Universal-Edition

In 1924, with his completion of a third year of studies in Busoni's master class, performances of his Divertimento and Sinfonia sacra by the Berlin Philharmonic, other achievements, and even a "grand tour" of Italy all behind him, Kurt Weill, highly commended by his mentor, was offered an exclusive publishing contract by Universal Edition in Vienna. As a result, this publishing house gained rights over some of Weill's most successful works, including Die Dreigroschenoper. The contract remained in effect until October 1933, when Weill's loss of access to the German market and consequent need to establish himself elsewhere, led to its suspension and the first of his contracts with publishers in France, England, and the United States. During the years of Austria's annexation by Germany (1938-1945), copies of works by Weill not hidden by Universal Edition were confiscated. Contact between publisher and composer was reestablished in 1946, but remained sporadic during the few remaining years of Weill's life. Following his death in 1950, his widow, Lotte Lenya, became executrix of the estate. In this capacity she became involved in a legal dispute with the Brecht estate over the division of royalties from Die Dreigroschenoper, this providing the impetus for a noticeable "reactivation" of the file for the Weill estate at Universal Edition during the years from 1957 to 1962.

From the description of Kurt Weill correspondence file, 1924-1962 (bulk, 1924-1934, 1957-1962). (Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison). WorldCat record id: 122688283

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