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 48 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 29 October 1893
Letter, 29 October 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Covering note for some cod-liver oil, and advising Donald to work daily. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 10 December 1893
Letter, 10 December 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey to avoid water and milk, but to eat raisins, advising Tovey of travel plans. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 12 December 1893
Letter, 12 December 1893, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Asking how Tovey is, and wishing him well. Typescript copy.
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, 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 Evelyn de Vesci, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Evelyn de Vesci to Sophie Weisse. Arranging to meet and expressing delight at being in the company of Tovey again. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 01 October 1893
Letter, [1 October 1893], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Outlining a concert programme. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 30 September 1893
Letter, 30 September 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Asking Miss. Weisse what sort of boots Tovey should have. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 May 1893
Letter, 14 May 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of the Tovey family and the garden at Worplesdon. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 22 September 1931
Letter, 22 September 1931, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Explaining why Miss. Weisse could not attend a broadcast of Tovey's and praising the broadcast. Holograph signed.
Additional filters:
- Subject
- Social Interaction 21
- Ill Health 8
- Performance practice (Music) 4
- Opera | The Bride of Dionysus 3
- Performances 3
- Composition (Music) 2
- Concert Programs 2
- Executors and Administrators 2
- Family 2
- Surrey (England) 2
- Administration 1
- Agent, Musical 1
- Broker 1
- Condolence Notes 1
- Degrees, Academic 1
- Examinations 1
- Instruction and Study 1
- Lectures and Lecturing 1
- Libraries--Gifts, legacies 1
- Literature 1
- Manuscript Preparation (Authorship) 1
- Music 1
- Music Theory 1
- Musical instruments 1
- Piano 1
- Poetry 1
- Professional Interaction 1
- Radio Broadcasting 1
- Singing--Instruction and study 1
- Travel 1
- Voyages and Travel 1 + ∧ less