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 Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 13 April 1923
Letter, 13 April 1923, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Expressing sympathy and offering help, news of Miss. Weisse's health and her mourning in the absence of the dear boy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 25 April 1935
Letter, 25 April 1935, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Description of Miss. Weisse's bad health, giving Tovey some advice. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 03 May 1923
Letter, 3 May 1923, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Expressing sympathy and sorrow over the death of Tovey's sister in law, and news of Tovey's son. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 29 May 1923
Letter, 29 May 1923, Suffolk, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a problem with passports, advising Tovey on how to handle relationships, and concern over Tovey's son's operation. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 16 June 1924
Letter, 22 September 1931, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Requesting that Tovey write to the Schlapps, and news of Miss. Weisse's time with Tovey's adopted son John. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 05 November 1938
Letter, 5 November 1938, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Covering letter for ' a few precious things ', and a description of a book by Housman. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, 20 June 1939
Letter, 20 June 1939, Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. News of Lady de Vesci's death, and Miss. Weisse's memories of her. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Sending Tovey some writing material and describing Knaphill. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1914
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Describing paper that darkens lamps so no light escapes into the room, and the village Miss. Weisse is staying in. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weise from Fanny Davies, c13 November 1900
Letter, 13 November [n.y], London, Fanny Davies to Sophie Weise. Thanking Miss. Weisse and Tovey for a ticket to a concert. Holograph signed.
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