Bruch's quartet and Rheinberger's Kyrie rediscovered
A Frankfurt musicologist has discovered a string quartet by Max Bruch and a youthful work by Josef Rheinberger in the archives of the Frankfurt Mozart Foundation that was thought to be lost.
Musicologist Ulrike Kienzle conducted research for a commemorative publication as part of the Foundation's 175th anniversary celebrations. The quartet with which Bruch applied for a scholarship as a 14-year-old was found in his application documents.
Kienzle also discovered a Kyrie among letters and testimonials in the composer's handwriting in application documents from 1851 belonging to the Liechtenstein composer Josef Rheinberger.
Founded in Frankfurt am Main in 1838, the Mozart Foundation is dedicated to supporting young composers. In its historical beginnings, the scholarship holders included Max Bruch, Engelbert Humperdinck, Ludwig Thuille and Ernst Toch. Support is provided in the form of monthly scholarships, occasionally also through performances of works by the scholarship holders.