In April, Independent music company Wise Music Group acquired a controlling interest in Edition Peters Group, which is claimed to be “one of the world’s oldest” music publishing houses.
Following its acquisition of Edition Peters, Wise Music Group has now concluded what it says is a wide-ranging printed music agreement with UK-headquartered classical music publisher Faber Music.
The deal combines Faber Music’s acquisition of the Peters public domain and educational catalogues with exclusive worldwide representation of the Edition Peters copyright catalogue.
Faber confirms that Wise Music Group will continue to own the Edition Peters rights business.
The news follows Faber’s acquisition in April of UK-based publisher and composer agency Manners McDade in a “seven-figure share deal,” that included both the Manners McDade composer agency and publishing companies.
Faber Music says that it “will maintain the Edition Peters brand and ethos alongside its own printed music catalogue”.
It adds that it will support the Edition Peters catalogue of contemporary composers and composer estates “through a long-term, exclusive, worldwide print deal”.
The companies add that current sales, customer service and editorial arrangements in Germany will be maintained, and distribution channels through Alfred Music for North America and Faber Music Distribution for the UK, Europe and world outside North America will remain unchanged.
According to the companies, the Edition Peters “encompasses virtually all classical music repertoire from the 18th to the early 20th century”, including the copyright works of a host of North American and European classical composers.
As a print publisher, Faber Music is known for its work across educational, contemporary classical and “high-value pop and recreational” publications.
“We are delighted to have concluded this deal with Richard and his team, which consolidates and expands the long relationship between Edition Peters and Faber Music.”
Chris Butler, Wise Music Group
Chris Butler, Chairman of Edition Peters and WMG’s Director of Global Rights Development, said: “Our whole focus is upon the Edition Peters composers and building the company’s contemporary classical music catalogue within the Wise Music Group.
“As part of that we are delighted to have concluded this deal with Richard and his team, which consolidates and expands the long relationship between Edition Peters and Faber Music.”
“We are delighted with this deal, which demonstrates our continued commitment to both physical and digital printed music. We look forward to building on the strengths of both brands in the future.”
Richard King, Faber Music
Richard King, CEO of Faber Music, added: “As perhaps the most iconic and comprehensive classical printed music brand in the world, the Edition Peters catalogue fits perfectly with our own.
“We are delighted with this deal, which demonstrates our continued commitment to both physical and digital printed music. We look forward to building on the strengths of both brands in the future.”
Music Business Worldwide
