Violinist Sidney Weiss has Died, Aged 95

The American violinist was principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic between 1979 and 1994

The American violinist Sidney Weiss, who was principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic between 1979 and 1994, has passed away at the age of 95.

Born in Chicago in 1928, Weiss studied at the Chicago Musical College and later at DePaul University. He joined the first violin section of the Cleveland Orchestra, then led by George Szell, in 1956, and stayed there for a decade. In 1967, Weiss was appointed concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony.

During his time in Chicago, Weiss performed extensively with his wife and duo partner Jeanne Weiss, a pianist whom Weiss had met as a student. The pair appeared all over the United States and also gave two European tours. In 1972 they moved to Europe to pursue their recital careers, and Weiss also became concertmaster of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic in Monaco.

The pair returned to America so that Weiss could become concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1979. During his tenure there, Weiss made two solo appearances — in the Sibelius concerto with Simon Rattle (1981) and in the Korngold concerto with Lawrence Foster (1991).

According to Ernest Fleischmann, who was the LA Phil's executive vice president and managing director in 1994, described Weiss as "a man of tremendous integrity and a superb violinist. I think he earned the respect of musicians, conductors and soloists as well as his section. They respect him as much for his violin playing as for his human qualities."

Our condolences to Weiss's family, friends, and colleagues.