Council Takes Ownership of Rare Baby Grand Piano Linked to Hartlepool-Born Composer

Historic Lionel Tertis Piano Donated to Hartlepool Borough Council

From West Hartlepool to World Stage: Lionel Tertis’ Piano Returns Home

19th Jan 2026

Hartlepool Borough Council has formally accepted the donation of a historically significant baby grand piano once owned by Lionel Tertis, following an officer decision signed off on the 19th November 2025.

The Baby Grand Piano is said to be similar to the one pictured and was owned by the Hartlepool born composer.

The decision, authorises the Council to accept a Schiedmayer & Söhne baby grand piano, manufactured in Germany around 1909 and said to be valued at approximately £35,000—a figure that notably excludes any additional premium attached to its provenance as Tertis’ personal instrument.

Just Who Was Lionel Tertis ?

Lionel Tertis, was born in West Hartlepool in 1876, & is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of the viola. Internationally acclaimed as both a performer and composer, Tertis transformed the status of the viola as a solo instrument and inspired major composers—including Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, Arnold Bax and William Walton—to write works specifically for him.

Although best known for his career as a violist, Tertis’ first instrument was the piano, which makes the donated instrument especially relevant to his early musical development. Tertis dies on the 22nd Feb 1975 aged 98. In 2015, English Heritage unveiled a blue plaque at his Wimbledon, London home.

The piano being donated to Hartlepool Borough Council is described in the Council’s acquisition documents as A Schiedmayer & Söhne baby grand, serial number 28439, Measuring 5 feet 9 inches, with rosewood casework and French polish & was fully rebuilt in 2004 by A. Hanna & Sons of Wimbledon.

The instrument was said to have been owned most recently by The Tertis Foundation, a registered charity established in Tertis’ memory. With the Foundation now closing, its trustees sought a “suitable home” for the piano and approached Hartlepool Borough Council directly, citing the town’s status as Tertis’ birthplace.

All restoration, insurance and transport costs are said to be being met by the Foundation, meaning the piano is being acquired by the Council at zero purchase cost.

Where Will It Go?

According to the acquisition proposal, the piano is intended to be housed either In the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre main auditorium, or At The Hartlepool Art Gallery and comes as the latest addition to the councils art collections following a number of additional items being donated and are likely to be placed on public display in the near future.