Tertis, Lionel (1876-1975), an English musician, became famous as a viola player and designer of stringed instruments. He promoted the viola as a solo instrument and arranged pieces for it. He also commissioned viola compositions from such composers as Arnold Bax of England. Tertis improved the design of the viola and also redesigned the cello and violin.
Tertis was born on Dec. 29, 1876, in West Hartlepool, England. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, in London, and at the Leipzig Conservatory, Germany. Tertis began playing the viola at the age of 19. He was principal violist of the Queen’s Hall Orchestra from 1900 to 1904 and was first violist in the Beecham Orchestra in 1909. He was director of the ensemble class at the Royal Academy of Music from 1924 to 1929. Tertis died on Feb. 22, 1975, in London.
