Remembering Violinist Sidney Weiss (1928-2024), former LA Phil Concertmaster

January 24, 2024, 1:35 PM · Violinist Sidney Weiss, who was a former concertmaster of Los Angeles Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, former conductor of the Glendale Symphony and who also made violins and bows, died on Jan. 12 at the age of 95.

Violinist Sidney Weiss with his wife Jeanne Weiss - the Weiss Duo.

Born in Chicago, Weiss studied at the Chicago Musical College and then attended De Paul University. From 1956 to 1966 he played in the Cleveland Orchestra - auditioning for George Szell using a violin that he had made himself, according to the book George Szell's Reign by Marcia Hansen Kraus.

While still a student, he met his wife, pianist Jeanne Weiss, and they performed extensively together during their long marriage, recording as the Weiss Duo. Some of their recordings included Elgar and Walton violin sonatas; Beethoven and Franck Sonatas; Prokofiev Sonatas and more. Jeanne Weiss died on July 3, 2022.

In 1967 Weiss became concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a post he held until 1972. The couple then moved to Europe, where Weiss served as concertmaster of the Orchestre National de l’Opera de Monte Carlo from 1973 to 1979 while the couple also pursued their solo and duo-recital careers, performing in Great Britain, Holland, Austria, Germany, Israel, France, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, and Norway.

In 1979 they returned to the U.S., where Weiss became principal concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. During his tenure there, which lasted until 1994, Weiss made two solo appearances — performing the Sibelius concerto with Simon Rattle (1981) and in the Korngold concerto with Lawrence Foster (1991).

"I knew and loved him, and had tremendous respect for him," said Los Angeles violinist and conductor Armen Anassian. When Anassian was performing concert tours as a soloist in Armenia, Romania, Germany and the U.S., he would often stop by to play the concertos beforehand for Weiss, whose knowledge was vast. "As concertmaster of Monte Carlo, Los Angeles, etc, he had performed most of the violin concerto repertoire, even concertos which were not often done, like Korngold, Khachaturian, Bartok 2. I knew this and would ask to play for him before my concerts. He had great ideas and suggestions. Such a gracious, kind gentleman."

"Later, when he was Concertmaster of Los Angeles opera, and now my colleague, he asked me to record with him the Chausson Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet," Anassian said. (Here is that recording.)

After his time in the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Weiss served as the conductor of the Glendale Symphony from 1997-2001.

In addition to making long-pattern Strad violins, he also had other work-working projects.

"One of Sidney's most unique talents was his ability to create miniature masterpieces. He had a particular fascination with replicating furniture from the J. Paul Getty Museum, painstakingly crafting each piece with meticulous attention to detail," wrote James Frederick in City Watch LA. "These miniature works of art captured the essence of the original furniture, earning Sidney accolades from art enthusiasts and collectors alike."

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Mary Ellen Goree

January 27, 2024 at 12:40 AM · A long life well lived, and a great loss to his community as well as his family. My condolences to all who loved him.

Richard Shagam

January 28, 2024 at 11:12 PM · When I was in a youth orchestra in Chicago back in the '60s, he spoke to us and even played my violin (a Thomas Kennedy) with the bow my father made. He approved of them!

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Remembering Violinist Sidney Weiss (1928-2024), former LA Phil Concertmaster

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