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 22 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to 'a Professor' from Sir Hugh Percy Allen, c 04 January 1940
Letter, 4 January [n.y], Chichester, Hugh Allen to 'a Professor'. Inviting the recipient to join the committee of the Tovey memorial fund. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Edward Speyer] from Andreas Moser, 23 October 1924
Letter, 23 October 1924, Berlin, Andreas Moser to [Edward Speyer]. Commenting on a translation, and recommending Dr. Knill as an honest and true man. Holograph signed, L2317 - L2325 sewn together in a book.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Transcript of a letter from ' The Royal Institution' requesting that Tovey deliver a series of lectures. Ms. Transcript, with added personal notes from Sophie Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from C. Haydin Coffin, 25 October 1908
Letter, 25 October 1908, London, C. Haydin Coffin to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that she may purchase a clavichord for seventy five pounds, a very reasonable price. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Elizabeth Edith Balfour, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Woking, Betty Balfour to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a party for Joachim, discussion of the concerts at Fisher Hill and criticism of Tovey's playing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Elizabeth Trevelyan, 19 July 1919
Letter, 19 July 1919, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Declining being interviewed by Miss. Weisse and informing her that the Trevelyan's have never been a menace to Tovey's interests. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Ernest Walker, 26 December 1908
Letter, 26 December 1908, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for a picture of herself and Tovey, suggesting that it is a privilege to teach Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Francis John Henry Jenkinson, 29 March 1890
Letter, 29 March 1890, Cambridge, F. Jenkinson to Sophie Weisse. Advising Miss. Weisse to write to the Royal College of Music, and expressing pleasure at hearing Tovey's progress. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 04 May 1890
Letter, 4 May 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Suggesting a time for Miss. Weisse's pupil to visit. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 23 July 1890
Letter, 23 July 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the cost of lessons, commenting on Tovey's improvement and plans for his development. Holograph signed.
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