Selecting between two significant classical music publishers can often be difficult for musicians and music lovers.
The venerable Bärenreiter publishing house has been producing high-quality editions of important musical works since the late 19th century.
Then, there’s the up-and-coming Henle publishing house, founded in the mid-20th century, but has quickly gained a reputation as an important resource for musicians looking for authoritative performance editions of their favorite pieces.
There are several differences between Bärenreiter and Henle that might be important for users. For example, Bärenreiter tends to focus on editions that are geared towards performers, offering clear instructions about how the music should be played
Henle takes a more academic approach to its editions, providing detailed historical and theoretical information about each piece alongside the musical score.
There’s a considerable difference between the kind of music editions that both of these publishing houses offer, so it’s important that you choose the right one.
Ultimately, the decision of which publisher to use will come down to the individual needs and preferences of the musician themselves. However, both Bärenreiter and Henle offer high-quality products to satisfy even the most discerning classical music fan.
Bärenreiter Vs Henle
| Features | Bärenreiter | Henle |
|---|---|---|
| Music Genre | Classical | Classical |
| Founded | 1927 | 1948 |
| Environment Friendliness | No | Yes |
| Music App | No music app | Henle Library |
| Customer loyalty program | Yes | No |
| Extra services (like DVDs) | No | Yes |
According to the G. Henle Verlag website, there are several reasons why someone might prefer their editions to other publishers.
Henle focuses on including more historical and theoretical information about each piece alongside the musical score than other publishers.
They also have an online Urtext library that can be accessed by anyone who purchases one of their editions.
This gives you access to the critical report for that edition, as well as other helpful information. Henle also offers a lower price for their editions when compared to Bärenreiter.
Bärenreiter’s History
Bärenreiter, founded back in 1923, has been the industry standard for almost a century. They offer clear instructions about how the music should be played in their editions, which can be helpful for performers.
Bärenreiter also has a loyalty program where customers can earn points to use towards future purchases.
Bärenreiter has been producing high-quality editions of classical music since the late 19th century. Bärenreiter takes a more performer-focused approach to their editions, with clear instructions on how the music should be played.
Bärenreiter feels proud to have a history going back over two hundred years to the Bohemian musical instrument maker Anton Bärenreiter who laid the foundations for the company in 1711.
Henle’s History
Henle is also one of the stalwarts in the industry. In fact, it was founded by two music historians: Ludwig Rietz and Georg von Dadelsen. The first edition that they published was of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion in 1950.
Henle was founded in the mid-20th century (1948) and has grown to be an important resource for musicians and music lovers worldwide
With a focus on high-quality editions of classical musical works, Henle provides detailed performance instructions alongside the musical score in order to help performers achieve a more accurate interpretation of these pieces.
Production Formats
In terms of format, both Bärenreiter and Henle offer various options. Bärenreiter offers scores, parts, and study materials, while Henle just offers scores and parts.
Although Henle does have a wider range of score options, they provide total scores, study scores, piano reduction scores, and vocal scores. Bärenreiter just offers total scores and study scores. Henle offers different product groups, including:
- Paperbound Urtext editions
- Study scores
- Bibliophilic facsimile editions
- Musiological books and periodicals
- Exquisite gifts (limited collection)
Henle also offers a broader range of products beyond just scores and parts. They offer books, DVDs, and CDs on various topics related to classical music.
G Henle has developed as a carbon-neutral and environmentally friendly publisher, publishing exclusively in paperless form since 2009.
It is an area where Henle really shines. They offer more formats and options than Bärenreiter, and they are also much more environmentally conscious.
Music Engraving
Music engraving is the art of printing scores, parts, and study editions. Henle employs some of the best music engravers globally, working on precise computer systems with specially trained designers to produce high-quality publications.
Bärenreiter’s music engravers work by hand to create their editions. It gives their publications a more personal touch, but it also means they are not as precise as Henle’s editions.
Bärenreiter doesn’t work on an environmental safety program because they think it doesn’t fit with their company’s music engraving processes. It is why Henle is the better company when it comes to environmental safety.
Distribution Channels
Looking at how music reaches the public through these two publications is very interesting.
Henle has established itself as a leader in the online music community, with its website offering information on noteworthy performances and recordings of classical music.
It also provides a wide range of educational resources like study guides and annotated scores for students and music lovers alike.
Bärenreiter is more focused on providing high-quality physical editions of music. However, they do have an online presence where customers can purchase and download digital scores and parts.
They also offer a loyalty program where customers can earn points to use towards future purchases.
Digital Platforms
G Henle’s app “Henle Library” allows users to access their digital catalog and download or stream scores and parts on a variety of devices.
This app helps listeners access and listen to their favorite music wherever they are. They can also find out about upcoming concerts and listen to special programs on classical music.
Bärenreiter’s “gone digital” service allows customers to purchase and download digital scores and parts.
However, they don’t have a dedicated app like Henle, so it can be harder to access these scores on the go. Bärenreiter is trying to catch up to Henle in this area, but they still have some work to do.
The things unique with Bärenreiter are that they offer specialized details in their studies and the physical books, which Henle does not.
They also have a customer loyalty program where you can earn points to use towards future purchases, which Henle does not offer. They have a high reputation in the market due to their high prices.
Which One Is The Better Choice?
Music publishers like G Henle and Bärenreiter are essential to the classical music industry, and there are many things to consider when choosing such a publisher for your needs.
If you want more comprehensive study materials with each recording, go with Bärenreiter. You get comprehensive notes and materials for each recording.
On the other hand, Henle is great if you want Urtext sheet music. They do also have study scores, but they are not as detailed.
All in all, you can’t go wrong with either of these companies, as they both deliver fantastic music editions at exceptional prices.
Henle is my all time favorite and go to when buying sheet music from any German/Austrian composer. When I’m looking for sheet music, the first thing I do is look if Henle has it because I check any other publisher/edition.
As always great ! Thank you