Max Richter signs to newly-launched Decca Publishing

26 April 2017 - Press release

One of the world's most in-demand composers signs to newly-launched Decca Publishing 

 

Max Richter, one of today's leading composers, has signed a long-term, global publishing deal with the newly-launched Decca Publishing.  As Decca Publishing's first signing, this deal marks the start of a major new partnership, which aims to further widen the appeal of this trailblazing artist through creative and commercial opportunities.

Max Richter's prolific output can be heard in Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island, Ari Folman's award-winning Waltz with Bashir, Oscar-winning sci-fi film Arrival, plus Charlie Brooker's TV show Black Mirror, Tom Hardy's BBC drama Taboo and HBO's The Leftovers. Richter has also composed for theatre productions including Alan Cumming's triumphant solo version of Macbeth on Broadway, art collaborations with photographer Darren Almond at the White Cube, and multiple ballet projects with resident Royal Ballet choreographer Wayne McGregor.

Under the leadership of Natasha Baldwin, Head of Decca Publishing, the new division will work closely with Universal Music Publishing Classical, one of the largest and most respected publishing groups of classical music in the world.

Richter's signing will also complement his recording projects on Universal Music's Deutsche Grammophon label – recent releases include his groundbreaking 8½ hour long SLEEP album, which has sold over 100,000 copies, and his hugely successful new album, Three Worlds: music from Woolf Works.

Max Richter says: "I liked the idea of being the first signing to Decca Music Publishing, as we agreed to take a fresh outlook on how we approach music publishing together, at a time when the rules are changing as to how music can engage with the multidimensional creative landscape of today."

David Joseph, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music UK, comments: "Max Richter is one of the most important composers working today and we are looking forward to bringing his remarkable music to a wider audience with this ambitious new collaboration."

Natasha Baldwin, Head of Decca Publishing, adds: "I'm incredibly proud to be working with Max Richter as the first signing to our new publishing division. He is spearheading a new generation of composers in a genre of music that is expanding in global popularity at a phenomenal pace. It's an exciting time for neo-classical music and I feel privileged to be working at the forefront of this movement with such a visionary composer as Max."

Decca Publishing will work with Universal Music Publishing Classical on appropriate projects and synchronisation opportunities involving their respective composers and repertoire. The new division will also enhance Universal Music UK's other recent soundtrack composer initiatives, such as Globe Soundtrack and Score, a label services offering for film makers and composers launched in conjunction with Abbey Road Studios.

Hailed as the most influential composer of his generation, electro-acoustic polymath Max Richter blends a formal classical training (he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, and was a pupil of renowned composer Luciano Berio) with modern technology. His unique and distinctive brand of heartbroken melodicism bridges the minimalist greats with cutting-edge electronics and the contemporary digital music production multiverse.

Over the years, Richter has become best known for his genre-defining and highly influential solo albums which have given rise to and are seen as "landmarks" (The Independent, Pitchfork) of the ever burgeoning neo-classical movement, but his monumental collaborative output also encompasses concert music, operas, ballets, art and video installations, and multiple film, theatre and television scores.

Max Richter's recent projects include composing music for BBC1 drama Taboo, HBO's The Leftovers, and new TV series Guerilla, as well as upcoming films The Sense of an Ending, Miss Sloane and Hostiles. He will be performing Three Worlds: music from Woolf Works live for the first time as part of the Nocturne concert series at Blenheim Palace on June 16^th, plus he'll giving more performances of his ground-breaking 8-hour overnight piece SLEEP later this year.