May The Schwartz Be With Warner/Chappell
• Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music-publishing arm of Warner Music Group, announced that it has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with prolific musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. The composer of such hit musicals as Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, Schwartz is the recipient of three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award.
“Stephen is a legend,” said Kurt Deutsch, Senior Vice President, Theatrical & Catalog Development for Warner/Chappell Music. “In every story, he finds that thread of beauty, that self-reflection and resolve, and challenges audiences to be more empathetic. His imaginative work has delighted and captivated music lovers for nearly half a century, and today I’m honored to welcome him to our Warner/Chappell family.”
Schwartz remarked, “I have a long and happy history working with Kurt Deutsch, and I am delighted to be joining him and the Warner/Chappell family as we look to making more music and undertaking more exciting projects for the future.”
In addition to composing an abundance of musical theatre repertoire — Godspell, Pippin,Wicked, Rags, Working, Children of Eden, The Baker’s Wife, and more — Schwartz has contributed music and lyrics for films, including songs for The Prince of Egypt, and lyrics to Alan Menken‘s music for Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted. As a lyricist, he’s also collaborated with musical icon Leonard Bernstein (Mass) and Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja (Tiruvasakam). The theme of his work is often acceptance, and Schwartz has been a vocal advocate for human rights, civil rights, and LGBTQ rights. He has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the American Theater Hall of Fame and awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [Photo credit: Nathan Johnson]
