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 William Strecker, 17 February 1917
Letter, 17 February 1917, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Discussing the advertisement of the forthcoming Chelsea concert series, and news of a biographical sketch of Tovey's to appear in the ' Musical Record'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 29 February 1912
Letter, 29 February 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Strecker has booked The Aeolian Hall for Tovey's piano recitals, and details for the publicity of the concerts. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 09 March 1912
Letter, 9 March 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Enclosing the proofs of the prospectus for the Chelsea concerts, and discussion of the printing of the programmes. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 26 March 1912
Letter, 26 March 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Agreeing that it will be better to leave Joachim's opinion out of an article, and answering Miss. Weisse's queries about an advertisement for a concert that Tovey is appearing in. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 20 April 1912
Letter, 20 April 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse news of how many tickets have been sold for Tovey's Chelsea concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 12 November 1912
Letter, 12 November 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Tovey has delivered proofs of his works for printing and advising on the difference of opinion and difficult situation between Tovey and another party. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 01 July 1912
Letter, 1 July 1912, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Concerning a mistake over concert dates, news of Godley and asking Miss. Weisse what should be done with the Ms. of Ariadne. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 21 May 1913
Letter, 21 May 1913, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Enclosing the account of the Chelsea concerts, which is deficit by sixty pounds, discussion of the unnecessary expense of the concerts. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from William Strecker, 22 January 1914
Letter, 22 January 1914, London, William Strecker to Sophie Weisse. Informing Miss. Weisse that Strecker will be free to meet her once his wife has left for Germany, discussion of Korngold's success in Germany. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Wilma Halle, 27 October 1908
Letter, 27 October 1908, London, Wilma Halle to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending a letter and cheque, praising Tovey's playing of Mozart. Holograph signed.
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