Marius Casadesus

Who was Marius Casadesus?

Marius Casadesus was a French violinist and composer. He was the brother of Henri Casadesus, uncle of the famed pianist Robert Casadesus, and grand-uncle to Jean Casadesus.

Marius Casadesus achieved perhaps his greatest fame through his association with the so-called "Adélaïde Concerto" attributed to Mozart. This concerto was published in 1933 in a piano transcription under Mozart's name, with Casadesus as "editor." Many music scholars believed in its authenticity, and Yehudi Menuhin made a recording of the concerto. It was even given a place in the Köchel-Verzeichnis, albeit as "K. Anh. 294a." However, Mozart collector Alfred Einstein's doubts about this piece were confirmed when Casadesus later admitted his authorship in court in 1977 during a copyright dispute.

Casadesus' brother Henri was also a noted author of musical hoaxes, such as "Handel's Viola concerto in b-minor" and "J.C. Bach's Viola Concerto in c-minor."

Casadesus is also known for having given the first recital of Ravel's "Tzigane" in the presence of the composer in Barcelona.