Doktor, Paul 1919-1989

Paul Doktor (1919-1989) was an eminent violist and teacher in Europe and the United States.

One of the eminent violists of his time, the Viennese born Paul Doktor was the son of another distinguished violist, Karl Doktor, an associate of the violinist, Adolf Busch. He completed his studies at the Vienna Academy of Music in 1938 and moved to Switzerland the next year. He was the prize winner at the Geneva International Viola Competition in 1942. He moved to the United States in 1947, and became an American citizen in 1952. He gave the premieres of several significant compositions for viola, including concertos by Quincy Porter, Walter Piston, and Wilfred Josephs. He was a founding member of several ensembles, including the New York String Sextet, the Rococo Ensemble, and the Paul Doktor String Trio.

An influential teacher, Doktor taught at several institutions, including the University of Michigan, Manne's College of Music, Julliard School of Music, New York University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the State University College at Purchase. He concertized in the U.S., Britain, and Europe and produced recordings under several labels. His editions and transcriptions for viola were widely used. In 1977, he was the recipient of the ASTA Artist-Teacher of the year award.

Paul Doktor died in 1989.

From the guide to the Paul Doktor papers, 1945-1988, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)