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 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.
Letter to [ Dr Mary Gardner Grierson ] from Sophie Weisse, c1935
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to [ Mary Grierson ]. Discussion of what Tovey should be given when he is ill, Bovril or chicken jelly. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 March 1905
Letter, 20 March 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Explaining the letter of complaint Tovey wrote to 'The Smiths', concert agents. Holograph signed, L156 - L161 sewn together.
Letter to Mary Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 18 June 1898
Letter, 18 June 1898, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Mary Tovey. News of Tovey, suggesting he would have got a better class of degree had he worked harder. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mrs. Jekyll from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Mrs. Jekyll. Accepting an invitation on 23rd July. Typescript copy.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sophie Weisse, 11 February 1917
Letter, 11 February 1917, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Robert Trevelyan. Informing Trevelyan that Miss. Weisse has found final sketches for the end of the opera, and that Thomas Beecham will be visiting Edinburgh in a month. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sophie Weisse, 18 October 1917
Letter, 18 October 1917, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Robert Trevelyan. Requesting that Trevelyan encourage and inspire Tovey to finish his opera. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sophie Weisse, 19 November 1916
Letter, 19 November 1916, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Robert Trevelyan. Asking that Trevelyan become a trustee of Miss. Weisse's will. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sophie Weisse, 26 November 1916
Letter, 26 November 1916, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Robert Trevelyan. Requesting that Trevelyan inform Miss. Weisse whether he consulted with Tovey or not before deciding to act as trustee to Miss. Weisses will. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Sophie Weisse, 03 December 1916
Letter, 3 December 1916, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Robert Trevelyan. Enclosing the ms. score for the 'Bride of Dionysus', and inviting Trevelyan to visit. Holograph signed.
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