Wise Music Group takes controlling stake in Edition Peters

Music publishing company Wise Music Group has announced the acquisition of a controlling interest in the prestigious Edition Peters Group from the Hinrichsen Foundation. Wise Music Group will own Edition Peters in partnership with Christian Hinrichsen, whose family association with the company dates back to 1863.

Founded in 1800 in Leipzig, Edition Peters is one of the oldest and most distinguished music publishing houses in the world. In the 19th century, the company was associated with some of the most famous classical composers such as Beethoven, Bach, Schumann, and Mendelssohn. Today, the company’s rich and diverse catalogue of contemporary composers includes Rebecca Saunders, Tyshawn Sorey, and Errollyn Wallen.

Following the acquisition, Edition Peters Group will retain its individual identity within Wise Music Group, alongside Chester Music, G. Schirmer, Associated Music Publishers, Novello & Co, Éditions Alphonse Leduc, Première Music, Le Chant du Monde, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, Unión Musical Ediciones, and Bosworth Music GmbH.

Chris Butler, Wise Music Group’s Director of Global Rights Development and new chairman of Edition Peters Group, said that the acquisition underlines Wise Music Group’s commitment to the classical genre and reinforces the group’s long record of investment worldwide. Hinrichsen Foundation Chairman Tim Berg said that this acquisition creates an opportunity to support contemporary music performance within the UK, particularly at this time of significant change.

Christian Hinrichsen also expressed his enthusiasm for the natural union of two companies with proven track records in the specialist area of contemporary classical music publishing. The acquisition will provide Edition Peters Group with new opportunities to develop its unique catalogue as a member of Wise Music Group’s international family of music publishers.