Numerous Schoenberg scores destroyed by Los Angeles fires, letters and photographs held by the composer’s publisher have also been lost.

Jan 17, 2025 | News | 3 comments

3 Comments

Ian Bailey on January 20, 2025 at 1:38 pm

Hi Colin,

Happy New Year, albeit it’s not enhanced by such news. Inevitable I suppose given Schoenberg’s strong associations with the city.

I have emailed the archivist at the Schoenberg centre in Vienna for clarification (if she has it) and to inquire how much material, if any, may have been replicated and or copied, and is held in Austria. If I hear anything, I’ll update you.

Of course our first thoughts must be with the bereaved, the injured and the many who have lost homes, livelihoods and posessions. To say this is dreadful is a massive understatement.

However, to hear of the loss of these documents is particularly poignant, especially in the light of Schoenberg’s recent anniversary.
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Ian Bailey on January 20, 2025 at 2:34 pm

Hello again Colin,

The Schoenberg Centre have been very very prompt indeed (!) and sent me the following:-

“Dear Ian Bailey,

thank you for asking. The Schoenberg family suggested to point to a Los Angeles Times article which is based on interviews:

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-01-16/belmont-music-publishers-the-repository-of-iconic-composer-arnold-schoenberg-incinerated-in-palisades-fire

The archive of Belmont Music publishers, which was completely destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire, is being digitally reconstructed at the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna.

Greetings from Vienna
Therese Muxeneder”

Something positive out of an awful tragedy…in every sense….
Ian
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- canderson on January 21, 2025 at 6:26 am
  
  Thanks Ian for your initiative and the updates. Colin
  Reply