Artaria
Encyclopedia
Artaria and company was one of the most important music publishing firms of the late 18th and 19th century. Founded in the 18th century in Vienna
, the company is associated with many leading names of the classical era.
, then the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Originally a specialty publisher of maps, the company had expanded its business to include music by the mid 1770s. Its most important early collaboration was with the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn
, who published more than 300 works through Artaria, including many of the composer's string quartets (such as the Opus 33
), which were a popular seller. The value of Haydn's works helped push Artaria to the top of the music publishing world in the late 18th century.
This important relationship helped Artaria secure the rights to the works of other important classical composers such as Luigi Boccherini
and, most notably, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
.
During his lifetime, Artaria was Mozart's principal publisher, although after his death this passed to the German house of Breitkopf & Härtel
. Artaria also published several early works of Ludwig van Beethoven
, until a bitter dispute in 1801/02 over the publishing rights of Beethoven's String Quintet
Op. 29 which culminated in a court case ended further collaboration.
The dispute with Beethoven highlights the role the company played in helping determine early copyright
laws. Voluminous correspondence is extant between Artaria and its clients regarding ownership and royalty of editions as well as piracy concerns.
Artaria continued to be a leading publisher through the 19th century, until it finally ceased its music publication business in the twentieth century.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, the company is associated with many leading names of the classical era.
History
Artaria and company was founded by the eponymous Carlo Artaria in 1765 in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, then the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Originally a specialty publisher of maps, the company had expanded its business to include music by the mid 1770s. Its most important early collaboration was with the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
, who published more than 300 works through Artaria, including many of the composer's string quartets (such as the Opus 33
String Quartets, Op. 33 (Haydn)
The Op. 33 String Quartets were written by Joseph Haydn in the summer and Autumn of 1781 for the Viennese publisher Artaria. This set of quartets has several nicknames, the most common of which is the "Russian" quartets, because Haydn dedicated the quartets to the Grand Duke Paul of Russia and...
), which were a popular seller. The value of Haydn's works helped push Artaria to the top of the music publishing world in the late 18th century.
This important relationship helped Artaria secure the rights to the works of other important classical composers such as Luigi Boccherini
Luigi Boccherini
Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini was an Italian classical era composer and cellist whose music retained a courtly and galante style while he matured somewhat apart from the major European musical centers. Boccherini is most widely known for one particular minuet from his String Quintet in E, Op. 11, No...
and, most notably, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
.
During his lifetime, Artaria was Mozart's principal publisher, although after his death this passed to the German house of Breitkopf & Härtel
Breitkopf & Härtel
Breitkopf & Härtel is the world's oldest music publishing house. The firm was founded in 1719 in Leipzig by Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf . The catalogue currently contains over 1000 composers, 8000 works and 15,000 music editions or books on music. The name "Härtel" was added when Gottfried...
. Artaria also published several early works of Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
, until a bitter dispute in 1801/02 over the publishing rights of Beethoven's String Quintet
String quintet
A string quintet is a musical composition for a standard string quartet supplemented by a fifth string instrument, usually a second viola or a second cello , but occasionally a double bass. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who favoured addition of a viola, is considered a pioneer of the form...
Op. 29 which culminated in a court case ended further collaboration.
The dispute with Beethoven highlights the role the company played in helping determine early copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
laws. Voluminous correspondence is extant between Artaria and its clients regarding ownership and royalty of editions as well as piracy concerns.
Artaria continued to be a leading publisher through the 19th century, until it finally ceased its music publication business in the twentieth century.
Notable Editions
- Ridgewell, Rupert M.: Artaria's music shop and Boccherini's music in Viennese musical life; Early Music - Volume 33, Number 2, May 2005, pp. 179-189