Lionel Tertis (1876-1975) was an English violist, one of the central figures in establishing the viola as a solo instrument. He inspired and performed a wide repertory for the instrument.

In the Pristine catalogue he appears with Albert Sammons, William Murdoch and Hamilton Harty in Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelssohn-related recordings.

Tertis’s playing brought warmth, breadth and advocacy to an instrument too often treated as an orchestral middle child.

His page is essential. Tertis gives the viola shelf a proper throne instead of a folding chair.