Throughout her long and illustrious career, Lillian Fuchs was lauded as one of the first great American violists. This penetrating study of Ms. Fuchs's professional life as a performer, teacher, composer, arranger, and chamber music coach offers a fascinating view of this remarkable personality. whose professional life influenced countless musicians.

Based upon conversations with Ms. Fuchs and members of her family, interviews with former students and colleagues, and concert reviews, "Lillian Fuchs: First Lady of the Viola" draws together oral and written information to create a biographical portrait that also sheds light on the history of American music in the twentieth century--a time when talented women had to struggle fiercely to survive in the face of male domination of the music profession.