Arnold Schönberg an C. F. Peters Corp.
12. Juli 1950
Dear Mr Hinrichsen:
I affirm receipt of your check of $ 200.
As much as I remember, I had not yet to expect this
advance, and I appreciate it very much that you do
this voluntarily, before it is due. Thank you.
As much as I remember, I had not yet to expect this
advance, and I appreciate it very much that you do
this voluntarily, before it is due. Thank you.
I am glad I hear that you are back in New York,
because, for quite a time, I wanted to suggest to
you the following matter.
because, for quite a time, I wanted to suggest to
you the following matter.
Universal-Edition is not in the position to deliver
scores and parts of all the music of mine they have
published in about 30 years. It seems, that all has
been destroyed during the Hitler time, and only one
copy of every work has been preserved. On account of
this, I lose very many performances and sales of my
works. I am extremely much damaged by this. Besides,
I can also not receive the little money which they
could pay me.
scores and parts of all the music of mine they have
published in about 30 years. It seems, that all has
been destroyed during the Hitler time, and only one
copy of every work has been preserved. On account of
this, I lose very many performances and sales of my
works. I am extremely much damaged by this. Besides,
I can also not receive the little money which they
could pay me.
For this reason I have sent them a letter of cancelation
of my contract, which, as I expected, they refused to
recognize as legal.
of my contract, which, as I expected, they refused to
recognize as legal.
I knew beforehand, that even if I would have been free,
it would not have been of great advantage to me, because
I had to find somebody who takes over republication
of all the works – about thirty, among them many which
were very successful. My plan was to suggest to you,
whether you could not acquire the contracts between
U–E and myself, and republish all these works within
a certain time.
it would not have been of great advantage to me, because
I had to find somebody who takes over republication
of all the works – about thirty, among them many which
were very successful. My plan was to suggest to you,
whether you could not acquire the contracts between
U–E and myself, and republish all these works within
a certain time.
I believe that the demands of U–E will be rather modest.
If not in the beginning so later, because they will never
again have the money to rebuild their business. I also
do not know, whether you want to spend all this money
on me, though I think it would be again a good investment,
as it was before the war. It seems that the demands for
my music have increased enormously after this war, not
only in Germany, but also in all the other countries.
If not in the beginning so later, because they will never
again have the money to rebuild their business. I also
do not know, whether you want to spend all this money
on me, though I think it would be again a good investment,
as it was before the war. It seems that the demands for
my music have increased enormously after this war, not
only in Germany, but also in all the other countries.
All my works have always been remunerative, with only
a few exceptions. From all of them, I received royalties,
during all these years, royalties from what they earned
for the publisher.
a few exceptions. From all of them, I received royalties,
during all these years, royalties from what they earned
for the publisher.
As much as I remember, very vaguely, I had about 15
years ago asked on behalf of a publisher, for which
sum they would sell my copyrights. I think they asked
$ 50,000, which seemed reasonable to me after Hertzka’s
death, and the catastrophal situation of U–E at this time.
Nevertheless it seemed too much to the publisher in
question. I am sure U–E will be more modest this time
and will be satisfied with half of it, because they
again need it. [But]
years ago asked on behalf of a publisher, for which
sum they would sell my copyrights. I think they asked
$ 50,000, which seemed reasonable to me after Hertzka’s
death, and the catastrophal situation of U–E at this time.
Nevertheless it seemed too much to the publisher in
question. I am sure U–E will be more modest this time
and will be satisfied with half of it, because they
again need it. [But]
But, in case you would not consider a deal on this basis
perhaps a new idea which I have might offer a solution.
perhaps a new idea which I have might offer a solution.
You pay them a modest cash price as an advance on
future earnings, of which they will receive a percent-
age. To work out the details is not possible for me.
But I think a good lawyer could do it.
future earnings, of which they will receive a percent-
age. To work out the details is not possible for me.
But I think a good lawyer could do it.
My third suggestion is: could you not apply the pro-
cedure of U–E when they tool over works of other publish-
ers in their catalogue, under the title “In die U–E
au[f]genommen“. Mr. Hertzka once explained me this pro-
cedure as that he had obtained from such firms a
“Plattenbenützungsrecht“, which probably also included
distribution and production of parts.
cedure of U–E when they tool over works of other publish-
ers in their catalogue, under the title “In die U–E
au[f]genommen“. Mr. Hertzka once explained me this pro-
cedure as that he had obtained from such firms a
“Plattenbenützungsrecht“, which probably also included
distribution and production of parts.
I am anxious to hear your opinion about this subject
and shall I say that I would be very pleased to have
you as a publisher of at leaste most of my works and
perhaps sometimes later, all of them.
and shall I say that I would be very pleased to have
you as a publisher of at leaste most of my works and
perhaps sometimes later, all of them.
Looking forward to your letter, I greet you most
cordially,
cordially,
Yours,
P. S. I forgot to mention. Would you be interested to publish
my Fantasy for Violin (written in 1949) and pay me an advance on
it? The piece has been played in America and Europe with great
success and is much in demand.
my Fantasy for Violin (written in 1949) and pay me an advance on
it? The piece has been played in America and Europe with great
success and is much in demand.
49
July 12, 1950
Dear Mr Hinrichsen:
I affirm receipt of your check of $ 200.
As much as I remember, I had not yet to expect this
advance, and I appreciate it very much that you do
this voluntarily, before it is due. Thank you.
I am glad I hear that you are back in New York,
because, for quite a time, I wanted to suggest to
you the following matter.
Universal-Edition is not in the position to deliver
scores and parts of all the music of mine they have
published in about 30 years. It seems, that all has
been destroyed during the Hitler time, and only one
copy of every work has been preserved. On account of
this, I lose very many performances and sales of my
works. I am extremely much damaged by this. Besides,
I can also not receive the little money which they
could pay me.
For this reason I have sent them a letter of cancelation
of my contract, which, as I expected, they refused to
recognize as legal.
I knew beforehand, that even if I would have been free,
it would not have been of great advantage to me, because
I had to find somebody who takes over republication
of all the works – about thirty, among them many which
were very successful. My plan was to suggest to you,
whether you could not acquire the contracts between
U–E and myself, and republish all these works within
a certain time.
I believe that the demands of U–E will be rather modest.
If not in the beginning so later, because they will never
again have the money to rebuild their business. I also
do not know, whether you want to spend all this money
on me, though I think it would be again a good investment,
as it was before the war. It seems that the demands for
my music have increased enormously after this war, not
only in Germany, but also in all the other countries.
All my works have always been remunerative, with only
a few exceptions. From all of them, I received royalties,
during all these years, royalties from what they earned
for the publisher.
As much as I remember, very vaguely, I had about 15
years ago asked on behalf of a publisher, for which
sum they would sell my copyrights. I think they asked
$ 50,000, which seemed reasonable to me after Hertzka’s
death, and the catastrophal situation of U–E at this time.
Nevertheless it seemed too much to the publisher in
question. I am sure U–E will be more modest this time
and will be satisfied with half of it, because they
again need it.
But, in case you would not consider a deal on this basis
perhaps a new idea which I have might offer a solution.
You pay them a modest cash price as an advance on
future earnings, of which they will receive a percentage. To work out the details is not possible for me.
But I think a good lawyer could do it.
My third suggestion is: could you not apply the procedure of U–E when they tool over works of other publishers in their catalogue, under the title “In die U–E
aufgenommen“. Mr. Hertzka once explained me this procedure as that he had obtained from such firms a
“Plattenbenützungsrecht“, which probably also included
distribution and production of parts.
I am anxious to hear your opinion about this subject
and shall I say that I would be very pleased to have
you as a publisher of at leaste most of my works and
perhaps sometimes later, all of them.
Looking forward to your letter, I greet you most
cordially,
cordially,
Yours,
P. S. I forgot to mention. Would you be interested to publish
my Fantasy for Violin (written in 1949) and pay me an advance on
it? The piece has been played in America
and Europe with great
success and is much in demand.
12. Juli 1950
The Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Music Division
Arnold Schoenberg Collection
Washington, D.C.
Music Division
Arnold Schoenberg Collection
Brief, Durchschlag
Zitierhinweis:
Arnold Schönberg an C. F. Peters Corp., 12. Juli 1950, in: Arnold Schönberg: Briefwechsel mit C. F. Peters. Hrsg. von Florian Giering. Version 1.0 vom 02.04.2025. URL: https://www.schoenberg-peters.at/cfp/letters/letter.5491.