In this book former managing director of Universal Edition’s stage department Hans W. Heinsheimer describes the beginnings of the music publishing house and its rise to the leading publisher for new music under director Emil Hertzka. It comprises “the first 37 ½ years” until the annexation of Austria in March 1938, with the last chapters in the form of drafts. Alongside Hertzka, Heinsheimer was involved in the growing success of the “UE” by proving an enormous skill for his profession (e.g. the development of new markets). He describes a time when the significance of a music publisher changed not to be solely responsible for printing and distribution but also to act as a rights administrator in view of the emerging new media.

In an illustrative manner, Heinsheimer talks about encounters and collaboration with composers such as Schönberg, Berg, Krenek, Schreker, Janácek and many others while capturing the atmosphere of that particular time. In addition, Christopher Hailey provides information on the chronicles’ making and on Hans W. Heinsheimer himself.

Take a look behind the scenes of Universal Edition and the music history of the early 20th century.

This book is only available in German.

Vorwort - Die Chronik der Universal Edition · Vorwort - Michael Haas: Die Geschichte der Musik im 20. Jahrhundert · Hans W. Heinsheimer: Diese Schrift (Einleitung des Autors, 1975) · Hans W. Heinsheimer: UE - Die ersten 37 1/2 Jahre - Eine Chronik des Verlags · Hans W. Heinsheimer: Skizze für den Rest des Buches · Hans W. Heinsheimer: Gedanken über ein Buch zum 75. Jubiläum der UE · Hans W. Heinsheimer: Emil Hertzka · Hans W. Heinsheimer: Brief an Egon Wellesz · Anhang 1: Alban Berg: Gedenkrede auf Emil Hertzka · Anhang 2: Emil Hertzka Gedächtnisstiftung · Anhang 3: Christopher Hailey: Hans W. Heinsheimer und seine Chronik · Literaturverzeichnis · Namensindex · Bildnachweis · Farbtafeln