He is a violinist born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who first learnt to play the violin with his uncle and while in high school he received a scholarship to study at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. After high school graduation he was awarded a Board of Education scholarship for 4 years and studied violin and chamber music at the Juilliard School.
After he graduated from Juilliard School he went in to military service with the US Army Band in Washington DC. for three years from 1958 to 1961 with whom he was played in several radio broadcasts.
Once he was back in civilian life after an honourable discharge he became a First Violin with the National Symphony. After staying with them for three years, from 1961 to 1964, he became a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1964, where his brother Joseph also played. Joseph passed away in May 2006.
His late wife Joan who was a pianist and singer often accompanied him when he appeared as a soloist and later their children, the singer and violinist Lou and the pianist and singer Cara, joined them in the ensemble Lanza Family Presents.. Other orchestras performed with are the Amerita Chamber Orchestra, the Trenton Symphony and as the Principal Second Violin of the Reading Symphony.
Recordings he can be heard on include Evita by Festival, Peter Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 “Pathetique”/Dumka by The Philadelphia Orchestra, Broadway Showstoppers: Now That’s Entertainment by Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and Masquerade by Pinnochio,
After 47 years of performing with The Philadelphia Orchestra he retired in 2011.
Sources:
- https://slippedisc.com/2011/09/after-47-years-philadelphia-orchestra-violinist-hangs-up-his-bow/
- https://southphillyreview.com/2003/07/25/theyre-with-the-band/
- https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-lanza&pid=17869076
- https://www.stokowski.org/Philadelphia_Orchestra_Musicians_List.htm
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/1541663-Louis-Lanza
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/louis-lanza-mn0003076533