Arnold Schoenberg musical archive lost in Pacific Palisades fire

Photo Credit: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The entire musical archive of Arnold Schoenberg was lost during the Pacific Palisades fires, confirms Belmont Music.

“Unfortunately, Belmont Music was a victim of the Pacific Palisades fire,” the publisher writes on its official website. “We have lost our full inventory of sales and rental materials. We hope that in the near future we will be able to ‘rise from the ashes’ in a completely digital form. [Belmont Music] will keep you posted on this website or you can send us an email and we will contact you.”

“There are some scores and performing materials for which we have digital scans. Please do contact us so that we can determine if we are able to fill your requests now by forwarding these digital scans. We will continue to respond to any questions regarding the life and works of Arnold Schoenberg.”

Arnold Schoenberg’s son, Larry Schoenberg, posted a press release via his nephew on Facebook to address the tragedy.

“In a heartbreaking turn of events, Belmont Music Publishers, the esteemed house exclusively dedicated to preserving and promoting the works of Arnold Schoenberg, has been tragically destroyed in the wake of the recent Pacific Palisades fire,” the press release begins. “A fixture in the music world since the 1970s, Belmont Music was the publisher and representative of Schoenberg’s iconic compositions, serving as a vital link between the composer’s visionary legacy and contemporary performers, scholars, and music lovers.”

“The entire inventory of sales and rental materials—comprising some manuscripts, original scores, and printed works—has been lost in the flames. For a company that focused exclusively on the works of Schoenberg, this loss represents not just a physical destruction of property but a profound cultural blow.”

Belmont Music’s catalog encompassed Schoenberg’s complete range of compositions, from his early Romantic works to his groundbreaking twelve-tone pieces. These works, including compositions like Verklärte Nacht and Pierrot Lunaire are foundational to the 20th-century classical repertoire. Belmont’s role in preserving and distributing these masterpieces was invaluable for musicians and scholar’s alike, who turned to the publisher for access to authentic, carefully edited editions of Schoenberg’s challenging but transformative music.

“The loss of these materials has been devastating not only to those who rely on the publisher for access to Schoenberg’s compositions but also to the broader musical community that respects and values the depth of Schoenberg’s contribution to music.”

In the coming months, Belmont plans to digitize its complete collection of Schoenberg’s works, providing access to scholars, performers, and music enthusiasts through online platforms. “We are committed to rebuilding and adapting to the changing times,” says the Belmont team. “The community’s outpouring of support has been truly heartening, and we know that with your help, we can ensure Schoenberg’s legacy lives in in a way that is as dynamic and enduring as his music.”