Lillian Fuchs
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Lillian Fuchs (1903-1991) was an American violist who taught, composed, and performed music for the viola. She is considered to be among the finest violists of her time. She hailed from a musically talented family: her brothers, Joseph Fuchs (a violinist) and Harry Fuchs (cello) performed with her on commercial recordings, and her children and grandchildren continue in her footsteps to this day.
She studied with Franz Kneisel, and later enjoyed a career teaching at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music. Lawrence Dutton and Yizhak Schotten were two of her students. She composed several books of Etudes for the viola which are considered standard for use in universities and music schools today. These include Twelve Caprices for Viola, Fifteen Characteristic Studies for Viola, and Sixteen Fantasy Etudes for Viola Solo. Concertpieces she composed include Sonata Pastorale for solo viola.
She performed and recorded many standard and non-standard pieces in the viola repertoire, including significant 20th Century works. Known for an excellent tone combined with expert musicianship and technique, she played on a Gasparo da Salò viola with a Dodd bow, and used a gut 'A' string. (Dodd bows are often shorter than other viola bows, which was a feature Lillian prized for greater control in performing).
Among the pieces she recorded are the Debussy Sonate, Beethoven's Trios, Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra and Mozart's Violin/Viola Duos. In 1947, Bohuslav Martinů heard Lillian and her brother Joseph perform the Mozart Duos in New York, and afterwards he composed and dedicated a set of Viola/Violin duos to them. Lillian Fuchs also championed and recorded pieces by other contemporaries of hers -- besides Martinů, Virgil Thompson, Jaques DeMenasce, and Rousell are a few. Most of her recordings are only available on vinyl, although DoReMi records has recently re-released onto CD her exemplary 1950's recording of the Bach Cello Suites. Her interpretation of these suites made such an impression on Pablo Casals that he is alleged to have admitted to her, immediately after she played for him, that they sounded better on the viola than on the cello.
[edit] Sources
- Broe, Carolyn. Progressive Etudes for the Viola. (Retrieved July 31, 2006.)
- Ronai, Laura. Review of the recently re-released Bach Suites. (Retrieved January 22, 2006).
- DoReMi Records Website. (Retrieved January 22, 2006).
- Mallow, Jeanne Website. (Retrieved January 22, 2006).
- Williams, Amadee Daryl. Lillian Fuchs, First Lady of the Viola (Studies in the History and Interpretation of Music). Published by Edwin Mellen Press, 1994.
- The Viola email list archives Yahoo!Groups Website. (Retrieved February 9, 2006).
