Description

LIONEL TERTIS (WEST HARTLEPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM, 29 DECEMBER, 1876 – WIMBLEDON, LONDON, 22 FEBRUARY, 1975)

 

 

 

 

Lionel Tertis was an English violist and one of the first viola players to find international fame. He was also a noted teacher. Tertis was born in West Hartlepool, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants. (It has often been noted that his birth and that of the cellist Pablo Casals occurred on the very same day.) He initially studied the violin in Leipzig and at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London. There he was encouraged by the Principal, Alexander Mackenzie, to take up the viola instead. Under the additional influence of Oskar Nedbal, he did so and rapidly became one of the best known violists of his time, touring Europe and the US as a soloist. As Professor of Viola at the RAM (from 1900), he encouraged his colleagues and students to compose for the instrument, thereby greatly expanding its repertoire. In 1906, Tertis was temporarily in the famous Bohemian Quartet to replace the violist/composer Oskar Nedbal and later he took the viola position in the Gerald Walenn Quartet. Composers such as Arnold Bax, Frank Bridge, Gustav Holst, Benjamin Dale, York Bowen, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and William Walton wrote pieces for him. The Walton piece was his Viola Concerto; however, Tertis did not give the world premiere as he found it difficult to comprehend at the time; that honour went to Paul Hindemith. He owned a 1717 Montagnana from 1920 to 1937 which he found during one of his concert tours to Paris in 1920, and took a chance in acquiring. According to his memoirs, it was “shown to me in an unplayable condition, without bridge, strings or fingerboard….No case was available – it was such a large instrument 17 1/8 inches – so my wife came to the rescue by wrapping it in her waterproof coat, and that is how it was taken across the English Channel.” Tertis preferred a large viola to get an especially rich tone from his instrument. Knowing that some would find a 17-1/8-inch instrument too large he created his own Tertis model, which provides many of the tonal advantages of the larger instrument in a manageable 16-3/4-inch size. Along with William Murdoch (piano), Albert Sammons, and Lauri Kennedy, Tertis formed the Chamber Music Players. In 1936, while at the height of his powers, he announced his retirement from the concert platform to concentrate on teaching. He appeared as soloist only one more time, at a special concert in 1949 to an invited audience at the RAM to help raise money for his fund to encourage the composition of music for the viola. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1950 New Year’s Honours. Tertis composed several original works and also arranged many pieces not originally for the viola, such as Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto. He was the author of a number of publications about string playing, the viola in particular, and his own life. They include Cinderella No More and My Viola and I. Lionel Tertis died in Wimbledon, London.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

MOZART Trio in E, K.542

October 1921, Vocalion D-02064 & D-02091 (02539/41)

I Allegro

II Andante grazioso

III Allegro

MOZART Trio in E-flat, K.498 “Kegelstatt”
May 1920, Vocalion D-02064 & D-02015 (01782, 01784 & 01785)

I Andante

II Menuetto

III Rondo: Allegretto

MOZART Trio in G, K.564
July 1923, Vocalion D-02150 & D-K-05174 (03301/03)

I Allegro

II Andante

III Allegretto

SCHUBERT Trio in B-flat, Op. 99
October–November 1921, Vocalion D-02050 & D-02060 (02585, 02538, 02586X & 02587)

I Allegro moderato

II Andante un poco mosso

III Allegro

IV Rondo

DVORÁK Four Bagatelles, Op. 47
April 1922, Vocalion D-02083 & D-02111 (02759, 02762/64)

I Allegretto scherzando

II Minuetto

III Allegretto

V Poco Allegro

DUNHILL Phantasy Trio
May 1920, Vocalion R-6027 (01777 & 01780)

tracks 1-3 and 7-17 with Albert Sammons (violin) and Ethel Hobday (piano); tracks 4-6 and 18 with Albert Sammons (violin) and Frank St. Leger (piano)

 

HANDEL–HALVORSEN Passacaglia
January 1921, Vocalion D-02019 (02176)

FUCHS Duet
January 1921, Vocalion D-02019 (02177)

GODARD Duettini, Op. 18
March 1921, Vocalion R-6063 (02288/89)

Minuit

Souvenir de Champagne

HANDEL Sonata No. 8
March 1921, Vocalion D-02023 (02285 & 02287)

I Andante

II Allegro

GRIEG Sonata No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45
June 1923, Vocalion D-02104, D-02106 & D-02112 (03272/77)

I Allegro molto appassionato

II Allegretto espressivo

III Allegro animato

BRAHMS Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 120 No. 1
May 1924, Vocalion X-9463, X-9464, and K-05117 (03524/29)

I Allegro appassionato

II Andante un poco adagio

III Allegretto grazioso

IV Vivace

TCHAIKOVSKY None But the Lonely Heart
May 1921, Vocalion L-5012 (02347)

DUPARC Extase
May 1921, Vocalion L-5015 (02349)

LEROUX Le Nil
May 1921, Vocalion C-01023 (matrix unknown)

tracks 1-2 with Albert Sammons (violin); tracks 3-6 with Albert Sammons (violin) and F. B. Kiddle (piano); tracks 7-13 with Ethel Hobday (piano); tracks 14-16 with Zoia Rosovsky (soprano) and piano accompaniment

 

MARAIS Le Basque

December 1920, Vocalion R-6085 (02114)

KREISLER – Prelude and Allegro in the style of Pugnani
December 1920, Vocalion 02041 (0211)

KREISLER – La Chasse in the style of Cartier
December 1920, Vocalion 6007 (012)

KREISLER – Chanson Louis XIII in the style of Couperin
December 1920, Vocalion 6111 (1215)

KREISLER – La Précieuse in the style of Couperin
February 1920, Vocalion 6019

BACH – Air on the G String
Late 1919, Vocalion D-02067 (0501)

SCHUBERT – Ave Maria
November 1921, Vocalion D-02082 (02595)

MENDELSSOHN – Sweet Remembrance
27 November 1922, Vocalion R-6115 (03003)

MENDELSSOHN – The Fleecy Cloud
27 November 1922, Vocalion R-6115 (03004)

MENDELSSOHN – Spring Song
1921, Vocalion R-6085X

MENDELSSOHN – On Wings of Song
April 1922, Vocalion R-6096 (02578)

SCHUMANN Slumber Song

27 November 1922, Vocalion R-6146 (30002)

SCHUMANN Abendlied

April 1920, Vocalion R-6078 (01769)

LISZT Liebestraum

27 November 1922, Vocalion D-02144 (03000)

TCHAIKOVSKY Chanson triste

December 1920, Vocalion R-6017 (02119)

TCHAIKOVSKY Chant sans paroles

December 1920, Vocalion R-6017 (02120)

TCHAIKOVSKY Barcarolle

November 1921, Vocalion K-05174 (02593)

RUBINSTEIN Melody in F

March 1920, Vocalion R-6007 (01725)

GRIEG I Love Thee

April 1922, Vocalion R-6096 (02757)

KREISLER Rondino

KREISLER Tambourin chinois

December 1920, Vocalion R-6099 (02121)

April 1920, Vocalion D-02041 (01767)

tracks 1-6, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20 and 21 with Frank St. Leger (piano); tracks 7-12, 14, 17 and 19 with Ethel Hobday (piano)

 

BIZET Adagietto

July 1923, Vocalion R-6146 (03299)

GODARD Berceuse de Jocelyn January 1920, Vocalion D-02006 [01726)

SAINT-SAËNS Berceuse

December 1920, Vocalion R-6085 (02114)

THOMÉ Sous la feuillee

December 1920, Vocalion R-6033 (02122)

FAURÉ Élégie

November 1921, Vocalion K-05144 (02592)

FAURÉ Après un rêve

February 1920, Vocalion R-6019 (01649)

D’AMBROSIO Reverie

March 1920, Vocalion R-6111 (01728)

D’AMBROSIO Petit Suite

late 1919, Vocalion R-6099 (01310)

KALNINS Élégie

November 1921, Vocalion D-02082 (02594)

REBIKOFF Les rêves

November 1921, Vocalion X-9696 (02584X)

WOLSTENHOLME The Question

April 1920, Vocalion D-02012 (01768)

WOLSTENHOLME The Answer late 1919, Vocalion D-02012 (01477)

WOLSTENHOLME Allegretto

February 1920, Vocalion D-02011 (01645)

TERTIS Reverie

27 November 1922, Vocalion D-02144 (02999)

TERTIS Sunset

27 November 1922, Vocalion X-9696 (03001X)

TOD BOYD Samoan Lullaby December 1920, Vocalion R-6033 (02122)

DALE Romance

January 1920, Vocalion D-02067 (01617)

MCEWEN Breath o’ June

January 1920, Vocalion D-02006 (01613)

IRELAND The Holy Boy

November 1921, Vocalion K-05144 (03300)

GRAINGER Molly on the Shore April 1920, Vocalion R-6078 (01764)

TRADITIONAL Londonderry Air February 1920, Vocalion D-02011 (01646)

tracks 1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15 and 19 with Ethel Hobday (piano); tracks 2-4, 6-8, 11-13, 16-18, 20 and 21 with Frank St. Leger (piano)

 

[AX 755/–58] BACH Chaconne ‘in d’, BWV 1004. Columbia L 1644/–45; Am. Columbia 67071-D/–72-D (in Set M 13) 25 November, 1924

[A 1468] BACH Come Sweet Death.† Columbia D 1502 issued February 1925; recorded perhaps late 1924

[A 1471] Porpora Aria.† Columbia D 1502 issued February 1925; recorded perhaps late 1924

[T 1709 4a] KORNGOLD Hornpipe from ‘Much Ado About Nothing (test recording – acoustic – Unissued on 78.), 1924

[WAX 1160/–63] DOHNÁNYI Sonata in C sharp minor, Op. 21. With William Murdoch, pianist. Columbia L 1731/–32, 25 November, 1925

[WAX 1198] TRAD. An Old Irish Air.† Columbia L 1761, 9 December, 1925

[WAX 1199] TERTIS Hier au soir.† Columbia L 1761, 9 December, 1925

[WAX 1524] KREISLER Fugue in D after Tartini.† Columbia L 1995; Col. 04048; Japan. Col. J 7233, 21 May, 1926

[WA 3285] SCHUBERT Nacht und Traume.† Columbia D 1562, 21 May, 1926

[WAX 2190] SCHUBERT Andante.† Columbia L 1981; Japan. Col. J 7054, 20 November, 1926

[WAX 2189] SCHUBERT Allegro moderato.† Columbia L 1981; Am. Col. 5084-M; Japan. Col. J 7054, 20 November, 1926

[WA 3286] SULZER Air on G String.† Columbia D 1554; Wing WCD 24, 21 May, 1926

[WAX 1523] DVOŘÁK Slavonic Dance Theme No. 1 in G minor.† Columbia L 2004; Col. 04064, 21 May, 1926

[WAX 2191] ARENSKY Berceuse Op. 30/2.† Columbia L 1995; Col. 04048; Japan. Col. J 7233; Am. Col.

5084-M, 20 November, 1926

[WA 3283] KREISLER La Gitana.† Columbia D 1554, 21 May, 1926

[WA 3284] Fauré Après un rêve.† Columbia D 1562, 21 May, 1926

 

[WA 7513] RUBINSTEIN Melody in F.† Columbia 5230; Am. Col. 1960-D & 2081-M, 19 June, 1928

[WA 5704] TERTIS Serenade (No. 1 of Three Sketches).† Columbia D 1627, 17 June, 1927

[WA 5702] TERTIS The Blackbirds (No. 2 of Three Sketches).† Columbia D 1627; Am. Col. 174-M, 17 June, 1927

[WA 7517] BRAHMS Minnelied Op. 71/5.† Columbia D 1637; Am. Col. 2192-D, 19 June, 1928

[WA 7515] MENDELSSOHN On Wings of Song.† Columbia D 1637; Japan. Col. J 5102, 19 June, 1928

[WA 5705] TCHAIKOVSKY A Pleading.† Columbia D 1628; Am. Col. 174-M, 17 June, 1928

[WA 7516] TCHAIKOVSKY Chanson Triste.† Am. Col. 2082-D & 2143-M, 19 June, 1928

[WA 7514] TCHAIKOVSKY Chant sans paroles.† Columbia 5230; Am. Col. 2082-D & 2143-M, 19 June, 1928

[WAX 3120/–21] BEETHOVEN Theme and Variations, Op. 66.† Columbia L 2172; Japan. Col. J 7327, 19 November, 1927

[WA 4489] WOLSTENHOLME Canzona.† Columbia D 1569, 20 November, 1926

[WA 4490] SCOTT Cherry Ripe.† Columbia D 1569, 20 November, 1926

[WA 5703] SCHUBERT Du bist die Ruh’.† Columbia D 1647; Aust. Columbia 03638, 17 June, 1927

[WAX 2192] GUIRAUD Mélodrame.† Columbia L 2004; Col. 04064, 20 November, 1926

[WA 5706] BACH Adagio from C major Toccata.† Columbia D 1647; Aust. Col. 03638, 17 June, 1927

[WAX 3118/–19] MOZART Sonata in A major, K305.† Columbia L 2070; Am. Col. 50151-D; Col. 04156; Japan. Col. J 7332, 19 November, 1927

 

[WA 10961] WOLSTENHOLME Allegretto. With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DB 1022, 8 December, 1930

[WA 5707] TERTIS The River (No. 3 of Three Sketches).† Columbia D 1628, 17 June, 1927

[WAX 5196] DELIUS Serenade from ‘Hassan’. With George Reeves, pianist. Columbia L 2343; Am. Col., 67762-D; Japan. Col. J 7610, 7 October, 1929

[WAX 5907] LISZT Liebestraum No. 3 in A flat. With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DX 313, 8 December, 1930

[WA 10960] MENDELSSOHN Sweet Remembrance. With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DB 855, 8 December, 1930

[WA 10964] MENDELSSOHN The Fleecy Cloud (Song Without Words No. 20 in E-flat). With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DB 855, 8 December, 1930

[WA 7518] TRAD. Londonderry Air.† Am. Col. 2192-D, 19 June, 1928

[WA 10963] TRAD. Londonderry Air. With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DB 396; Japan. Col. J 5204, 8 December, 1930

[CA 14102] TRAD. Old German Love Song. With orchestra. Columbia DB 1390, 26 October, 1933

[WA 10959] TRAD. Lament (Old Irish Air). With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DB 396; Japan. Col. J 5204, 8 December, 1930

[WAX 5906] KREISLER Prelude and Allegro. With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DX 313 & DOX 267, 8 December, 1930

[WA 10962] WOLSTENHOLME The Answer. With Ethel Hobday, pianist. Columbia DB 1022, 8 December, 1930

[WAX 4949/–54] BAX Sonata for Viola. With Arnold Bax, pianist. Unissued on 78, 27 May, 1929

[WAX 5193/–95] DELIUS Sonata No. 2. With George Reeves, pianist. Columbia L 2342/–43; Am. Col. 67761-D/–62-D; Japan. Col. J 7609/–10, 7 October, 1929

 

[CAX 6704/–09] BRAHMS Sonata in f, Op. 120/1. With Harriet Cohen, pianist. Columbia LX 225/–27 & LOX 175/–77; Am. Col. 68114-D/–16-D; Japan. Col. J 8193/–95, 17 February, 1933

[CA 14105] MENDELSSOHN Duetto. With orchestra. Columbia DB 1468, 26 October, 1933

[CA 14103] Mendelssohn Gondola Song. With orchestra. Columbia DB 1468, 26 October, 1933

[WAX 4947/–48] HANDEL–HALVORSEN Passacaglia (from Harpsichord Suite No, 7 in g). With Albert Sammons, violinist. Columbia L 2364; Am. Col. 67747-D, 27 May, 1929

[WA 8744/–51] MOZART Trio in E, K542. With Albert Sammons, violinist and William Murdoch, pianist, 25 March, 1929

[WAX 1190/–97] MENDELSSOHN Trio in c, Op. 66. With Albert Sammons, violinist and William Murdoch, pianist. Columbia L 1755/–58; Am. Col. 67212-D/–15-D, 9 December, 1925

[CAX 6824/–31] MOZART Sinfonia concertante. With Albert Sammons, violinist and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Hamilton Harty, conductor. Columbia DX 478/–81 & DFX 158/–61; Am. Col. 68148-D/–51-D, 30 April, 1933

[CA 14104] DVOŘÁK Songs My Mother Taught Me. With orchestra. Columbia DB 1390, 26 October, 1933