JAVS Spring 2025

complete—he was as immaculately dressed and mentally focused as if walking onto the stage at Carnegie Hall. Why such attention to detail? —because the Masterclass setting put him before an audience of peers for whom these sessions were no less a performance than those with a world-renowned orchestra McInnes was renowned for his contributions to the art of teaching. Among his many accomplishments, he became known as the “Master of the Masterclass,” a title well earned through his meticulous preparation and deeply engaging teaching style. He elevated the Masterclass setting into an art form, seamlessly blending technical expertise, musical insight, and a profound generosity of spirit. Each session was as meticulously prepared as a solo recital, reflecting his belief that teaching was itself a performance. His ability to communicate both the minutiae and the broader essence of music made an indelible impact on students and audiences alike. The McInnes moment in the Masterclass was a unique phenomenon in viola history—and indeed string instrument history—a treasure for violists and a model for future masterclasses regardless of musical medium. McInnes’s influence was particularly felt through his participation in viola congresses, where he was a distinguished presence for decades. He appeared in

multiple capacities at International Viola Congresses from 1975 through 2008 and served multiple terms on the American Viola Society Executive Committee. His dedication to the viola community earned him numerous accolades, including the AVS Distinguished Service Citation (1989), the AVS Outstanding Achievement Plaque (1995), and the IVS Silver Clef Award (2008). In a 2015 interview with Ovation Press, he reflected on his dual role as a performer and teacher: “I have always been passionate about sharing my experiences performing in a way that helps my students to grow. My life, both professional and personal, has been very good to me. It is now time to pass the torch to the younger generation.” Donald McInnes is survived by his husband, three children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren. His impact on the viola world will continue to resonate through his students and the generations of musicians who encountered his wisdom, even if only for a brief but transformative moment in a master class.

This In Memoriam to Donald McInnes in its original form appeared, in part, as a tribute in Dwight Pounds’ “Legends of the IVS” lecture, in celebration of his many appearances at viola congresses and his manifold contributions to the art of the viola.

Yizhak Schotten (1943-2024)

The viola community mourns the loss of Yizhak Schotten, an esteemed violist, educator, and mentor, whose contributions to the art of viola playing have left an indelible mark on the field. Born in Haifa, Israel, in 1943, Schotten’s musical journey began with violin studies at the age of nine, but it was the sound of William Primrose on the radio that led him to his true calling— the viola—at the age of fourteen. Schotten’s formative years as a violist were shaped by studies with Heinrich Jacobi in Israel, followed by an encounter with Primrose himself, which earned him a scholarship to study at the University of Southern California. He later pursued further studies with Primrose at Indiana University and with Lillian Fuchs at the Manhattan School of Music, each of whom

Yizhak Schotten (1943-2024)

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 41, No. 1, Spring 2025

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