Soaring Spirit

One of the most influential violists of our time, Joseph de Pasquale has had a profound impact on the repertoire and perception of the instrument. The dedicatee of the 25th International Viola Congress, which honored his revolutionary contributions to the field of viola performance, he holds a 50-year combined record as principal violist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. His signature rendition of Berlioz's Harold in Italy has become a reference work for students of the piece. And heading a distinguished musical family, he is violist of the De Pasquale String Quartet, joining with family members William and Robert, violinists, and Gloria, cellist - all members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. De Pasquale's years with the Boston Symphony spanned the tenures of conductors Koussevitsky, by whom he was appointed principal violist, Munch and Leinsdorf; during that time he premiered the Piston Viola Concerto, which had been written for him, and those of Walton and Milhaud. As principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra under Ormandy, Muti and Sawallisch, he performed virtually every major viola concerto, premiering Martinu's Rhapsody Concerto, Bruch's Romanze, Shulman's Theme and Variations, and Hummel's Potpourri. He has performed and recorded with such celebrated artists as violinist Jascha Heifetz and cellist Gregor Piatigorsky. Since 1990, he has been performing and recording exclusively with pianist Angelin Chang. A graduate of the Curtis Institute, where he studied with Louis Bally, Max Aronoff and William Primrose, he has served on the faculties of Indiana University and New England Conservatory and currently teaches at Curtis. His students hold positions in major orchestras worldwide.