Ottilie Sutro, American pianist (d. 1970)

Rose Sutro (15 September 1870 – 11 January 1957) and Ottilie Sutro (4 January 1872 – 12 September 1970) were American sisters who achieved notable prominence as one of the earliest widely recognized and celebrated duo-piano teams. Their performances significantly contributed to the popularization of this musical format in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While it was often claimed that they were the very first duo-piano team, historical records indicate that they were in fact preceded by almost 30 years by the Austrian brothers Willi and Louis Thern, who began performing together in the 1840s.

Beyond their musical accomplishments, the Sutro sisters were also notoriously known as calculating confidence tricksters. They repeatedly exploited the trusting nature of the esteemed German Romantic composer Max Bruch (1838–1920) through a series of deceptive acts. Their schemes involved not only distorting his original compositions but also outright theft of his invaluable manuscripts.

The Exploitation of Max Bruch: A Two-Part Deception

The Sutro sisters' betrayal of Max Bruch manifested primarily in two significant ways:

• Unauthorized Alterations and Publication of His Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in A-flat minor, Op. 88: Bruch composed this concerto specifically for the Sutro sisters in 1912. However, after receiving the score, the sisters took egregious liberties, making extensive and unauthorized changes to the composition. They re-orchestrated sections, rewrote passages, and fundamentally altered Bruch's artistic intentions to suit their own performance preferences, effectively distorting his original work. Despite Bruch's profound dismay and public protests, they proceeded to publish this altered version and performed it widely, leading to considerable distress for the aging composer who felt deeply betrayed by their actions.
• The Theft of the Autograph Copy of His Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26: The most egregious act of deception involved the irreplaceable autograph manuscript of one of Bruch's most beloved and iconic works, his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor. Bruch, out of trust, had lent this invaluable original handwritten score to the Sutro sisters for study purposes. Instead of returning it, they absconded with the manuscript. An autograph copy, penned by the composer himself, holds immense historical, artistic, and monetary value, offering unique insights into the creative process. The Sutro sisters held onto this stolen treasure for decades, finally selling it in 1949 to the American collector Mary Flagler Cary. Max Bruch, who passed away in 1920, never saw his precious manuscript again. Today, this vital historical document is housed within the prestigious Mary Flagler Cary Music Collection at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City.

The Sutro sisters, Rose and Ottilie, thus left behind a complex and contradictory legacy: pioneers who contributed to the advancement of duo-piano performance, yet also infamous figures who exploited a renowned composer and appropriated invaluable pieces of musical heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sutro Sisters

Who were Rose and Ottilie Sutro?

Rose Sutro (1870–1957) and Ottilie Sutro (1872–1970) were American sisters celebrated as one of the first widely recognized and influential duo-piano teams in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were also notoriously known for their confidence trickery, particularly involving composer Max Bruch.

Were the Sutro sisters truly the first duo-piano team?

No, while often claimed to be the first, the Austrian brothers Willi and Louis Thern predated the Sutro sisters by nearly 30 years, beginning their duo-piano performances in the 1840s.

How did the Sutro sisters swindle Max Bruch?

The Sutro sisters swindled Max Bruch in two primary ways: first, by making unauthorized and extensive alterations to his Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra and then publishing and performing their modified version against his wishes; and second, by stealing the autograph (handwritten) manuscript of his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor after he had lent it to them.

What happened to Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 manuscript?

The Sutro sisters absconded with Max Bruch's autograph manuscript of his Violin Concerto No. 1 and never returned it. They eventually sold it in 1949 to collector Mary Flagler Cary. Today, this invaluable historical document is preserved in the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York City as part of the Mary Flagler Cary Music Collection.