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 692 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 11 November 1900
Letter, 11 November 1900, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Encouraging Tovey to practise his piano playing and develop a depth of tone and shades. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 18 August 1912
Letter, 18 August 1912, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Description of Miss. Weisse's journey to Bad Nauheim. Holograph signed, in pencil.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 07 June 1919
Letter, 7 June 1919, London, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Discussion of infants, and of Tovey's visit to England. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 02 September 1921
Letter, 2 September 1921, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Arranging to meet Tovey and expressing a desire to see Fritz Busch. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 12 November 1921
Letter, 12 November 1921, Suffolk, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the antics of his young adopted son, John. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 20 November 1921
Letter, 20 November 1921, [Suffolk], Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Discussion of Emmanuel Moor and the Aolian company, news of Tovey's adopted son and Miss. Weisse's state of health. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 01 December 1921
Letter, 1 December 1921, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Approving a concert programme of Tovey's, and news of Emmanuel Moor. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 11 September 1922
Letter, 11 September 1922, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. News of Miss. Weisse's time in Bad Nauheim, discussion of the German mark in comparison to the English pound, and plans for leaving Germany. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 13 April 1923
Letter, 13 April 1923, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Expressing sympathy and offering help, news of Miss. Weisse's health and her mourning in the absence of the dear boy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 25 April 1935
Letter, 25 April 1935, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Description of Miss. Weisse's bad health, giving Tovey some advice. Holograph signed.
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