Born in Chicago in 1930, Golan started taking violin lessons at age four and by age five was performing with orchestras and being paid for it. He attended the University of Chicago on a music scholarship but also participated in sports, lettering in baseball. While in college, he played violin in the Chicago Civic Orchestra and served as concertmaster during his final season. After graduating, he played for the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra as well local jazz bands.

Golan was short on formal training in music but long on being able to play with great musicians. “I was fortunate enough to have a knack for improvising in many different styles, without ever having a formal lesson in any of them,” he said in an interview with Musicians Professional Resource. “I love to improvise not only in the jazz styles, both acoustic and electric, but also in gypsy, klezmer [a musical style of eastern European Jews], country, and different classical styles.”

In 1969, he was hired by Sir Georg Solti, music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where Golan spent the next 33 years. He was principal second violin, beating seven other people who auditioned.

His career included playing with the Grant Park Symphony. He was artistic director of orchestra studies and professor of violin at Roosevelt University. He was also a studio musician, playing jingles for radio and TV commercials. He retired in 2002.

He believed his support for unions held him back. “Because I was also active in reforming the musicians’ union and getting a reputation as a ‘trouble maker,’ the word also got around, ‘don’t hire Golan.’ So, as busy as things got for me, my career was also slowed down somewhat by those who wanted to keep union reform from happening.”

Golan died on June 27 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. A cause of death was not given. He had attended a CSO reunion earlier in the month.

He and his wife, Olga, lived in a one-bedroom unit in the west tower at Marina City. They had four children – Ari, Lawrence, Lara, and David.

Photo: Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra