David WeberDavid Weber, a legendary clarinetist whose performing career spanned six decades and who taught several generations of students, passed away on January 23, 2006. He was 92 years old. He was still teaching until about six months before his death. “Dave was friendly with and studied with the greatest clarinet players of the last era,” said Donald Montanaro, who retired last year as associate principal clarinetist in the Philadelphia Orchestra and still teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music. A longtime friend of Weber’s, Montanaro observed, “He was the last link to people like Hamelin, Cahuzac, McLane, Bonade, and Bellison.” In lessons that I and numerous others had with Weber, he would frequently offer tips or anecdotes passed on to him by these masters. To study with David Weber was to become part of the fabric that binds generations of clarinetists.  Bernard Van Doren, head of the company that makes the reeds and mouthpieces that Weber played throughout his life, remarked, “David Weber was a prestigious teacher and soloist. His teaching influenced generations of clarinetists that now hold important positions in orchestras around the world. At Vandoren, it was a pleasure to meet him, because he was not only a kind man, but very professional.” Karl Leister, formerly principal clarinet in the Berlin Philharmonic and a friend of Weber’s, noted that what set David Weber apart as a teacher was that he was also a gifted performer. “I always felt he was one of the really professional musicians because he was always active and playing in the New York City Ballet in the time when he was teaching.” Leister also appreciated Weber personal style. “For me David was in the style of European grand señor. He acted in a style where everybody must respect him. He was well dressed always, and he had a special feeling about what’s important in being together with another human…. David was always for me young, a young man, because he was so interested in so many things, and he was so open.” Mr. Weber was born in Vilnus, Lithuania and emigrated to the United States at the age of  7.   He began his clarinet studies with Roy Schmidt of the Detroit Symphony, before moving to New York in the 1930s, where he studied with Simeon Bellison and Daniel Bonade. He became fast friends with Ralph McLane, who later became principal clarinetist in the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 1938, Mr. Weber auditioned for Arturo Toscanini, who hired him on the spot to play Eb clarinet in the NBC Symphony. He went on to play assistant principal clarinet in the New York Philharmonic in 1943-1944 alongside Bellison. He was principal clarinetist in the CBS Symphony Orchestra from 1946-1952, and then assumed the same position in the Symphony of the Air (the successor to the NBC Symphony) under Leopold Stokowski. In 1964, he became principal clarinetist in the New York City Ballet Orchestra until his retirement from performing in 1986. He was also on the faculty of Juilliard and Columbia Teacher’s College. Mr. Weber’s enduring contribution is his lifelong pursuit of beautiful tone. "The most important thing," he would implore his students, "is to have a beautiful sound." A double-lip player, Mr. Weber would teach his students to strive for a rich, liquid, bell-like sound, a style exemplified by players such as himself, McLane and Harold Wright.  That beautiful Weber sound can be heard in the playing of his many students, who now occupy positions in major orchestras, and teach at major universities and conservatories.  In 2004, Mr. Weber received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Clarinet Association.  Not long ago Mr. Weber was asked what he felt his legacy has been.  He considered it, then said contentedly, "I gave a good lesson."