Three exceptional international musicians will be welcomed to Hartlepool this weekend for a not-to-be-missed event in tribute to one of the town’s most famous musical sons.
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.
On Saturday 4 October, Sam Rosenthal (USA), winner of the 2025 Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, and Xunyu Zhou (China), winner of the 2025 Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition, will perform together with renowned pianist Sophia Rahman in a special concert in Hartlepool Art Gallery at 5pm.
Xunyu Zhou and Sam Rosenthal. Photo credit: Thomas Jackson – TyneSight Photographic
They will perform a captivating Tertis-inspired programme including Sonata for Viola and Piano No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 18 by York Bowen – a passionate work full of late-Romantic colour – and Sonata for Viola and Piano by Arnold Bax, a sweeping and atmospheric sonata.
Also featured in the programme will be two movements of György Ligeti’s solo viola sonata, Benjamin Britten’s haunting Lachrymae, Errollyn Wallen’s Lavinia and Frank Bridge’s Allegro Appasionato.
Then on Sunday 5 October, Community Hub Central in York Road will host Hartlepool’s very first Viola Day – an amazing opportunity for local violists of all ages and abilities to work with Sam Rosenthal and Xunyu Zhou.
This event, from 10am to 5pm, will include inspiring workshops, performances of compositions and arrangements written especially for viola ensemble, and opportunities to connect with the Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions and the British Viola Society.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “Following the great success of our very first Lionel Tertis celebratory concert earlier this year, we are incredibly thrilled to further strengthen our relationship with the Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions, the British Viola Society and the Glasshouse, Gateshead, by hosting these two fantastic events.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome competition winners Sam Rosenthal and Xunyu Zhou, and Sophia Rahman, to Hartlepool for what I have no doubt will be an exceptional concert on Saturday, followed by the very first Viola Day on Sunday, which I’m sure will be truly inspiring for viola players of all ages and abilities.
“We are immensely proud to call Lionel Tertis one of our own and there could be no finer way to celebrate his legacy. This further cultural accolade for Hartlepool in hosting these events echoes our ongoing multi-million pound physical revitalisation of the town.”
Sophia Rahman. Photo credit: Kaupo Kikkas
Dr Louise Lansdown, Executive Artistic Director of the Tertis and Aronowitz Viola Competitions, said: “The Tertis and Aronowitz Viola Competitions are thrilled to be celebrating the legacy of Lionel Tertis in his birth town of Hartlepool. Thank you to everyone who has made this historic weekend possible.
“Xunyu, Sam and Sophia’s Tertis-inspired programme is a veritable tapestry of opulence, colour and dazzling brilliance. The music will take your breath away! A concert you simply do not want to miss.”
Tickets for Saturday’s concert cost just £10 plus a £1.30 booking fee each and are available at www.creativehartlepool.com, or from the Box Office on 01429 890000 (open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am to 1pm).
Tickets for Sunday’s Viola Day cost: Day ticket - £55 plus a £1.30 booking fee each; Student day ticket - £25 plus a £1.30 booking fee each and are available from www.creativehartlepool.com (search for ‘Viola Day’).