It’s been a busy week for Wise Music Group.
We reported on Thursday (January 9) that the company had sold its digital education unit to a New York-based private equity firm called Achievement Partner.
According to yesterday’s announcement, the move marks a “pivotal moment” as Wise Music Group “completes its transformation into a company focused on music publishing.”
Wise is now doubling down on this new focus with a new acquisition.
Smart people are buying Dobringer Music Publishersan Austrian classical music publisher. acquisition Dobringer Music Publishers These include what Wise calls Dobringer’s “extensive catalog of classical repertoire.”
Wise Music plans to maintain Doblinger’s presence in Vienna, which the company says will ensure “continuity for composers and clients while expanding international opportunities.”
The deal comes less than two years after the company acquired a controlling stake Peters Groupclaims to be one of the “oldest” music publishing houses in the world.
Wise Music Group Publishing houses and imprints also include Chester Music, G. Schirmer, Associated Music Publishers, Novello & Co, Éditions Alphonse Leduc, Première Music, Le Chant du Monde, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, Unión Musical Ediciones, Bosworth Music GmbH and Campbell Connelly.
Wise Music Group represents that it owns or controls 500,000 Copyright – includes what it claims is “the largest independent collection of historical and contemporary classical music in the world.” It also owns the rights to popular songs including “evergreen, jazz, reggae, blues, pop and rock.”
“This acquisition reaffirms our commitment to nurturing and promoting the best in classical and contemporary music around the world.”
Chris Butler, Wise Music Group
Chris Butler, director of global rights development at Wise Music Group, said of the acquisition: “We are delighted to welcome Doblinger to the Wise Music family.”
“For nearly 150 years, Dobringer has been a cornerstone of Austrian music publishing, with an outstanding catalog that includes the likes of Walter Kaufmann, Gottfried von Einem ), works by seminal composers such as Friedrich Cerha, Egon Wellesz and Joseph Beer, as well as Rainer Vibrant contemporary voices such as Bischof, Wolfram Wagner, Roland Batik, José Cura, Christoph Ehrenfel Christoph Ehrenfellner, Johanna Doderer, Tomasz Skweres and Tanja Elisa Glinsner.
“This acquisition reaffirms our commitment to nurturing and promoting the best classical and contemporary music around the world. We are also delighted that Peter Pany will continue to serve as an advisor in Vienna as we embark on a new journey.
“Joining forces with Wise Music Group marks an exciting new chapter for Doblinger Music Publishers.”
peter penney, doblin
Peter Pany, managing director of Doblinger, added: “The partnership with Wise Music Group marks an exciting new chapter for Doblinger music publishers.
Their global reach, deep expertise and passion for classical music align perfectly with our values. We look forward to working together to ensure that the music of our composers reaches new audiences and continues to inspire generations to come.
global music business