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 96 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from C. Haydin Coffin, 25 October 1908
Letter, 25 October 1908, London, C. Haydin Coffin to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that she may purchase a clavichord for seventy five pounds, a very reasonable price. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Ellen Joachim, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Ellen Joachim to Sophie Weisse. Postponing a visit to Miss. Weisse's to see Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Ellen Joachim, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Ellen Joachim to Sophie Weisse. Explaining to Miss. Weisse that the Joachim's may not be able to see her, describing the enjoyment of her last visit to Northlands. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Emily Ritchie, c 31 August 1900
Letter, 31 August [n.y], London, Emily Ritchie to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse of a friend's illness and impending death. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from F. Warre Cornish, 22 December 1910
Letter, 22 December 1910, London, F. Warre Cornish to Sophie Weisse. Asking if Miss. Weisse has a book of Warre Cornishes and news of how he is. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Gustav Theodore Holst, c 13 July 1920
Letter, 13 July [n.y], London, Gustav Holst to Sophie Weisse. Informing Grierson of his time of arrival. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Sophie Weisse] from H. A. Scott, 01 April 1901
Letter, 1 April 1901, London, H. A. Scott to [Sophie Weisse]. Thanking Miss. Weisse for Berlin press cuttings on Tovey, discussing the first performance of the Goldberg variations. Holograph signed.
Letter to [Sophie Weisse] from H. A. Scott, 23 June 1902
Letter, 23 June 1902, London, H. A. Scott to [Sophie Weisse] . Discussion of Strauss, and Tovey's valuable opinion. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 16 November 1889
Letter, 16 November 1889, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Commenting on a pupils, [Tovey's] progress. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from [James Higgs], 30 September 1890
Letter, 30 September 1890, London, [James Higgs] to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a time to resume Tovey's lessons, and suggesting preparation for Tovey. Holograph signed.
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