DAVID WEISS: Virtuoso Saw

David Weiss

Virtuoso Saw

© 2001 Cut Time Records (634479359729)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Weiss bends steel in his bare hands, backed by members of the LA Philharmonic in this "cutting edge" CD of pop and classical favorites - "He came, he sawed, he conquered." (Los Angeles Times).

tracks

1 Misty
2 Sweet Georgia Brown
3 Intermezzo from Carmen
4 Eleanor Rigby
5 The Swan
6 Yesterday
7 Habañera
8 Scarborough Fair
9 When I'm 64
10 Summertime
11 Gymnopedie
12 Arioso
13 The Rainbow Connection

notes

What started out as a lark twenty-two years ago, David Weiss is now considered to be one of the world's foremost musical saw virtuosos. He has appeared on the Tonight show, Prairie Home Companion, at Disneyland, on television commercials, and movies (most recently in the Grammy Award winning "O Brother Where Art Thou?"). July 1985 marked his Hollywood Bowl debut on the musical saw in a work specially commissioned for him by the Philharmonic. Other performances took place at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, aboard the QE2 and other cruises, and as an added feature in most of his oboe recitals. His album "Virtuoso Saw" received international critical acclaim.

Principal Oboist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1973-2003), Mr. Weiss began his musical training with piano lessons from his mother, Marcia Weiss, switching to oboe at age ten. A scholarship student at the University of Southern California, his studies were shortened by his acceptance of Principal Oboe with the Metropolitan Opera National Company on a 43-week tour of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Having lost his student deferment, and with the Vietnam war expanding, at the close of the opera tour Mr. Weiss enlisted in the Army as First Oboe of the West Point Military Academy Band (1966-1969). He then joined the Pittsburgh Symphony as Associate Principal Oboe, and two years later became Principal Oboe of the National Symphony in Washington, D.C. In 1973 he returned "home" to Los Angeles.

Mr. Weiss has recorded numerous symphonic works with such conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Antal Dorati, Carlo Maria Giulini, Erich Leinsdorf, Zubin Mehta, Andre Previn, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. A solo recording on Crystal Records entitled THE WEISS FAMILY WOODWINDS features David along with his brother Abe (Principal Bassoon of the Rochester Philharmonic) and his sister Dawn (Principal Flute of the Oregon Symphony).

As a soloist Mr. Weiss has appeared several times in Carnegie Recital Hall, at New York's Caramoor Festival, at Avery Fisher Hall, and at the Kennedy Center. His first concerto performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic was in 1962 when he was fifteen years old, and since then has been featured dozens of times. With his wife, pianist Alpha Hockett Walker (together known as "DnA"), they have performed in Israel, London, Paris, Japan, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii, and throughout the continental United States. They often feature unpublished or unusual works for oboe and English horn.

Mr. Weiss teaches at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, at the Music Academy of the West's summer festival, and at the Henry Mancini Institute. He previously served on the music faculties of Vassar College, Duquesne University, Catholic University, and the Sarasota Music Festival. He is in demand as a clinician and judge for major oboe events throughout the country. For the past thirteen years he has served as Chairman of the Music Advisory Board of the Young Musicians Foundation of Los Angeles.

In addition to musical endeavors, Mr. Weiss is an accomplished photographer whose work has been displayed at the Edward Weston Gallery in Carmel, Hollywood Bowl Museum, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, in major newspapers, magazines, and in biographies of famous musicians. As the Philharmonic's Official Photographer for close to thirty years, his work appeared regularly in the Music Center's Performing Arts Magazine. He has several album covers to his credit, including PHILHARMONIC SOLO on London Records. The recently published "The Hollywood Bowl - Tales of Summer Nights," and Henry Roth's "Violin Virtuosos," contain dozens of his photos.

For more information about Mr. Weiss, please visit his website: www.davidweissgallery.com

reviews

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  • Virtuoso Saw
    author: Graeme

    I bought the CD rather tongue in cheek and was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds. Weiss must be one of those people who is good at everyhing they do. In his case, clarinet, saw and camera. Great stuff.

  • Virtuoso Saw
    author: David

    Absolutly brilliant. I listen to your CD all the time. I am also a saw player. One of only about 9 or 10 in New Zealand. I am guest artist for quite a few cocerts in my area. Can you tell me what saw you use to play so high. And whwere can I get one. I only have the 36 inch Bass saw and want a new one. Thankyou Dave

  • It was different ,it really blew me away
    author: MoeTown

    I was in Amoebas in Hollywood. They were playing this CD on the store's speakers so everyone could hear it. I was amazed at the sound of the particular instrument. I didn't know what it was and a guy told me it was David Weiss playint the Saw! I immediately went to the counter and asked for a copy of the CD. Come to find out, it was the last one left, so they sold me the copy they were playing! I felt lucky. My favorites are number's... 1,3,4,7,11, and 13. I usually listen to rap and r&b, but as a rap artist, I like to be open minded, and music like this contributes to that! Thank you David Weiss and everyone else who put in a part of making this classic masterpiece!

  • Dead on intonation
    author: Craig Happel

    Excellent musicianship, solid and professionally performed arrangements and orchestrations, dead on intonation. Very impressive. I will use the CD to practice sawing. If you want to learn how to saw, this CD will give a lofty goal to reach for.

  • Cutting edge performance
    author: Jonathan Weiss

    One of a kind. The crisp clean sound of a saw, with vibrato added at just the right moments. A joy to listen to.

  • Super CD
    author: Flo Arnold

    Very professionally done!!! I just purchased two for Christmas presents.

  • Virtuoso sawyer.
    author: A. Bergman

    Excellent song selection; Brilliant performance. Mr. Weiss elevates the saw from the barroom to the classical stage.

  • sharp saw playing
    author: Squish

    Great saw playing! Excellect choice of songs! David, if you want to start a saw duo, I play saw too. Maybe just a lesson. Supurb CD!

  • Saw you on Roaring Camp video
    author: Dolly Ferguson

    Would like more cds.this is what a saw should sound like.I also play in a trio called-We Three-.You sir ,are terrific!Thank you for this marvelous cd.

  • Not Just A Novelty Record
    author: Herman Grimme

    The musical saw is an unusual instrument, often used as a gimmick rather than as a real instrument. I think that's mainly because it's very, very hard to play. I know, I tried it and now my girlfriend has picked it up, so to inspire her I gave her mr. Weiss' album. And it's working, because this is no gimmick, this is musicianship of the highest order. Be moved and amazed...

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