Arthur Richardson and the R.T. Viola – orchestral playing in the UK – working with Beecham – ‘Beauty of Tone in String Playing’

Whatever Lionel Tertis did during his long and active life, he always gave everything to his task, and became impatient with others who, in his perception, did not have the same commitment and dedication. This trait sometimes led to misunderstandings and tensions that caused a strain on a friendship or a working relationship. A typical example was Tertis's association with the luthier Arthur Richardson of Crediton, Devon, a relationship in which passions on both sides often ran high. Now that the dust has settled on the disputes and disagreements, it can be seen that Tertis initiated a major contribution to the development of the instrument which in his words was ‘the love and tyrant of my life’.

The viola is an inherently unstable instrument: if it were to be built in proportion to the violin and cello, it would be too big to play under the chin. Tertis used to say that if he could have his time again, he would play it cello-fashion, with the body of the instrument resting on his thighs. But as it was, he had to take the viola as he found it, and he spent much of his long life pondering what its ideal size and shape should be. He was always obsessed with having a good C-string sound at his disposal, and would have no truck with anyone who played a small viola.

Soon after he and Ada moved to Bath, he contacted Richardson about his ideas for a ‘new’ viola, and their great collaboration began. His wish was to develop an instrument large enough to produce a sonorous tone, yet with a manageable shape for ease of handling. He threw himself into the quest for the perfect size and sound with that single-minded enthusiasm of which he alone was capable. The collaboration was to secure Richardson's income for the rest of his life – at the cost, sometimes, of his peace of mind.

Arthur Richardson was born in Staveley, Derbyshire, in 1882. He started making violins in 1914 while he was living in Leeds and working as an ecclesiastical wood carver.