English Consort Of Viols

The English Consort of Viols was a British chamber music ensemble, established in 1935 by Marco Pallis and Richard Nicholson with a group of former Arnold Dolmetsch students. Focused on mid-XVI to mid-XVIII century and specifically British consort music and viol repertoire, the ensemble gave its debut performance in February 1938 at London's Wigmore Hall. Going through several line-up changes, the English Consort of Viols had a prolific career, touring until the late 1980s and releasing several albums on Turnabout, Saga Records, and other prominent specialist labels. Original line-up Marco Pallis — founder, artistic director (1935–1971) Richard Nicholson — treble viol, alto viol, organ (1935–1971) Elizabeth Goble — bass viol, harpsichord (1935–1971) Robert Donington — viol (1935–1939) Margaret Donington — viol (1935–1939?) New members (1967–1971) Roderick Skeaping — treble viol, alto viol (1967–1977) Kenneth Skeaping — tenor viol Sheila Marshall, Marjorie Lempfert, Trevor Jones — tenor viol Adam Skeaping — bass viol, solo division viol Catherine Mackintosh — treble viol Final years (after 1977) Nigel North — lute, tenor viol Ian Gammie — tenor viol, great bass viol Jane Ryan — bass viol