Los Angeles fires destroy historic Belmont Music Publisher, threatening Arnold Schoenberg's legacy
Since January 8, 2025, wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles, resulting in fatalities and destruction in areas such as Pasadena, Altadena, San Fernando Valley, and Tamarack. The most significant fire, known as the Pacific Palisades fire, poses a threat to the Getty Center, which has been evacuated until January 16. Additionally, Belmont Music Publisher, honoring Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg (Vienna, 1874 – Los Angeles, 1951), has suffered extensive damage. A pioneer of early 20th-century music, Schoenberg is known for creating the twelve-tone technique and had interactions with Wassily Kandinsky. Belmont expressed, "Having lost all our sales and rental catalog, we are determined to continue our mission," and has received substantial support from the music community to reconstruct its catalog digitally.
Key facts
- Wildfires in Los Angeles started on January 8, 2025.
- Areas affected include Pasadena, Altadena, San Fernando Valley, Tamarack, and Pacific Palisades.
- The Pacific Palisades fire is the largest of four active fires.
- The fire threatens the Getty Center, which is evacuated and closed until January 16.
- Belmont Music Publisher, dedicated to Arnold Schoenberg's works, was destroyed.
- Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951) was an Austrian composer who developed the twelve-tone technique.
- Schoenberg also painted and was contacted by Wassily Kandinsky to exhibit with Der Blaue Reiter.
- Belmont Music Publisher plans to rebuild its catalog in a digital format.
Entities
Artists
- Arnold Schoenberg
- Wassily Kandinsky
Institutions
- Belmont Music Publisher
- Getty Center
- Der Blaue Reiter
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Pasadena
- Altadena
- San Fernando Valley
- Tamarack
- Pacific Palisades
- Bentwood
- Vienna