Music: Melancholy Viola

One of the oddest series of recitals for the U. S. next season will be that of Lionel Tertis. Mr. Tertis is an English musician of some note. His instrument is the viola. Few lay citizens know just what the viola is. It is a member of the viol family, lying midway between the violin and the violoncello. In appearance it is nothing more than a large violin, played in the customary position for the violin. Its tone is very distinctive, deeper, mellower and moodier than that of the violin. Its lack lies in variety. It does not have the alternate darkness and brightness of the violin or the alternate bass strength and majesty and tenor fervor of the violoncello, but preserves a characteristic romantic melancholy throughout.

Lionel Tertis is a talented musician, who has devoted himself to advancing the viola for solo work. He is bent on demonstrating his thesis that the viola is a beautiful instrument for recitals.