Historic Arnold Schoenberg Music Archive Destroyed in Pacific Palisades Fire

Historic Arnold Schoenberg Music Archive Destroyed in Pacific Palisades Fire

By Marcus Hartley

January 18, 2025 at 12:46 AM

The entire musical archive of Arnold Schoenberg has been destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fires, according to Belmont Music, the publisher dedicated to preserving and promoting the composer's works.

Portrait of composer Arnold Schoenberg

Portrait of composer Arnold Schoenberg

Belmont Music confirmed the devastating loss on their official website, stating they have lost their complete inventory of sales and rental materials. The publisher hopes to rebuild their collection in digital form and continues to maintain some digital scans of scores and performing materials.

Larry Schoenberg, the composer's son, released a statement through his nephew on Facebook describing the loss as "a profound cultural blow." The destroyed archive included manuscripts, original scores, and printed works spanning Schoenberg's entire compositional output, from early Romantic pieces to his revolutionary twelve-tone compositions.

The lost materials included foundational 20th-century classical works such as Verklärte Nacht and Pierrot Lunaire, which have been essential resources for musicians and scholars studying Schoenberg's innovative musical language.

Looking forward, Belmont Music has announced plans to digitize their complete collection of Schoenberg's works to ensure continued access for scholars, performers, and music enthusiasts. The publisher expressed gratitude for the community's support and remains committed to preserving Schoenberg's legacy through digital platforms.

Those seeking access to available digital materials are encouraged to contact Belmont Music directly to inquire about specific works.

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