ORiGiN Music’s theatrical arm adds Wise Music classical catalogue

ORiGiN Music’s theatrical business has added the Wise Music/ G.Schirmer Classical concert catalogue to its growing concert library activities.

Through the deal, announced this week, ORiGiN Theatrical will now represent such international composers as Bryce Dessner, Ludovico Einaudi, Philip Glass, Missy Mazzoli, Nico Muhly, Olivier Messiaen, Jocelyn Pook, Rachel Portman, Kaija Saariaho, Joby Talbot, Tan Dun and Judith Weir, plus Australian works and composers such as William Barton, Graeme Koehne, Luke Styles, Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Carl Vine and Richard Mills.

Headed by Kim Ransley, Managing Director of ORiGiN Theatrical, the theatrical division launched in 2004 and is an integral part of the independent music company’s activities.

“We are excited to be working with Wise Music to manage their substantial and rich catalogue of works from such diverse genres from film & TV, opera, musical theatre and the classics,” explains Ransley in a statement.

“We look forward to assisting orchestras and theatre companies with their music needs, especially in these challenging times.”

Catherine Gerrard, Classical Music Promotions Manager at Wise Music Group, adds: “This new partnership will stand us in good stead as we continue to work with the many ensembles, orchestras, dance companies, opera houses and choirs who value and perform the music we represent.”

Though the live performing aspect of the business has been challenged by the health crisis, the licensing of musicals and plays and hiring out concert and orchestral material is a solid and consistent business, explains ORiGiN Music Creative Director and Co-Founder Philip Mortlock.

ORiGiN now has “an enviable range of catalogues we represent for the Australasian market,” notes Mortlock, with an existing library featuring songs from musicals by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber available to rent for concert presentations with symphony orchestras.

Also, the company represents works from musical theatre composers Claude-Michel Schönberg & Alain Boublil, and pieces from The Beatles, Best of Bond, The Snowman by Howard Blake, The Queen Symphony, and Tom Waits’ Black Rider and more.

The addition of the substantial Wise catalogue “will increase our activities for Origin Theatrical in South East Asia as well,” Mortlock tells TIO.

Jake Mason and Philip Mortlock

ORiGiN is undergoing something of a renaissance.

Originally formed in 1994 by Mortlock and Philip Walker, ORiGiN Music recently re-established its own independent infrastructure, with new hires to handle copyright royalties, licensing and more.

Today, ORiGiN Music boasts a roster of publishing clients including Gotye, Cookin On 3 Burners, Megan Washington, Lior, James Morrison and others, while its relaunched recorded music label ORiGiN Recordings has steered a string of new projects.

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.