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 55 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1911
Letter, [1911], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of the Mandyczewsiki's and Casals, development of a cello duet, and forthcoming engagements in Reading and Bayreuth. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 May 1922
Letter, [May 1922], Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's wife's recovery, details of forthcoming engagements and discussion of the status of the music faculty within the University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse . News that the University has agreed to Tovey's Sunday concerts and of the University musical society and the Reid Orchestra, criticism of an article by A. C. Benson, Necks illness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 November 1923
Letter, 9 November 1923, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Dates of forthcoming Reid concerts, criticism of ' The Golden Legend' and news of the Moor duplex piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 29 November 1929
Letter, 29 November 1929, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Enclosing a letter from Denman and concert programmes and arranging a meeting with Tovey and Denman. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 17 February 1917
Letter, 17 February 1917, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Discussing the advertisement of the forthcoming Chelsea concert series, and news of a biographical sketch of Tovey's to appear in the ' Musical Record'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 29 February 1912
Letter, 29 February 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Strecker has booked The Aeolian Hall for Tovey's piano recitals, and details for the publicity of the concerts. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 09 March 1912
Letter, 9 March 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Enclosing the proofs of the prospectus for the Chelsea concerts, and discussion of the printing of the programmes. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 01 July 1912
Letter, 1 July 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Concerning a mistake over concert dates, news of Godley and asking Miss. Weisse what should be done with the Ms. of Ariadne. Typescript signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1893
Postcard, [1893], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of Tovey's performance wardrobe, and notification that he is going to play Chopin preludes. Holograph signed.
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