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:
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 05 June 1896
Postcard, 5 June 1896, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Advising Tovey that Mary has a low voice. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 08 August 1921
Postcard, 8 August 1921, Bad Nauheim, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Expressing Miss. Weisse's belief in Tovey's work in Edinburgh. Holograph signed, stamped, date from postmark.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 21 February 1895
Postcard, 21 February 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Requesting that Miss Weisse send a telegram authorising that Tovey concentrate solely on one area of work. Holograph signed, with two telegrams, with envelope.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 14 October 1895
Postcard, 14 October 1895, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of life at Oxford. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 September 1905
Postcard, 15 September 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Encouraging Steinbach ' to take Tovey on '. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 06 September 1905
Postcard, 6 September 1905, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notes on Tovey's studies of Chopin, Brahms and Beethoven and his busy schedule. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 18 August 1905
Postcard, 18 August 1905, Marlow, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Tovey's decision not to musically influence Kelly. Holograph signed.
Receipt to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 29 March 1890
Receipt, 29 March 1890, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Receipt for ú3.30, the cost of Tovey's music lessons. Holograph signed.
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