Breitkopf und Härtel
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Contents |
History
The firm was founded in 1719 in Leipzig by Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf, most likely on 24 January1. However, the firm did not publish music until later. In 1725, Breitkopf brought out a Hebrew Bible as their first major publication. Bernhard's son, Johann Gottlob Immanuel, "one of the most versatile figures in the history of German publishing and printing"1 brought the firm to greater prominence. He improved typeseting of music so that music could be printed in larger and more capable editions. Works published included those by Telemann, Leopold Mozart, Haydn, C.P.E. Bach, and Carl Stamitz. By the latter half of the 1700s, all major composers at least tried to have Breitkopf publish works.
The "Härtel" was added to the name when Gottfried Christoph Härtel took over the company in 1795, as Johann Gottlob's sons thought that they could not handle the firm. Härtel became the sole heir of Breitkopf. It was Härtel who first considered publishing complete works editions, publishing "Oevres completes" of Mozart, Haydn, Clementi, etc. Important publications followed: Messiah in 1803, Bach's Ein Feste Burg ist Unser Gott, BWV 80 in 1827, and numerous others, among which 25 Beethoven first editions. The esteemed Allegemeine musikalische Zeitung was, in fact, founded by Härtel.
Härtel's sons Raymund and Hermann took over by 1835, and proved more than equal to their father in farsightedness and business acumen. Hermann was friends with Mendelssohn and Schumann (both in Leipzig) and published the first edition of Schubert's C Major Symphony, D. 944 at Schumann's behest. Breitkopf und Härtel were the first to publish the operas of Meyerbeer, Cherubini, Donizetti, Bellini, Mehul, Marschner, and Auber. However, their most famous (and some would say greatest) achievement was in publishing the Gesamtausgaben (Complete Works Editions), starting in 1850 with Bach, and continuing to this day. The Härtel Brothers also published several important musicological texts at the same time.
Oskar van Hase and Wilhelm Volkmann, nephews of the Härtels took over next. It was Hase who initiated the "libraries" (Orchester-bibliothek, Kammermusik-Bibliothek, Volksausgabe, etc.). At the same time, the firm published Denkmäler deutscher Tonkunst, a "nationalistic," Teutonic "monument."
In 1807 Härtel began to manufacture pianos, an endeavor which lasted until 1870. The Breitkopf pianos were highly esteemed in the 19th century by pianists like Franz Liszt and Clara Schumann.
The catalogue currently contains over 1000 composers, 8000 works and 15,000 music editions or books on music.
The company has consistently supported contemporary composers and had close editorial collaboration with Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Sibelius, Busoni, D'Albert, Liszt, Wagner and Brahms. Currently in preparation are a new Complete Mendelssohn and a complete Sibelius.
Editions
Complete Works Editions (Gesamtausgaben)
BACH, J. S. - Johann Sebastian Bachs Werke. Herausgegeben von der Bach-Gesellschaft (Entirely on IMSLP)
- Multiple Editors
- Issued 1850-1899, 1926. 46 volumes plus supplement (1926).
- Wikipedia article
- Complete listing
BEETHOVEN - Ludwig van Beethovens Werke: vollständige kritisch durchgesehene überall berechtige Ausgabe
- Multiple Editors
- Issued 1862-1888. 25 Series; in 29 volumes
- Plates B.###
- Wikipedia article
BERLIOZ - Hector Berlioz Werke. Herausgegeben von Charles Malherbe und Felix Weingartner
- Issued 1900–1907, 20 volumes, subsequently expanded to 25 (final, but incomplete)
BRAHMS --- Brahms: Sämtliche Werke. Ausgabe der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien
Herausgegeben von Hans Gal und Eusebius Mandyczewski
- Issued 1926-1927, 26 volumes
CHOPIN - Fryderyk Franciszek Chopins Werke. Erste Kritische durchgesehene Gesamtausgabe
- Multiple Editors
- Issued 1878-1880, 1902. 14 volumes plus 1 supplement (1902)
CORNELIUS - Peter Cornelius Musikalisches Werke. Erste Gesamtausgabe in Auftrage seiner Familie
Herausgegeben von Max Hasse und Waldemar von Baussnern
- Issued 1905-1906. 5 volumes
GRÉTRY - Collection complète des Oeuvres de Grétry. Publiée par le Gouvernement Belge
- Issued 1884-1936. 49 volumes. (Joint publication with the Belgian Government.)
HANDEL - Georg Friedrich Händels Werke. Ausgabe der Deutschen Händelgesellschaft (Entirely on IMSLP)
Herausgegeben von Friedrich Chrysander.
- Issued 1858-1894, 1902. 96 volumes plus 6 supplements.
- (Breitkopf only published vols. 1-18, Chrysander published the remainder himself.)
- Reprint - Ridgewood, NJ: Gregg Press, 1965.
- Plates H.W.##
HAYDN - Joseph Haydns Werke. Erste kritische durchgesehene Gesamtausgabe.
Herausgegeben von Eusebius Mandyczewski (and others)
- Issued 1907-1933. 11 volumes (incomplete).
LISZT - Franz Liszt's Musikalische Werke. Herausgegeben von der Franz Liszt-Stiftung
- Multiple editors
- Issued 1907-1936. 34 volumes.
MENDELSSOHN - Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdys Werke. Kritische durchgesehene Ausgabe (Entirely on IMSLP)
Herausgegeben von Julius Rietz
- Issued 1874-1877. 19 Series in 34 volumes.
MOZART - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts Werke: Kritische Durchgesehene Gesamtausgabe
(Sometimes referred to as "Alte Mozart-Ausgabe")
- Multiple editors
- Issued 1877-1910
- Plates W.A.M. ### (Corresponds to the Köchel number)
- Wikipedia article
PALESTRINA - Opera omnia Ionnis Petraloysii Praenestini (Entirely on IMSLP)
- Issued 1862-1907 in 33 Volumes, edited by Franz Xaver Haberl, a.o.
REGER - Sämtliche Werke / Max Reger ; unter Mitarbeit des Max-Reger-Institutes (Elsa-Reger-Stiftung) Bonn
- Issued 1954-1984. 38 volumes (most are reprints of older publications)
- Plates M.R.1 - M.R.38
SCHUBERT - Franz Peter Schuberts Werke: Kritische Durchgesehene Gesamtausgabe
- Multiple editors
- Issued 1884-1897. 21 series in 33 volumes.
SCHUMANN - Robert Schumanns Werke (Entirely on IMSLP)
Herausgegeben von Clara Schumann und Johannes Brahms
- Issued 1879-1893.
SCHÜTZ - Heinrich Schütz Gesamtausgabe
Herausgegeben von Philipp Spitta
- Issued 1885-1894. 18 volumes
SWEELINCK - Werken van Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. Uitgegeven door de Vereeniging voor Noord-Nederlands Muziekgeschiedenis
- Issued 1894-1901
VICTORIA - Tomás Luis de Victoria - Opera Omnia
- Issued 1902-1913
Imprints, Agencies, Addresses
Imprints
- Breitkopf & Härtel
Addresses
Germany
- Leipzig: (1719-1943; 1992-present)
- Bauhofstrasse 3-5, D-04103 (1992-present)
- Taunusstein: (1984-present)
- Obere Waldstrasse 30, D-65232 (1984-present)
- Wiesbaden: (1945-present)
- Walkmühlstrasse 52, D-65195 (1969-present)
Belgium
- Brussels (1883-?)
England (UK)
- London - Breitkopf & Härtel, London (1890-?)
France
- Paris - Breitkopf & Härtel, Paris
- Farid Aïch, 22, rue Chauchat, F-75009
USA
- New York - Breitkopf & Härtel, New York (1891-ca.1925)
Current Addresses (2010)
- Germany - Breitkopf & Härtel KG, Buch- und Musikverlag
- Wiesbaden: Walkmühlstrasse 52, D-65195
- Taunusstein: Obere Waldstrasse 30, D-65232
- Leipzig: Bauhofstrasse 3-5, D-04103
- France - Breitkopf & Härtel, Paris
- Paris: Farid Aïch, 22, rue Chauchat, F-75009
Edition and Plate Numbers
Regular issues: Edition Breitkopf (1913-present)
Breitkopf seems to use its plate numbers in a chronological manner. Dates given in plain type have been confirmed in the Hoffmeister Monatsbericht, Fuld, or similar sources. Dates in parenthesis are estimated, those with an asterisk are copyright notice dates that were probably added after the fact as a "scarecrow."
Plate Ed. No. Composer Work Year 52 Hoffmeister Notturno No.4 for flute, 2 horns and string trio (1802) 168 Spohr Violin Concerto No.1, Op.1, violin and piano parts (1803) 222 Reicha Piano Trio, Op.47 (1805) 266 Danzi 3 String Quartets, Op.29 (1805) 1329 Beethoven Symphony No.5, Op.67 (orchestra parts), 1st edition 1809 1337 Beethoven Symphony No.6, Op.68 (orchestra parts), 1st edition 1809 1401 Mozart Die Zauberflöte (vocal score, German), arr. Michael Gotthard Fischer (1773-1829) 1809 1603 Beethoven Leonara Overture No.3 (orchestra parts), 1st edition 1810 2651 Dussek 3 Trio Sonatas, Op.2 (1813) 3439 Mozart Flauto Magico (vocal score, Italian), arr. Michael Gotthard Fischer (1773-1829) 1816 3609 Martin Nocturne, Op.8 (1818) 4302 Beethoven Symphony No.5, Op.67 (full score), 1st edition 1826 5644 Kalkbrenner Septet, Op.132 (1835) 5813 Schumann Carnaval, Op.9, 1st edition 1837 5908 Kalkbrenner Souvenir de 'Guido et Ginevra' de Halevy, Op.142 (1838) 6016 Schumann Kinderszenen, Op.15, 1st edition 1839 6320 Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.1 Op.49 (1840) 6899 Schumann Quintet, Op.44 (score and parts), 1st edition 1843 7219 Thalberg Décaméron. 10 Piano Pieces, Op.57 (1845) 7366 Thalberg Fantasia on Rossini's 'Barber of Seville', Op.63 1846 7562 Clara Schumann Piano Trio in G minor, Op.17 (1846) 7718 Chopin Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op.65 (1849) 8116 Mendelssohn String Quartet No.6, Op.80 1850 8336 Mendelssohn Symphony No.4, Op.90 "Italian" (orchestra parts), 1st edition 1851 8347 Mendelssohn Symphony No.4, Op.90 "Italian" (full score), 1st edition 1851 8411 Wagner Lohengrin (vocal score), 1st edition 1851 8853 Thalberg Florinda, Op.71 (1855) 9243 Gade Phantasiestücke, Op.31 (1857) 9933 Gade Frühlingsbotschaft, Op.35 (2-piano reduction), 1st edition 1859 9942 Wagner Tristan und Isolde (vocal score), 1st edition 1860 10000 Wagner Tristan und Isolde (full score), 1st edition 1860 10382 Bruch Klavierstücke, Op.14 (1861) 124-161 Beethoven Piano Sonatas (Vol.16 of Beethoven complete works, no editor specified) 1863 10668-76 Beethoven-Liszt Symphonies de Beethoven (piano arr.), 1st edition 1865 10722 Bargiel Suite No.2 for Piano, Op.31 (1865) 10923 Mozart Die Zauberflöte (full score, German), ed. Julius Rietz
apparently reprinted (with modifications?) for the "Gesamtausgabe"
(W.A.M. 620, xxvii+224 p., 1879)1870 11097 Hiller Gavotte, Courante, Sarabande, Op.115 (1867) 11665 Wagner-Liszt Isoldes Liebestod (piano arr.) (1871) 12303 Mozart Die Zauberflöte (vocal score, German), arr. August Horn (1825-1893) (1872) 12779 Chopin Nocturne Op.27 No.2 arr. for Violin & Piano (1873) 13100 Wagner Lohengrin (full score), 3rd edition 1873 13982 Thalberg Pianoforte-Werke zu zwei Händen Vol.3 14523 Röntgen Neckens Polka, Op.11 (1875) 418 Beethoven Piano Sonatas (ed. Carl Reinecke) 1878 15127 Mozart Mozart Horn Concerto No.4, K.495 (ed. Kling) (1881) 15374 Beliczay 3 Pieces in Hungarian Style, Op.22 (1881) 15653 Mozart Horn Concerto No.1, K.412 (ed. Kling) (1881) 15683 Beliczay Variations on a Hungarian Folk Song, Op.23 (1881) 15815 Beliczay Nocturno, Op.24 (1882) 15951 Rubinstein Viola Sonata, Op.49 (1882) 16069 Wagner Lohengrin (orchestra parts), 1st edition (1882) 16202 Beliczay Aquarellen, Op.26 (1883) 16206 MacDowell Zweite Moderne Suite, Op.14, 1st edition 1883 16506 MacDowell Piano Concerto No.1, Op.15 (2-piano reduction), 1st edition 1884 17023 Beliczay 3 Stammbuchblaetter, Op.31 (1884) 17897 Röntgen Phantasie, Op.24 (1885) 18418 Brucken Fock Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op.5 (1888) 18508 Beethoven Violin Concerto (arr. Reinecke) (1888) 18558 Gade String Quartet No.1, Op.63 (full score) (1889) 18683 MacDowell Piano Concerto No.2, Op.23 (2-piano reduction), 1st edition 1890 18866 Scharwenka, X. Neuer Romanzero, Op.64 1895* 19356 Zemlinsky Ländliche Tänze, Op.1 (piano), 1st edition 1891 19563 Wagner Tristan und Isolde (orchestra parts), 1st edition 1892 19801 MacDowell Piano Sonata No.1, Op.45 "Sonata Tragica", 1st edition 1893 20952 Litzau Complete Organ Works 1895 20341 MacDowell Eight Songs, Op.47, 1st edition 1893 20778 Boccherini Cello Concerto No.1, ed. Grutzmacher (1895) 21511 Scharwenka, X. Valse-Impromptu, Op.76, No.2 1896 21550 Weber Concertino, Op.26, (piano red.), ed. Gunter Hausswald (1897) 21777 3479 Bach BWV 1068: Transcription for piano solo 1897 21880 3477 Bach BWV 1066: Transcription for piano solo 1897 21919 3478 Bach BWV 1067: Transcription for piano solo 1898 23939 Liszt Dante Symphony, S.109 - Stradal transc. 1902 24556 Sinigaglia Rapsodia piemontese, Op.26 1904 24627 Grieg Violin Sonata No.2, Op.13, Mvt. Transcribed for Solo Piano 1904 24913 MacDowell Suite No.2, Op.48 "Indian" (piano 4-hand arr. by Otto Taubmann), 1st edition 1905 25033 Sinigaglia Zwei Stücke für Horn und Klavier, Op.28 1905 25769 Pitt 2 Pieces, Op.45 1907 27268 Volkmann Cello Concerto, Op.33 1914 27461 4215 Bach Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (ed. Busoni) 1915 28526 Henselt Wiegenlied, Op.45 (1916) 28726-27 Beethoven Piano Sonatas, ed. Lamond 1923* 29023 5238 Busoni Transcription of Liszt's Paganini Etude No.1 1923 or 1924 29024 5239 Busoni Transcription of Liszt's Paganini Etude No.5 1923 or 1924 29600 Machaut Balladen 1926 29620 Böhm Complete Works for Organ and Harpsichord (1927) 30164 3419 Reger Blätter und Blüten 1910 30165 3420 Reger Romanze für Violine und Klavier in G-Dur 3491 Busoni Fantasia Contrappuntistica 8561 Mussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain - piano transcription by Chernov 1989
Note: Dates of publication for plates 29023 and 29024 are from Dent, Edward J. (1933).Ferruccio Busoni: A Biography. London: Oxford University Press, p. 350.
Series
Volksausgabe (1876-1913)
Plate Composer Work Year V.A. 113 Beethoven Beethoven's Concerte für Pianoforte und Orchester (arr. piano 4-hands) V.A. 129 Bargiel Pianoforte-Werke zu zwei Händen V.A. 208 Mozart Die Zauberflöte (vocal score, German), arr. August Horn (1825-1893) 1876 V.A. 324 Thalberg Fantasia on Rossini's 'Moses' V.A. 446 Heller Caprice Brillant, Op.38 / Divertissement Brillant, Op.13 V.A. 453 Rubinstein Pianoforte-Werke zu zwei Händen V.A. 513 Scharwenka, X. Ballade, Op.8 / 2 Erzählungen, Op.5 V.A. 541 Liszt Les Préludes, Poème symphonique No.3 (piano arr.) V.A. 803 Joachim Hebräische Melodien, Op.9 1888 V.A. 933 Rubinstein Violin Sonata No.2, Op.19 V.A. 1208 Scharwenka, P. P. Scharwenka Piano Works, Band III: Instruktive Stücke V.A. 1330 Henselt Sammlung auserlesener Werke für das Pianoforte V.A. 1361 Brüll 2 Pieces for Piano, Op.47/Bretonische Melodien, Op.45 V.A. 1509 Schumann Violin Sonata No.2 (arr. Grützmacher) V.A. 1655 MacDowell Eight Songs, Op.47, revised edition 1906 V.A. 2224 Sibelius Valse Triste, Piano Transcription 1904 V.A. 2340 Reinecke La Belle Griseldis (1900) V.A. 2383 Elgar Serenade for String Orchestra, Op.20 1893 V.A. 2415 Sibelius Finlandia, Piano Transcription 1905 V.A. 2459 Busoni Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr - Piano Transcription V.A. 2529 Sibelius 10 Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op.24 V.A. 2787 Sibelius Musik zu einer Szene, Op.45 No.2 pno arr 1904 V.A. 2861 Busoni Piano Concerto, Op.39, arr. 2 pianos by Egon Petri 1909 V.A. 3001 Sinding Fatum Variations, Op.94 1909 V.A. 3237 Scalero Sonata for Piano and Violin, Op.12 1910 V.A. 3295 - 3299 Sinding 5 Tonbilder, Op.103 1910 V.A. 3310 - 3313 Sinding 4 Ballads and Songs, Op.107 1911 V.A. 3375 MacDowell Suite No.2, Op.48 "Indian" (piano arr. by Otto Taubmann), 1st edition 1910 V.A. 3627 Chopin Polonaises Op.26 vn+pno arr. V.A. 3670 Scharwenka, X. Romanzero, Op.59 1905 V.A. 3991 - 3993 Sinding 3 Intermezzi, Op.116 1919
Orchester-Bibliothek (ca.1890-present)
- Orch.-B. 392/393. MacDowell: Piano Concerto No.2, Op.23 (orchestra parts), 1st edition, 1902.
- Orch.-B. 1121/22. MacDowell: Suite No.2, Op.48 "Indian" (orchestra parts), 1st edition, 1897.
Partitur-Bibliothek (ca.1890-present)
- Part.-B. 955. MacDowell: Suite No.2, Op.48 "Indian" (full score), 1st edition, 1897.
- Part.-B. 1784. Sibelius: Symphony No.2 (full score), 1st edition, 1903.
- Part.-B. 2156. MacDowell: Piano Concerto No.1, Op.15 (full score), 1st edition, 1911.
- Part.-B. 3842. Boccherini: Cello Concerto, arr. Friedrich Grützmacher (1832-1903), ca.1920
Kammermusik-Bibliothek
- K.M.300-303. Bruch: String Quartet No.1, Op.9
Sources Consulted
- 1. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, edited by Stanley Sadie.
- New York and London: Macmillan Publications, 1980.
- 2. Wikipedia, "Breitkopf & Härtel." November 6, 2006.
- 3. "History of Breitkopf & Härtel." (accessed March 5, 2010).
