For the benefit of all

Paul Andersen, Enjoy!

GLENDALE -- There is a certain finality to the word “cancel.” Those

who question this can just click on that word the next time it shows up

on the computer screen.

Poof! Whatever it refers to, it’s gone.

That is why Sidney Weiss, music director and conductor of the Glendale

Symphony Orchestra, was adamant when he explained the situation the

organization is facing over a lack of funding.

“Our final concert of the season is merely being postponed, from March

16 to Aug. 17,” he calmly said. “It is not being canceled. It is just

that right now, due to the economy and the aftermath of Sept. 11, much of

our funding, both through corporate grants and individual donations, has

(virtually) dried up. And you can’t put on a show if you can’t pay for

it.”

However, there will still be music taking place at The Alex Theatre on

the evening of March 16. Instead of leading the orchestra in a program

devoted to the music of Beethoven, the conductor will perform as a

violinist in tandem with his pianist wife, Jeanne, in a concert

benefiting the Glendale Symphony.

As the Weiss Duo, the two musicians have received critical acclaim on

stages worldwide, Bob Bornhoeft, board president of the symphony

association, said.

“You have to remember that Sidney, besides being a wonderful

conductor, is a world-class musician who is passionate in his

understanding of the music,” he said. “It is one of the reasons why the

members of the orchestra love playing for him.”

The benefit will feature music by Mozart, Vitali, Grieg, Kreisler,

Rachmaninoff and Smetana. In what may seem an unusual move, the concert

will be free to the public, with everyone in the community invited. There

will be no tickets required, and seating will be on a first-come,

first-served basis.

Bornhoeft is confident that there will be a good turnout.

“We’re hoping that everybody in town will show up,” he said.

Donations will be accepted, and there will be many opportunities to

make them at tables set up throughout the venue. There also will be an

auction, with proceeds going to the symphony association.

Originally scheduled for The Alex, the concert was briefly moved to

the much-smaller Brand Library. However, it was decided that because of

its larger size, The Alex would generate more donations for the

orchestra.

“Glendale has one of the finest symphonies in the United States, and a

year from now, when things have gotten better again, people will want to

hear it,” Bornhoeft said. “But if we don’t take care of it now, it won’t

be there then.”

As for the program on Aug. 17, it will be slightly different than

originally planned.

“Instead of doing all Beethoven, we will include a pair of pieces by

Aaron Copland, ‘Appalachian Spring’ and ‘Lincoln Portrait,’ ” Weiss said.

Think of it as replacing the majesty of Beethoven with a purple

mountain variety.

IF YOU GO

WHO: The Weiss Duo with Maestro Sidney Weiss on violin and his wife,

Jeanne Weiss, at the piano.

WHAT: A benefit concert for the Glendale Symphony Orchestra.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

WHERE: The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.

COST: Free (donations will be accepted).

INFO: 500-8720.