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Date: | Fri, 29 Mar 2002 16:13:12 -0800 |
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A friend writes, asking for more information. Please write to me directly
if you don't wish to post a public reply.
In researching program notes for an upcoming concert, I've come
across this interesting case of musical forgery. Three French
composer-performer brothers, Francis, Henri and Marius Casadesus,
all had a hand in unearthing previously unknown pieces by 18th century
composers. But it now appears that they wrote the pieces themselves.
Henri (1879-1947), a friend of Saint Saens, seems to have been
responsible for the "J C Bach" Viola Concerto in C Minor, and for
the "Handel" Viola Concerto in B Minor (which would be just about
the earliest solo viola concerto in existence if it were real).
Marius (1892-1981) "discovered" the Adeleide Violin Concerto in 1931,
saying it was Mozart's first, and written in 1766 for Adeleide,
daughter of Louis XV in France.
On the amazingly comprehensive Casadesus family website
http://www.casadesus.com/english/famille/Marius_F.html
it says that in 1977 Marius admitted writing it himself. But there
seems to have been general doubt about its authenticity at least 20
years before.
The Casadesus brothers were highly respected, and did a great deal
to revive interest in 18th century music and instruments. The Boston
Symphony Orchestra now owns Henri's collection of rare instruments.
The forgeries were well received, with soloists such as Yehudi Menuhin
and William Primrose apparently convinced by them.
Does anyone know of any further background? There seems to be very
little information about all of this. The New Grove documents it
briefly within its Casadesus and Viola entries. But apart from the
Marius "confession" I can't find any real facts. I'd love to know
more of the story if any other documentation exists. When did the
JC Bach and Handel examples first come to light? And are there any
comparable cases?
Janos Gereben/SF
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