As regular readers of the Clog and fans of the Clark/Center’s chamber music series may already know, Mr. Clark was the founder of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  Founded in 1919 as a competitor to the Los Angeles Symphony (which Clark did not like), the Phil quickly stole that other orchestra’s thunder and sent it out of business.  In honor of his generosity, the city wanted to erect a statue of Clark, but he preferred his favorite composer, Beethoven, be the subject of the statue instead.  The statue by Arnold Foerster was unveiled on October 14, 1932 and is located in Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles.

When the Clark’s technical services department was downtown for lunch this week (celebrating the end of most of its volunteers’ tenures), they also took a field trip to visit Mr. Clark’s Beethoven statue. Relegated to a corner of the park along with multiple war memorial monuments, a security guard had to point them in the right direction.

Thanks, ladies, for all your hard work!  We will miss you!