Francis Baines (musician)

Francis Athelstan Baines (1917–1999) was a British composer, treble viol, and double-bass player. He had an important collection of 17th century viols, and "rare and early" musical instruments.^[1]

He taught at the Royal College of Music and performed at the Aldeburgh Festival. His Fanfare was included in Gerard Hoffnung's first Music Festival Concert along with works by the better-known British composers Malcolm Arnold and William Walton. His compositions include two symphonies (from 1953 and 1957), a Divertimento, and a set of Comic Variations.^[3] He took part in a performance of the Schubert "Trout" quintet with Benjamin Britten and the Amadeus Quartet and played nine instruments in a recording of medieval music.^[4]

Baines also played the treble viol, and led the Jaye Consort of Viols, which he founded.^[5] The Jaye Consort was the most important and consistent consort of viols in Britain since the Second World War, and made several significant recordings. They played and rehearsed almost every day in the Baines’s house in Barnes, London.

Baines retired to Ballydehob, Co. Cork, Ireland, and died there in April 1999. ^{[6] [7]}

• Biographical sketch
• Baines' photo in National Portrait Gallery