If Pablo Casals was the most influential 20th-century musician when it came to raising the profile of the cello, Lionel Tertis was the equivalent for the viola. As Tully Potter’s erudite sleeve notes point out, the British violist was born on the same day as Casals, 26 December 1876 and lived even longer, dying in 1975. Raised in London’s East End, he was 19 by the time he even discovered the instrument that would make him famous and was entirely self-taught. His supple, vibrato, influenced by Kreisler’s violin technique, gave his playing the warm sonority that built him a legion of fans on disc and in the concert hall. His tireless commissioning turned the viola from shy chamber music partner to out-and-proud solo instrument.

British violist Timothy Ridout is making a real impact both at home and abroad (he toured Australia with Musica Viva in 2023). His recent recording of Elgar’s cello concerto in the composer’s transcription for Tertis was a Limelight Recording of the Month in January 2023. This double-disc tribute presents a generous fistful of the works commissioned by his distinguished predecessor...