From humble start to world fame, violinist Arnold Eidus-
Child prodigy Arnold Eidus started playing the violin for handouts, but his subsequent career blossomed into Carnegie Hall concerts, international awards and performances, popular advertising jingles, and quiet recitals for friends and family in his later years.
Mr. Eidus, who retired to South Florida in 1985, died Monday at a Delray Beach hospice. He was 90.
"My life was largely wonderful and very exciting," Mr. Eidus told the Sun Sentinel in a story about his 80th birthday. "I've been extremely lucky."
The son of poor Russian immigrants in New York City, Mr. Eidus took up the violin at age 4 to help feed his family during the Great Depression. He then studied at the Julliard School of Music, and at age 11 gave the first of seven performances at Carnegie Hall.
By 16, Mr. Eidus was playing professionally, touring major U.S. cities. In his early 20s, he recorded with Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Wes Montgomery and Tony Bennett.
In 1946, at age 24 in Paris, he achieved what he considered a career pinnacle: the first American to win the prestigious Jacques Thibaud International Violin Competition.
"It was unbelievable," he said. "That had to be the most exciting part of my life."
Mr. Eidus went on to become concertmaster of the ABC Symphony and music director at ABC Radio, where he played in a weekly chamber music series. He also performed as soloist with a variety of noted international orchestras. Critics hailed his lively, theatrical stage presence.
In 1967, Mr. Eidus joined a noted New York advertising agency, and produced hundreds of jingles for TV commercials. "He produced a lot of the popular jingles that you might be able to hum today," said his son, Dr. Robert Eidus, of Jersey City, N.J.
One of those ditties was the "Mmmm, mmmm good," signature tune for Campbell Soup.
Upon retirement, Mr. Eidus was an avid golfer who also performed intimate concerts for relatives and friends. "That was the thing he enjoyed doing most in retirement," he son said. "He was still able to play virtuoso pieces like the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto into his mid-80s."
Mr. Eidus was predeceased by his wife, Doris, and a daughter, Licia. Besides his son, survivors include two sisters, Trudy Gittelman of Lake Worth, and Delli Passman of Boynton Beach, and three grandchildren.
There will be a graveside service at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach.
Child prodigy Arnold Eidus started playing the violin for handouts, but his subsequent career blossomed into Carnegie Hall concerts, international awards and performances, popular advertising jingles, and quiet recitals for friends and family in his later years.
Mr. Eidus, who retired to South Florida in 1985, died Monday at a Delray Beach hospice. He was 90.
"My life was largely wonderful and very exciting," Mr. Eidus told the Sun Sentinel in a story about his 80th birthday. "I've been extremely lucky."
The son of poor Russian immigrants in New York City, Mr. Eidus took up the violin at age 4 to help feed his family during the Great Depression. He then studied at the Julliard School of Music, and at age 11 gave the first of seven performances at Carnegie Hall.
By 16, Mr. Eidus was playing professionally, touring major U.S. cities. In his early 20s, he recorded with Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Wes Montgomery and Tony Bennett.
In 1946, at age 24 in Paris, he achieved what he considered a career pinnacle: the first American to win the prestigious Jacques Thibaud International Violin Competition.
"It was unbelievable," he said. "That had to be the most exciting part of my life."
Mr. Eidus went on to become concertmaster of the ABC Symphony and music director at ABC Radio, where he played in a weekly chamber music series. He also performed as soloist with a variety of noted international orchestras. Critics hailed his lively, theatrical stage presence.
In 1967, Mr. Eidus joined a noted New York advertising agency, and produced hundreds of jingles for TV commercials. "He produced a lot of the popular jingles that you might be able to hum today," said his son, Dr. Robert Eidus, of Jersey City, N.J.
One of those ditties was the "Mmmm, mmmm good," signature tune for Campbell Soup.
Upon retirement, Mr. Eidus was an avid golfer who also performed intimate concerts for relatives and friends. "That was the thing he enjoyed doing most in retirement," he son said. "He was still able to play virtuoso pieces like the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto into his mid-80s."
Mr. Eidus was predeceased by his wife, Doris, and a daughter, Licia. Besides his son, survivors include two sisters, Trudy Gittelman of Lake Worth, and Delli Passman of Boynton Beach, and three grandchildren.
There will be a graveside service at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach.
From humble start to world fame, violinist Arnold Eidus-
Child prodigy Arnold Eidus started playing the violin for handouts, but his subsequent career blossomed into Carnegie Hall concerts, international awards and performances, popular advertising jingles, and quiet recitals for friends and family in his later years.
Mr. Eidus, who retired to South Florida in 1985, died Monday at a Delray Beach hospice. He was 90.
"My life was largely wonderful and very exciting," Mr. Eidus told the Sun Sentinel in a story about his 80th birthday. "I've been extremely lucky."
The son of poor Russian immigrants in New York City, Mr. Eidus took up the violin at age 4 to help feed his family during the Great Depression. He then studied at the Julliard School of Music, and at age 11 gave the first of seven performances at Carnegie Hall.
By 16, Mr. Eidus was playing professionally, touring major U.S. cities. In his early 20s, he recorded with Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Wes Montgomery and Tony Bennett.
In 1946, at age 24 in Paris, he achieved what he considered a career pinnacle: the first American to win the prestigious Jacques Thibaud International Violin Competition.
"It was unbelievable," he said. "That had to be the most exciting part of my life."
Mr. Eidus went on to become concertmaster of the ABC Symphony and music director at ABC Radio, where he played in a weekly chamber music series. He also performed as soloist with a variety of noted international orchestras. Critics hailed his lively, theatrical stage presence.
In 1967, Mr. Eidus joined a noted New York advertising agency, and produced hundreds of jingles for TV commercials. "He produced a lot of the popular jingles that you might be able to hum today," said his son, Dr. Robert Eidus, of Jersey City, N.J.
One of those ditties was the "Mmmm, mmmm good," signature tune for Campbell Soup.
Upon retirement, Mr. Eidus was an avid golfer who also performed intimate concerts for relatives and friends. "That was the thing he enjoyed doing most in retirement," he son said. "He was still able to play virtuoso pieces like the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto into his mid-80s."
Mr. Eidus was predeceased by his wife, Doris, and a daughter, Licia. Besides his son, survivors include two sisters, Trudy Gittelman of Lake Worth, and Delli Passman of Boynton Beach, and three grandchildren.
There will be a graveside service at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach.
Child prodigy Arnold Eidus started playing the violin for handouts, but his subsequent career blossomed into Carnegie Hall concerts, international awards and performances, popular advertising jingles, and quiet recitals for friends and family in his later years.
Mr. Eidus, who retired to South Florida in 1985, died Monday at a Delray Beach hospice. He was 90.
"My life was largely wonderful and very exciting," Mr. Eidus told the Sun Sentinel in a story about his 80th birthday. "I've been extremely lucky."
The son of poor Russian immigrants in New York City, Mr. Eidus took up the violin at age 4 to help feed his family during the Great Depression. He then studied at the Julliard School of Music, and at age 11 gave the first of seven performances at Carnegie Hall.
By 16, Mr. Eidus was playing professionally, touring major U.S. cities. In his early 20s, he recorded with Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Wes Montgomery and Tony Bennett.
In 1946, at age 24 in Paris, he achieved what he considered a career pinnacle: the first American to win the prestigious Jacques Thibaud International Violin Competition.
"It was unbelievable," he said. "That had to be the most exciting part of my life."
Mr. Eidus went on to become concertmaster of the ABC Symphony and music director at ABC Radio, where he played in a weekly chamber music series. He also performed as soloist with a variety of noted international orchestras. Critics hailed his lively, theatrical stage presence.
In 1967, Mr. Eidus joined a noted New York advertising agency, and produced hundreds of jingles for TV commercials. "He produced a lot of the popular jingles that you might be able to hum today," said his son, Dr. Robert Eidus, of Jersey City, N.J.
One of those ditties was the "Mmmm, mmmm good," signature tune for Campbell Soup.
Upon retirement, Mr. Eidus was an avid golfer who also performed intimate concerts for relatives and friends. "That was the thing he enjoyed doing most in retirement," he son said. "He was still able to play virtuoso pieces like the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto into his mid-80s."
Mr. Eidus was predeceased by his wife, Doris, and a daughter, Licia. Besides his son, survivors include two sisters, Trudy Gittelman of Lake Worth, and Delli Passman of Boynton Beach, and three grandchildren.
There will be a graveside service at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, West Palm Beach.
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