Universal Music Group’s Global Classical & Jazz (GCJ) division has promoted Dr. Clemens Trautmann to President of Deutsche Grammophon and New Business Strategy.
In this expanded role, Trautmann will be responsible for “pursuing opportunities across UMG’s classical label and artist roster,” according to UMG.
Universal said the strategic appointment was designed to strengthen its position in classical music and “foster broader collaboration across markets to identify ways to attract new audiences and open new commercial avenues”.
Trautmann, a Juilliard-trained clarinetist and digital media executive, has been president of Deutsche Grammophon for the past nine years.
Over the past nine years he has collaborated with artists such as Daniel Barenboim, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Lang Lang, Hilary Hahn, Max Richter and John Williams.
He also oversaw the signing of artists such as Víkingur Ólafsson, Joe Hisaishi, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Seong-Jin Cho, Yannick Nézet-Séguin and María Dueñas, as well as a series of projects with Moby and ABBA’s Benny Andersson.
Trautmann was also responsible for the creation of STAGE+ (the group’s global live and on-demand classical music platform), the Max Richter Sleep app, the acquisition of multiple independent audio and video catalogs, long-term brand partnerships with Google and Volkswagen and its live performance series Yellow Lounge expands to Asia.
Under his leadership, Deutsche Grammophon’s recordings have won 13 Grammy Awards to date.
Clemens Trautmann’s promotion to the new role follows news this week that Universal Music Group’s global classics and jazz division has also hired Natasha Baldwin Baldwin has been promoted to the newly created leadership position of President, Worldwide Classics, Jazz and Film and Television.
UMG said the title reflects Baldwin’s “unique” dual identity: she will continue to work at Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), where she currently serves as executive vice president of classical and screen, leading UMPG’s global classical and screen composers business.
She will also take on greater responsibilities for GCJ’s classical and jazz labels, including Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Blue Note, Verve, Hyperion and extracellular matrix.
“Clemens has an entrepreneurial spirit in the classical field, and I am delighted that he will take on this unique new role.”
Dickensteiner, UMG
Dickon Stainer, Global Chairman of Classical and Jazz, said: “Clemens has an entrepreneurial spirit in the classical music field and I am delighted that he will take on this unique new role.
“His proven track record and passion for innovation will help bring more opportunities to UMG’s classical artists and labels around the world.”
“I congratulate Clemens on his well-deserved expanded global role.”
Frank Briegmann, Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon
Frank Briegmann, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon, added: “Clemens Trautmann’s performance as an award-winning Juilliard A conservatoire graduate and passionate clarinetist, his understanding of artists and a business acumen shaped by a law degree are a unique combination of skills.
“In addition to his leadership role at the helm of the world’s most renowned classical music label, his appointment with expanded global responsibilities will enable us to deliver even more entrepreneurial ideas and concepts to artists around the world. I congratulate Clemens on his well-deserved expanded global role.
“I am passionate about the growing genre of classical music and creating ambitious opportunities for our community of outstanding artists.”
PhD. Clemens Trautmann
Dr. Clemens Trautmann said: “Together with my colleagues at Deutsche Grammophon and Global Classics, I am passionately committed to the growing genre of classical music and to creating ambitious projects for our community of outstanding artists. opportunities to realize synergies between recorded music, publishing and our partners in the live performance space, and leverage technology to deliver the most impressive and lasting musical experiences.global music business
