JAVS Spring 2025

played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic and technical development.

recognized in 2020, when he received the American Viola Society’s Career Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to viola performance and pedagogy. As a recording artist, Schotten leaves behind a rich legacy, including seven albums for Crystal Records, showcasing both the viola’s solo and chamber music repertoire. His recordings remain a testament to his artistry, offering insight into his expressive and deeply personal approach to music-making. Beyond his professional achievements, Schotten’s warmth, humor, and unwavering dedication to his students and colleagues made him a beloved figure in the viola community. His influence will continue to resonate through the countless musicians he inspired, and his legacy will endure in the artistry of those who carry forward his teachings. The American Viola Society extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, students, and colleagues. Yizhak Schotten’s profound impact on the viola world will be remembered and cherished for generations to come.

Schotten’s performing career spanned continents and orchestras. He held positions in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, later serving as associate principal of the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra and principal viola of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He was also a founding member of the award-winning Trio d’Accordo and concluded his orchestral tenure as the principal violist of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. A devoted educator, Schotten, joined the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Music in 1985, following appointments at Rice University and the University of Washington. His teaching reached far beyond the classroom, as he gave masterclasses around the world and served as a guiding force for generations of violists. He was a fixture at international music festivals and competitions, sharing his expertise with young artists and seasoned professionals alike. Schotten was a distinguished figure in the viola world, serving as the artistic director of the XIV International Viola Congress, and appearing as a featured artist at multiple International Congresses. His dedication was

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