My Viola and I

Lionel Tertis first studied the violin in Leipzig, Germany and later at the Royal Academy of Music in London where he was encouraged by the principal, Alexander Mackenzie, to take up the viola. Further encouraged by Oskar Nedbal, he became one of the best known violists of his time. As Professor of Viola at the RAM, he encouraged his colleagues and students to compose for the instrument, thereby greatly expanding its repertoire. Composers such as Arnold Bax, Frank Bridge, Gustav Holst, Benjamin Dale, York Bowen, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and William Walton all wrote pieces for him.

• List of Illustrations; Preface by Lillian Tertis: Acknowledgements; Author's Note; Foreword; 1. Formative Years; 2. Student Days;3. Back Desk to Front Desk; 4. Hobbies; 5. The Young Mr Beecham- and New English Composers; 6. 1914-18; 7. American Tours; 8. Fruitful Years; 9. The Elgar Viola Concerto; 10. Heyday in the Thirties; 11. A Dark Cloud; 12. Collaboration with Beecham 1938-9; 13. Return to the Concert Platform - and America; 14. Octogenarian Activity; 15. Revolutionary Seating Plan for a Symphony Orchestra; 16. Nonagenarian Activity; 17. Reflection; Essays for the String Player: Beauty of Tone in String Playing; The Art of String Quartet Playing; Hints to Composers; The Tertis Model Viola; Appendices: Violin Craftsmen who make The Tertis Model Viola; Works for Viola Solo; Discography - Recordings by Lionel Tertis; Index

"This will not only become the bible for all viola players, but an historic document for all musicians and music lovers, covering as it does three-quarters of a century of music making all over the world." Gramophone; "Lionel Tertis was a legend in his own lifetime - he stood shoulder to shoulder with Ysaye, Kreisler, Casals, Cortot, Rubinstein and a galaxy of stars in the first four decades of the 20th century. He was the first great virtuoso of the viola and arguably the best, and [his] recordings bear testament to one of Britain's finest musicians." John White, Classic Record Collector