Schott frères was a Belgian sheet music publishing house that operated between 1823 and 2006.
History The company was founded in 1823 in Antwerp as the Belgian branch of B. Schott's Söhne (today: Schott Music). It was established by two of Bernhard Schott's four children, Johann Andreas Schott (1781–1840) and Johann Josef Schott (1782–1855). Peter Bernhard Schott (1821–1873), Johann Andreas' son, became managing director and moved it the company to Brussels around 1839.
Schott frères was one of several European music publishing firms bearing the name Schott, all of which were originally subsidiaries of B. Schott's Söhne, including locations in Paris (1826–9, 1861–92), London (from 1835), and Sydney (1885–9). Of these, only Schott frères operated independently from the German parent company from 1889 to 2006. However, they always had their own publishing programmes, operating with a large degree of commercial independence, and ensuring the distribution of works from the other locations.
Peter ("Pierre") Schott (1857–1894) inherited the publishing business of Brussels and Paris while a minor. On 5 April 1879, two granddaughters of Bernhard Schott who had been managing the Brussels and Paris houses, created the brand name "Schott frères". On 11 November 1886, the granddaughters appointed Peter Schott as sole director; On 30 September 1888, Schott frères was liquidated, with Peter Schott serving as liquidator. In 1889, he conveyed the exclusive rights of Schott frères to Otto Junne (1854–1935), a non-family managing partner. The Paris house published under the name "Éditions Schott". Jean-Jacques Junne (1924–2012), Otto's grandson, had been managing director. He was a jazz saxophonist and band leader known as Jacky June.
In 2006, Schott frères was re-acquired by Schott and absorbed into the Schott Music Group. The shop had been domiciled at Ravensteinstraat and was subsequently closed.
Time line of Schott companies
Selected plate numbers of music published by Schott frères
Plate Composer Work (public domain) YearA.G. 29 Guilmant Symphony No. 1, Op. 42 1879S.F. 532 Benoit "Laura" 1858S.F. 638 Benoit "Petits bouquets" 1859S.F. 639 Benoit "Revenez petits oiseaux" 1859S.F. 820 Benoit "La trace de test pas" 1861S.F. 821 Benoit "Ici je veux rêver" 1861S.F. 1579-1583 Battmann "Bibliothèque religieuse complète, Op.330-341 1873S.F. 2021 Gobbaerts "Souvenir du Camp," Op.49 1879S.F. 2202 Benoît "Ave Maria" in F major 1892S.F. 3521 Wieniawski Piano Trio, Op. 40 1885S.F. 3590 Wieniawski Fantasia for 2 Pianos, Op. 42 1886S.F. 3601 (1) Fernand Le Borne Scènes de Ballet, Op. 9 1886S.F. 3692 Servais Concerto in A minor, Op. posthumous 1887S.F. 3988 Hartog, Eduard de Ein Mährchen. Charakterskizze f. Orch., Op. 62 1889S.F. 4169 Gustav Hille, Gustav Violin Concerto No. 3, Op. 60 1892S.F. 4320 Accolay Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor 1895S.F. 4594 Rasse, François Piano Trio, Op. 16 1898S.F. 4760 Reuss, Prince Heinrich String Sextet No. 1, Op. 12 1899S.F. 4859 Closson "Nocturne" (flute) 1901S.F. 4981ª Holmès Ton nom 1890S.F. 5106 Azevedo e Silva Piano Quintet 1905S.F. 5271-2 Callaerts 2 Sonates pour Orgue 1908S.F. 5594 Ysaÿe Divertimento, Op. 24 1921S.F. 5595 Ysaÿe Au Rouet, Op. 13 1921S.F. 5596 Ysaÿe Extase, Op. 21 1921S.F. 5603 Ysaÿe Variations for 2 Pianos, Op. 10 1917S.F. 6760 Benoit Contes et Ballades, Op.34 S.F. 8641 Mozart Fantasia No. 3, K. 397
Influence on Belgian music Schott frères and its Brussels predecessor, B. Schott's Söhne, played a critical role in defining a Belgian identity in music – a blend of Flemish and Belgian-French, both connected to the pure French school. Compositions were produced for chamber music, orchestras, military bands, Belgian royalty, churches, and music pedagogy, namely the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.
Selected compositions (by instrument)
+ Saxophone Plate Composer Work (public domain) Year Library IDS.F. 9395 Daneels "Four Miniatures" (for saxophone) 1982 Daneels "14 Etudes for Saxophone" 1973 Poot "Ballade: for saxophone & piano" 1948
+ Organ Plate Composer Work (public domain) Year Library ID Tournemire "Symphony Chorale for Organ," Op. 69 1939 Peeters "Anthologia Pro Organo" 1949
+ Piano & voice Plate Composer Work (public domain) Year Library ID Alain "15 negro spirituals" 1967
+ Cello Plate Composer Work (public domain) Year Library ID S.F. 9145 Ysaÿe "Sonata for Cello Solo" 1964
Related links Le guide musical, classical music periodical founded in 1855 by what then was the Brussels branch of B. Schott's Söhne Zéphyr Records (1978–1986), classical record label of Schott frères Jacky June (1924–2012), Otto Junne's grandson, a Belgian jazz pioneer, who served as director of Schott frères
References General references
Inline citations
External links International Music Score Library Project: Schott