Barry Socher, a Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist for 35 years who had performed at the Ojai Music Festival, has died at 68.

The philharmonic said the recently retired Socher died Saturday after a battle with cancer.

Philharmonic Musical Director Gustavo Dudamel dedicated Sunday's Walt Disney Concert Hall matinee to him.

Socher had also been concertmaster for the Los Angeles Master Chorale Orchestra, Pasadena Pops Orchestra, Fresno Philharmonic and the Ojai Music Festival and Oregon Bach Festival orchestras.

He founded the Armadillo String Quartet, which performed at the Ojai festival, taught at Idyllwild School of Music and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, and served on the faculties of Pomona College and the University of Southern California.

A successful composer as well, his "FinTango" was performed by the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl last year at his final concert with the orchestra.