Urtext Editions Arrive in the Philippines, Changing the Landscape for Classical Musicians

Philippine musicians now have improved accessibility to authentic urtext editions, with Veniccio securing distribution rights from prestigious publishers . This marks a significant advancement in resources for classical musicians across the country.

Veniccio, a distributor of urtext editions in the Philippines, is providing musicians with direct access to highly sought-after, historically accurate scores. Previously, Filipino musicians had to rely on international purchases to obtain these editions, which are essential for professional and advanced musicians who seek an interpretation closest to the composer’s original work.

This launch brings renowned publishers such as the G. Henle Verlag and Bärenreiter Urtext within reach of Filipino musicians, who can now build their collections without the high costs and long wait times associated with overseas shipping. The Veniccio Catalog, a dedicated platform for book sales within Veniccio, is a significant addition to the country’s classical music resources, addressing a longstanding gap in the availability of Urtext editions.

The Veniccio Catalog was curated by the team behind Veniccio Institute, founded by Rafael Marco Balbin, a leading Philippine music corporation that has been instrumental in cultivating aspiring musicians both locally and abroad. As part of Veniccio's mission to expand musical opportunities, the catalog not only serves current students but also caters to the broader professional and academic communities, offering works by essential composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, Chopin, and many others.

"It's about time we bring these esteemed publishers to the Philippines, especially now that Book Depository is no longer operational, making the acquisition process much harder," Balbin stated. "These publishers have put in significant effort for our benefit, and I believe it’s essential that we support them in return."

With further plans to expand their collection to include publishers like Carus-Verlag, Hal Leonard, Ricordi, and Faber, The Veniccio Catalog aims to make the Philippines have broader accessibility to high-quality classical music materials. This initiative also supports Veniccio Institute’s commitment to elevating musicianship, allowing performers and teachers to access a deeper understanding of classical music through authentic, composer-faithful editions.

The catalog’s online platform ensures easy ordering and quick delivery, allowing musicians from all over the Philippines to access these vital resources conveniently. This unprecedented local availability of Urtext editions is expected to enhance the study and performance of classical music, allowing Filipino musicians to engage more deeply with the repertoire.