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 366 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Edward Lyttelton, c 09 March 1900
Letter, 9 March [n.y], Eton, E Lyttelton to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for her letter and news that Lyttelton wishes to sing for Miss. Weisse and Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Edward Speyer, 30 September 1912
Letter, 30 September 1912, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for sending news of Tovey and of his fathers death. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Elizabeth Edith Balfour, 21 February 1909
Letter, 21 February 1909, Woking, Betty Balfour to Sophie Weisse. Expressing delight at Tovey's visit, and details of a planned recital and concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Elizabeth Trevelyan, c 27 May 1916
Letter, 27 May [1916], Elizabeth Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Expressing sympathy at Miss. Weisse's suffering and explaining that the Trevelyan's have always been honest and true. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Elizabeth Trevelyan, 09 July 1941
Letter, 9 July 1941, Surrey, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Sophie Weisse. Thanking Miss. Weisse for her letter, memories of Tovey and a suggestion that Grierson should have been appointed Professor. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Ellen Joachim, c 03 September 1900
Letter, 3 September [n.y], Surrey, Ellen Joachim to Sophie Weisse. Describing Tovey's stay with Ellen Joachim, and expressing the wish that he could stay longer. 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 10 November 1900
Letter, 10 November [n.y], [Emily Ritchie] to Sophie Weisse. Describing time spent with Joachim, and his praise of Tovey. Holograph incomplete, authors name taken from pencil annotation at top of letter.
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.
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