Two of the finest musicians of their generation will be paying tribute to one of Hartlepool’s most famous musical sons in a not-to-be-missed concert in the town in the new year.
Lionel Tertis CBE (1876-1975), who was born in West Hartlepool, was the first great viola virtuoso, achieving international fame and transforming the perception of the viola as a solo instrument.
To honour his remarkable legacy, works composed, inspired, commissioned and arranged by him will be performed by Timothy Ridout and James Baillieu in an hour-long concert called ‘At Home in Hartlepool – A Celebration of Lionel Tertis’ on Tuesday, 21 January at 1.15pm in Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre.
The Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition 2025 is being hosted at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead in January, and Hartlepool Council has worked with the competition organisers to present this afternoon of unforgettable music in Hartlepool.
A true viola superstar, Timothy Ridout, a BBC New Generation Artist and Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellow, is a previous winner of both the Cecil Aronowitz and Lionel Tertis competitions.
23rd June 1958: English violist Lionel Tertis (left) in conversation with English composer, conductor and organist Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 – 1958). (Photo by Erich Auerbach/Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
This season he is performing with major orchestras including the BBC Symphony and Tokyo Metropolitan, and tours globally. A sought-after chamber musician, he collaborates with renowned artists including Janine Jansen and records for Harmonia Mundi.
Praised by the Daily Telegraph as “in a class of his own” James Baillieu is a leading song and chamber pianist. He collaborates with renowned artists such as Lise Davidsen, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and Benjamin Appl, performing at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall.
Among his highlights are global recital tours, innovative programming and acclaimed recordings on labels like Alpha Classics and Sony. A Borletti-Buitoni Fellow, he curates celebrated music festivals worldwide.
Lionel Tertis was a self-taught player inspired by Fritz Kreisler and in 1900 he became the first viola professor at the Royal Academy of Music.
For 22 years he played with The Chamber Music Players alongside Albert Sammons, Felix Salmond and William Murdoch. As a recitalist, he partnered with pianists like Ethel Hobday, York Bowen and Artur Rubinstein. He also composed short pieces and performed works by composers such as Bax, Delius, and Brahms.
Cllr Pamela Hargreaves, chairman of Hartlepool Council’s economic growth and regeneration committee, said: “We are delighted to develop a new relationship with the Glasshouse, Gateshead, and specifically with the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition – something that we hope to further develop in years to come – and we are thrilled to welcome Timothy Ridout and James Baillieu to Hartlepool for an unforgettable afternoon of the finest quality music.
“Lionel Tertis was an outstanding musician whom Hartlepool is proud to call one of its own, and it is very fitting that two of the finest current musicians of their generation globally will be here in Hartlepool to perform in tribute to him.”
Cllr Phil Holbrook, who played a key role in helping to bring the concert to Hartlepool, added: “On 21 January, Hartlepool will be the centre of the classical music world, as both musicians are simply world class.
“It isn’t every day that an opportunity like this comes along, and initial discussions have already taken place for another concert in 2026 to celebrate Tertis’ 150th birthday.
“Special thanks must go to local historian Eric Wilson, who alerted me to Tertis, the son of Polish-Jewish refugees.”
Tickets for ‘At Home in Hartlepool – A Celebration of Lionel Tertis’ at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre cost £11.20 each and can be booked at www.creativehartlepool.com, or call the Box Office on 01429 890000 (1pm-4pm, Tuesday – Saturday).
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