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 68 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 29 May 1890
Letter, 29 May 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a time for Tovey's lesson and discussing a German translation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 05 June 1890
Letter, 5 June 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the times Parry is available to teach Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 18 June 1890
Letter, 18 June 1890, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Enquiring when Tovey is coming for his lesson. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 05 January 1891
Letter, 5 January 1891, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of the cost of Tovey's lessons and suggestng he is scatterbrained and forgetful and needs self discipline. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 14 April 1891
Letter, 14 April 1891, Gloucester, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Asking whether to expect Tovey or not. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 13 December 1891
Letter, 1891 Dec 13, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of Parry's busy schedule, and arranging to see Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 20 February 1892
Letter, 20 February 1892, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of Tovey's ability to play ' the variations' by heart and his progress. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 14 December 1892
Letter, 14 December 1892, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Parry is overworked although he hopes to make time for Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 11 February 1894
Letter, 11 February 1894, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Apologising for not writing, arranging a time for Tovey's lesson. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, c1890
Letter, [n.d], London, Hubert Parry to Sophie Weisse. Explaining that Parry is unable to give Tovey lessons, and informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey does not need extra lessons anyway as he has natural talent. Holograph signed.
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