Weisse, Sophie, 1852-1945 (Scottish music teacher)
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 25 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Mary Tovey, 05 December 1900
Letter, 5 December 1900, Surrey, Mary Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Concerning a letter from Fuller Maitland praising Tovey's talents. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Rev Duncan Crooks Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Guildford, Duncan Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a gift, and news of a burglary. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 December 1892
Letter, 25 December 1892, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Christmas greetings and enclosing a gift. Photocopy of holograph signed, annotations at end of letter by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 December 1892
Letter, 25 December 1892, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Christmas greetings. Holograph signed, annotations in pencil by Miss Weisse at the end of the letter.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 May 1893
Letter, 14 May 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Inquiring how Miss. Weisse is, and news of Tovey family life. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 19 August 1893
Letter, Surrey, 19 August 1893, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Brief note informing Miss Weisse of a pleasant walk and financial situation. Typescript copy, on same page as L362/1.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1890
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Details of a lesson with Parry. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 November 1899
Letter, 14 November 1899, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Family news and list of musical works Tovey requires. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 27 November 1897
Letter, 27 September 1897, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of Journey to and visit to Mr. Watts at Limnerslease. Holograph signed, with duplicate typescript copy, incomplete, [1]p. 26 x 20cm.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 July 1895
Letter, 7 July 1895, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Outlining Tovey's plans and apologising for breaking an engagement at 'The Hipkins'. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.