Robert Korda, former L.A. Philharmonic violinist, is found dead

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Robert Korda, a violinist who played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for nearly 20 years, was found dead Sunday by the Los Angeles Police Department after he was reported missing by his family on Wednesday.

The LAPD said that Korda, 68, was reported missing after he failed to show up for work at the Gower Studios in Hollywood last week. An investigation as to the cause of his death is underway.

Korda began his tenure as a second violinist at the L.A. Philharmonic during the 1960-61 season and played with the orchestra until 1980. During his time with the philharmonic, Korda played under the baton of two music directors -- Zubin Mehta and Carlo Maria Giulini.

Since leaving the philharmonic, Korda has worked as a freelance musician and played with various orchestras and chamber groups.

According to police reports, Korda’s body was identified Sunday in custody at the coroner’s office. It turned out that authorities had picked up his body Wednesday at a home in Glendale and transported it to a hospital where he was pronounced dead later that same day. The body was subsequently transferred to the coroner’s office.

Korda’s son, Noah, had launched a frantic search for his father via a personal blog.

‘My father has been found and my family and I are making funeral arrangements,’ says the latest entry on the blog. ‘At the families request, we ask at this time to please do not call any of the family’s cell phone numbers or home numbers.’

-- David Ng

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