but soon switched to viola at the urging of Franz Kneisel (she was once heard to say, much to the great surprise of the auditors present, that it had never been her idea to play the viola, as she considered the instrument to be too big for her!). She thereafter was a founding member of the Perolé Quartet, playing viola with this ensemble from 1925 to 1945. She collaborated with the Budapest and Amadeus String Quartets (see below) and often appeared in performance with her brothers Joseph, a violinist and Harry, a cellist. Later, she formed the Lillian Fuchs Trio with her twin daughters. She played in a number of chamber groups, notably the Musicians Guild, and appeared as a soloist with major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Casals Festival Orchestra. In 1947, Bohuslav Martinů composed and dedicated his 'Madrigals' for violin and viola to Lillian and Joseph Fuchs after hearing them perform the Mozart Duos at Town Hall in New York City. A renowned teacher of viola, Fuchs was also an important teacher of chamber music, counting among her pupils Isaac Stern, Pinchas Zukerman, Dorothy DeLay, Rosemary Glyde, and many others. Lillian Fuchs's influence can be seen in her two daughters, Barbara Stein Mallow, cellist, Carol Stein Amado (deceased), violinist, her granddaughter, Jeanne Abby Mallow, violist and violinist, and grandson, David Amado, conductor. Recordings Most of her vinyl recordings are now collector's items. Many can be found on EBay, but are otherwise unavailable commercially. DoReMi Records has recently re-released a CD version of her 1950's recordings of the Bach Cello Suites. Her interpretation of the sixth suite (originally written for a five stringed instrument, the viola pomposa) made such an impression on Pablo Casals, that after a private performance, he (as told by Miss Fuchs) said to her that it sounded better on the viola than on the cello. She was the first to perform and record the Bach Suites for the viola. She used her Matteo Goffriller viola in recording all 6 suites. The microphone was placed under her instrument due to the amazing resonance. A complete list of her studio recordings (issued and unissued) and a partial list of archive recordings : Johann Sebastian Bach Complete Cello Suites. Lillian Fuchs, viola. (Doremi CD DHR-7801) Johann Sebastian Bach Suite No. 1 in G major, Suite No. 3 in C major. Lillian Fuchs, viola. (Decca LP