Myra Kestenbaum, 69; Lead Violist of L.A. Chamber Orchestra

Myra Kestenbaum, 69, a violist and composer best known for her work with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra when it was conducted by Neville Mariner, died Tuesday in Santa Monica of cancer.

Born in Los Angeles, Kestenbaum took up the violin at an early age. She studied violin with Julian Brodetsky and composition with Mario Castlenuovo-Tedesco. She later studied at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she was urged to make the viola her first priority.

After graduating from Juilliard, she was chosen by Roman Totenberg to join the Totenberg Ensemble and performed with him worldwide both as an ensemble artist and soloist.

As principal violist of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra from 1972 to 1979, she became a frequent concert soloist. She was also a member of the Los Angeles String Quartet and taught at the California State University campuses at Northridge and Fullerton and UCLA.

Her first major symphonic work, “String Portraits,” was commissioned by the San Luis Obispo Symphony Orchestra and premiered to critical acclaim in 1994.