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Warner Chappell announces global deal with Jacques Brel publisher

By | Published on Monday 31 January 2022

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Warner Chappell in France has signed an admin agreement with the estate of the late Jacques Brel, whose most famous musical works in the English speaking world include ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’ (‘If You Go Away’) and ‘Le Moribond’ (‘Seasons In The Sun’).

The deal covers the whole world excluding the late singer-songwriter, actor and director’s home country of Belgium. Specifically it’s a partnership with Les Éditions Jacques Brel, the publishing company launched by Brel’s wife in 1962, which is now controlled by their daughter France Brel. The major already had a partnership with that company, co-publishing a number of Brel’s works.

Confirming the deal, Warner Chappell France MD Matthieu Tessier says that Brel’s oeuvre is “one of the most prestigious French song repertoires” and one that WCM is “honoured to represent worldwide. I’d like to thank France Brel for her trust and I can assure her that we’ll continue working every day on making this magnificent catalogue known all over the world”.

France Brel adds: “Since 1981, working alongside my mother, I became aware of the complexity of music publishing, and I made the acquaintance of our partners including Warner Chappell Music France. From 2004, we worked together more closely when we signed a co-publishing agreement. In 2006, my mother handed me the reins of [her publishing company] Éditions Pouchenel, which then became Les Éditions Jacques Brel. What an exceptional gift!”

“For many years now my father’s songs have been sung all over the world”, she goes on. “To represent his work and consider distribution options in the complex world of publishing requires an extensive international network. At this stage in my life, I am very happy to entrust the Warner Chappell teams to globally represent, outside Belgium, the administration of the Éditions Brel songs, created 60 years ago”.



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