was appointed to Edinburgh University’s Reid Chair of Music in 1914, Weisse followed him to Edinburgh. As Reid Professor, Tovey bestowed on Weisse an honorary degree of Doctor of Music in 1936. Weisse died in Guildford in 1945.

Weisse was a major benefactor of the University of Edinburgh. On Tovey’s death in 1941, she gifted 18 Buccleuch Place to the University as 'The Tovey Memorial Rooms', with the intention that it be used for student study. She also gifted the University portraits of Tovey and herself by Philip de Laszlo and endowed the Tovey Memorial Prize as an annual award for the most promising undergraduate composer or performer in the Faculty of Music. Her collection of around 600 books and scores relating to Beethoven was purchased by the University in 1948.

Found in 38 Collections and/or Records:

Letter to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan] from Florence Emily Barger, 23 November 1925

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2024
Scope and Contents

Letter, 23 November 1925, Edinburgh, Florence Barger to ' Bessie' [Elizabeth Trevelyan]. Informing 'Bessie' of Tovey's engagement to Minnie Wallace, discussing the engagement and news of Tovey . Holograph signed.

Dates: 23 November 1925
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 10 November 1933

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2286
Scope and Contents

Letter, 10 November 1933, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Praising an orchestral concert and Grierson's efforts in keeping the orchestra together and encouraging it and concern for Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.

Dates: 10 November 1933
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 29 March 1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2590
Scope and Contents

Letter, 29 March 1935, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Suggesting Grierson take all the music and shelves that Weisse has donated to the University. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope, date and place as postmark.

Dates: 29 March 1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 09 January 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2605
Scope and Contents

Letter, 9 January 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Sending ' a little company', and thanking Grierson for attending an event. Holograph signed.

Dates: 09 January 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 24 January 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2607
Scope and Contents

Letter, 24 January 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Requesting that tickets for concerts be sent to Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.

Dates: 24 January 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 03 February 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2608
Scope and Contents

Letter, 3 February 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Thanking Grierson for her kindness to Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.

Dates: 03 February 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 18 March 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2609
Scope and Contents

Letter, 18 March 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's musicianship, and expressing Weisses admiration and affection for Grierson. Holograph signed.

Dates: 18 March 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 01 December 1938

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2611
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 December 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Arranging to meet, discussion of Tovey's heart condition. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 December 1938
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, c1935

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2616
Scope and Contents

Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Recounting a story of a performance of a Bach work by Tovey and Casals. Holograph signed.

Dates: c1935
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

Letter to Hubert James Foss from Sophie Weisse, 01 October 1941

 Item
Identifier: Coll-411/1/1/L2574
Scope and Contents

Letter, 1 October 1941, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Hubert Foss. Commenting on an article written by Foss on Tovey, and reminiscing. Holograph signed.

Dates: 01 October 1941
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Tovey Collection / Papers of Donald Francis Tovey / Correspondence

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