Historic Arnold Schoenberg Musical Archive Destroyed in Pacific Palisades Fire
The entire musical archive of Arnold Schoenberg has been destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fires, as confirmed by Belmont Music Publishers.
Portrait of composer Arnold Schoenberg
Belmont Music, the exclusive publisher of Schoenberg's works since the 1970s, lost their complete inventory of sales and rental materials in the fire. This includes valuable manuscripts, original scores, and printed works of the renowned composer.
The publisher currently maintains digital scans of some scores and performing materials, and is working to assist customers with urgent requests through these digital copies. They can be contacted directly to determine availability of specific works.
The lost archive contained Schoenberg's complete compositional range, from his early Romantic works to his revolutionary twelve-tone pieces, including seminal works like Verklärte Nacht and Pierrot Lunaire. These materials were essential resources for musicians, scholars, and performers worldwide.
Larry Schoenberg, the composer's son, acknowledged the devastating impact on the musical community through a press release shared by his nephew on Facebook. The loss represents not only a physical destruction of property but a significant cultural setback.
Moving forward, Belmont Music plans to rebuild their collection in digital format. The publisher has committed to creating a comprehensive online platform that will provide access to Schoenberg's works for scholars, performers, and music enthusiasts, ensuring the composer's legacy continues in a modern, accessible format.
The public can stay updated on the reconstruction efforts through Belmont Music's website or by joining their email list for direct communications regarding the availability of materials.