Los Angeles mourns principal oboe and photographer
mainWe have been informed of the death of David Weiss, principal oboe of the LA Phil for 30 years until his retirement in 2003. For much of that time, he was also the orchestra’s principal photographer. See gallery here.
David first played in the orch in 1962, when he was just 15. He was professor of oboe at USC from 1985.
A member of a far-flung musical dynasty, his brother and sister both held principal seats in US orchs and hs cousin is the oted composer Mark Neikrug. David, ho suffered a heart attack yesterday, was just 67.
Our sympathies to his family and loved ones.
He also played the musical saw: a Stanley Handyman, the Stradivarius of musical saws. A man of great talent who will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.
On the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, no less! And more than once, IIRC.
Very sorry to hear this. Dave and I were good friends who met via the theremin, another of the musical instruments he played.
He was soft spoken, gentle, rich with personality, and a very nice person. What a loss
David was a friend and a musical college for about 52 years.
A great musician- funny extremely talented and an elegant man.
My heartfelt sympathy to his family.
David was a friend of our family’s for nearly 40 years. He was a consummate Renaissance man, master of both the oboe and the musical saw, world-class photographer, and surfing bon vivant. We loved him and will miss him forever. And boy, did he love my dad’s cooking!
My father was an amazing man. His musical accomplishments are well known, but who he was, was even more impressive. He was always there to lend a hand, give you advice, or his time. He loved taking his friends, kids, grand kids, and students surfing, and sitting in the water pushing them into a wave… Even when the surf was good. He dedicated his time to his family, and made them a priority above all else. It’s amazing that he was able to do this, with everything else he was accomplishing in his life. He was kind, generous, and always helpful. I don’t know who I would be without him. There are so many facets to this man, that I can’t even begin to describe him. Let me just say, if there ever was a perfect father, he was it. His loss is not only a loss to the musical community, his friends and family, but to me personally. He was active in my life every day. I am so grateful that he influenced and affected so many people. I am so proud to call myself his son. He will be deeply missed.
Jonathan Weiss
Wonderful human being, father, and outstanding teacher. Rest in peace.