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 James Higgs, 03 October 1890
Letter, 3 October 1890, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Praising Tovey's progress and suggesting that Tovey should not be pushed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 24 January 1891
Letter, 24 January 1891, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Discussing Tovey's progress and suggesting he has a lesson in counterpoint every other week. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from James Higgs, 07 April 1893
Letter, 7 April 1893, London, James Higgs to Sophie Weisse. Praise of the young Tovey's progress in counterpoint and exceptional musical talent. Holograph signed, with envelope written on by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Alexander Fuller - Maitland, c 15 May 1908
Letter, 15 May [1908], London, J. A. Fuller-Maitland to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of tickets for concerts. Ms. Transcript, in Hubert Foss' s hand.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from John Alexander Fuller-Maitland, c1920
Letter, [n.d], London, J. A. Fuller Maitland to Sophie Weisse. Returning a list and concert programmes, borrowed from Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Karl Bluth, 12 February 1941
Letter, 12 February 1941, London, Karl Bluth to Sophie Weisse. Discussing bombings and invasions, discussing the final months of Tovey's life and his death. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Leonard Borwick, c 03 May 1900
Letter, 3 May [n.y], London, Leonard Borwick to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for a gift and kind words. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Louis Fleury, c1900
Letter, [n.d], London, Louis Fleury to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Fleury is in London and would like to see Tovey and Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Maud MacCarthy, c 13 March 1900
Letter, 13 March [n.y], London, Maud MacCarthy to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that MacCarthy will come to Northlands to work with Tovey. Holograph signed, see also, Mrs. Maud Foulds.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Mr and Mrs. Randall Davidson, c 03 May 1900
Letter, 3 May [n.y], London, Mr and Mrs. Randall Davidson to Sophie Weisse. Invitation to Miss. Weisse. Typescript, Mr. Randall Davidson , also The Archbishop of Canterbury.
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