Breitkopf & Härtel, founded in 1719 in Leipzig by Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf, is the oldest music publishing company in the world. The name “Härtel” was added when G. C Härtel  took over the company in 1795. In 1807, Härtel began to manufacture pianos, an endeavour which lasted until 1870. Breitkopf pianos were highly esteemed in the 19th century by such pianists as Franz Liszt and Clara Schumann.

The company has consistently supported composers and had close editorial collaboration with Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Clara Schuman, Brahms, Liszt, Chopin and Wagner Chopin. During the 19th century they also published the first “complete works” editions of various composers, such as Bach-Gesellschaft, the Alte Mozart-Ausgabe and Franz Schubert’s werke. Breitkopf &Härtel was also on the board of directors of the Händel-Gesellschaft of 1858.

Already dealing with leading composers in the 18th century, Breitkopf continues this tradition today. “Breitkopf Pädagogik” stands for new music-pedagogical concepts. “Breitkopf Urtext” guarantees musicologically flawless editions for interpreters.