Editions Marc Reift, the international music publishers based in Crans-Montana in Switzerland is set to celebrate a remarkable milestone.

This month the company will publish its 100,000th music title, although as the founder himself told 4BR, he believes this to be the start of yet another new chapter in his mission to bring music from composers to musicians.

Musical career

Marc Reift began his own musical career as a trombonist, gaining diploma qualifications from studies in Biel, Bern and Cologne. He started work at the Music Department of The Salvation Army in Bern in 1974, balancing his work with being a member of the acclaimed Slokar Trombone Quartet and as principal trombone of the Tonhalle Orchestra and Bern Symphony Orchestra.

He is also the conductor of the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, the Marc Reift Orchestra and the Prague Festival Orchestra.

Intermediary

He founded Editions Marc Reift in Zumikon in 1983, fuelled by his vision that he says sees himself, "as acting as an intermediary to bring music from the composer to the musician."

That has now been done 100,000 times with an internationally renowned catalogue that represents 40 years of dedication to his craft linked to a professional commitment to composers and a passion for seeing music performing.

From its base since 1994 in Crans-Montana in 1994, Editions Marc Reift music is now distributed in 75 countries, with a catalogue encompassing a broad range of instrumental settings. This includes solo repertoire and chamber music, orchestral music, concert band, brass band, big band and ensembles in a wide variety of configurations, as well as educational music and numerous arrangements.

The company also has its own record label, Marcophon, with more than 700 albums.

Entrusted

However, Marc Reift believes that publishing a composition means more than simply printing it. It must be prepared, checked, catalogued, distributed and made accessible to musicians, while also ensuring its preservation.

"A composer entrusts me with more than just a score," he says. "They entrust me with part of their body of work—and with it, a responsibility for the long term.

When a composer entrusts their work to a publisher, it is potentially for several generations. The publisher must therefore think within that time frame."

A composer entrusts me with more than just a score. They entrust me with part of their body of work-and with it, a responsibility for the long termMarc Reift

Years to come

EMR therefore has a comprehensive archive, safeguarding manuscripts and files, structuring contracts and rights, as well as managing its catalogue digitally.

A team of around 30 employees and specialists is now employed from editorial preparation to production and distribution, with the aim that the music remains as he says, "alive and continues to serve composers and musicians for years to come."

New beginning

He adds: "The 100,000th title therefore marks not an end, but a new beginning. A score is not meant to lie dormant in an archive, it is meant to be opened, studied, rehearsed and performed.

When I hear a work published by EMR in a concert hall, I know that my work has achieved its purpose."

Further information: www.reift.ch