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 Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 03 December 1896
Letter, 3 December 1896, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that it would be a ' singular waste of a remarkable gift ' if Tovey were to give up music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 07 December 1896
Letter, 7 December 1896, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Wishing Tovey well and suggesting his career in music is a promising one. 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.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 10 May 1900
Letter, 10 May 1900, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Discussion of violin and pianoforte methods, news of Tovey's development. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 09 November 1906
Letter, 9 November 1906, London, Hubert C. Parry to Sophie Weisse. Explaining that Parry is too busy to see Miss. Weisse. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 11 October 1906
Letter, 1 October 1906, London, Hubert Parry to Siophie Weisse. Praising Miss. Weisse, suggesting that Parry visits and wishing Tovey well. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope, envelop annotated by Sophie Weisse.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 31 October 1890
Letter, 31 October 1890, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a suitable day for Donald to visit Parry. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 20 January 1893
Letter, 20 January 1893, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Explaining that Tovey has been too busy to send a card to Miss. Weisse and description of a performance. Photocopy of a typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 10 January 1893
Letter, 10 January 1893, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Arranging to meet Miss. Weisse. Photocopy of typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 09 January 1893
Letter, 9 January 1893, London, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Postponing Tovey's meeting with Miss. Weisse, and asking what is happening at Broadwoods. Photocopy of typescript copy.
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