Michael Strauss, Viola
Michael Strauss’ love for the concert setting has led to appearances on concert series and live radio broadcasts across Europe, North America, Japan and China. He served as principal violist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for 20 years, and for the last eight, he has performed as a member of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra in Columbus, Ohio, and as principal violist of the Youngstown Symphony. He is a founding member of The Indianapolis Quartet, in residence at the University of Indianapolis. The quartet has commissioned and performed new works by Robert Paterson, Frank Felice, Meadow Bridgham and John Berners. In 2022, they released Robert Paterson: String Quartets Nos. 1-3, and they recorded Frank Felice’s Five Whimsies for his 2020 album. A former member of the Fine Arts Quartet, Strauss completed several European and domestic tours with them, as well as a critically acclaimed recording of Mozart’s six viola quintets. His solo recordings include the premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s Viola Sonata and concertos by David Finko and Stamitz. He is also the featured artist on the Suzuki Viola School recordings, volumes 8 and 9. Strauss has recorded chamber works by living composers with Orchestra 2001 and pieces inspired by poetry for oboe, viola and piano with the Jackson Trio. A dedicated teacher, Strauss is on the faculty at Youngstown State University and the Berkshire High Peaks Festival. He previously taught at Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, and he now regularly presents master classes, teaches developing to advanced students and coaches professionals in orchestral audition preparation.
Strauss’ work has been honored with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Cinnamon Award, First Prize of the WAMSO Competition of the Minnesota Orchestra, Ealing prize at the Tertis International Viola Competition, Artist Fellowship Awards from South Carolina and Indiana and a Creative Renewal Fellowship Award from the Arts Council of Indianapolis.
Strauss began his viola studies in Iowa City’s public schools with Celia Eckey. He continued under the tutelage of William Preucil Sr., John Graham and Karen Tuttle. He received additional training at Mannes College of Music and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Strauss is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and performs on a viola attributed to Matteo Albani of Bolzano, Italy, in 1704.
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The facts:
I am from Iowa City, Iowa.
What are you most excited for as you begin your tenure with Artis—Naples?
I’m most excited about forming new musical connections — making new friendships and working with new colleagues. I really admire the way Artis—Naples is constructed and the programming they bring to the community. I’m looking forward to being a part of that energy.
What is one fun fact about you?
If you own a copy of the Suzuki Viola Method Volume 1 or 2, first or revised edition, you have a picture of me at the front of the volumes as a 13-year-old, wearing a Chicago Bears #43 jersey and holding my viola. A lot of people assume that I am wearing a #34 jersey — the jersey of, arguably, the finest running back in history, the legendary Walter Payton — and that it was a printing mistake made by the publisher. But no. It is correctly displayed. #43. All-American defensive back Craig Clemons, from the University of Iowa, and a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears… and a friend of my Uncle Ed, who was a student manager of the team and would take me to practice from time to time.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I was taught at an early age by my parents to look for a passion that would inspire me to study my whole life, and that turned out to be music. It’s a divine communicative language. It is transporting for me, and I enjoy bringing music to students and audiences. Performing, for me, is joyful.
What’s challenging about playing your instrument?
The physicality of playing the viola can be challenging at times.
What are your favorite compositions?
The six Mozart string (viola) quintets.
What have you been listening to recently?
The Giuseppe Verdi string quartet and works that inspired his writing of it (Beethoven, Schubert and Mozart string quartets).
Are there other musicians in your immediate family?
Professionally, my wife is a cellist, my sister is a flutist, my brother-in-law is a percussionist and my nephew is a cellist. The members of my immediate family who chose not to pursue music as a profession have all studied music at one time.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Spending time with my family; playing with and training Beau, the family sheprador pup; playing golf; cooking; travel; and following University of Iowa sports and my pro sports teams, like the Chicago Cubs, Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers.