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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 17 October 1937
Letter, 17 October 1937, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Requesting that Grierson place a garland of flowers and ribbons in Eton blue on Tovey's desk in the Music Classroom. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 09 January 1938
Letter, 9 January 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Sending ' a little company', and thanking Grierson for attending an event. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 19 January 1939
Letter, 19 January 1939, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Planning to turn away a singer, so Miss. Weisse can spend an hour alone with Tovey, a discussion of the Schumann concerto affair. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 24 January 1938
Letter, 24 January 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Requesting that tickets for concerts be sent to Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 03 February 1938
Letter, 3 February 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Thanking Grierson for her kindness to Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 18 March 1938
Letter, 18 March 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's musicianship, and expressing Weisses admiration and affection for Grierson. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 18 October 1938
Letter, 18 October 1938, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. News of Weisse's state of health, description of a lecture given by Tovey, news of Weisses travels in Germany. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 01 December 1938
Letter, 1 December 1938, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Arranging to meet, discussion of Tovey's heart condition. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 28 August 1939
Letter, 28 August 1939, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Expressing anxiety over the threat of a European war and over Tovey's health. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, c1935
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Thanking Grierson for sending Miss. Weisse flowers on her birthday, and news of Miss. Weisse's birthday celebrations. Holograph signed.
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