Breitkopf & Hartel

Annekathrin Mascus served as the Head of Sales for Breitkopf & Härtel, the oldest currently operating music publishing house. The company began in 1719 by Bernhard Breitkopf in Leipzig, Germany. Over the years the company has played a large role in the growth and development of print music, often the origin of innovations in printing and distribution. The company's catalog includes Beethoven, Schumann, Haydn, Chopin and a few others you may have heard of, Liszt, Brahms and Wagner!

Gottfried Möckel recounted the effects World War II had on the German music publishing industry during his NAMM interview. Even after the war, products made by German companies were not selling around the world or even in Europe. He witnessed first hand the changes in Germany over 60 years and was pleased to see many German contemporary composers of the 1940s and ‘50s gaining their well-deserved recognition. Gottfried worked along side Mrs. Sievers, Breitkopf & Hartel president, in bringing the company into the 21st Century.

Dr. Frank Reinisch spoke of one of the world’s oldest music publisher, Breitkopf & Haertel. The company was established in 1719 at the very dawn of the industry. The company’s roster of composers reads like a who’s who of classical music. Its list of innovation and practices not only revolutionized the way lead tablets were created, but revolutionized the industry by pioneering catalog printing. He developed two and four tone colors as well as musical typewriters and computer software for musical notation. 

Lieselotte Sievers is the granddaughter of Mr. Breitkopf of the famous Breitkopf & Hartel music publishing company in Wiesbaden, Germany. The historic publisher is known around the world for composers such as Bach, yet Mrs. Sievers is equally proud of the contemporary composers the company has published over the last 50 years. Her attention to the company’s past and her vision for the future have been a strong part of the company’s success; however she would be quick to point out that her employees’ pride and dedication are also key elements to their success.