We are excited to announce that respected executive Annette Gentz has joined Ricordi Berlin in the role of General Manager GSA (Germany/Austria/Switzerland), Classics & Screen, effective immediately. Universal Music Publishing Group’s (UMPG) Classics & Screen division represents world-class composers and is home to iconic publishing houses like Ricordi, Durand Salabert Eschig, and Editio Musica Budapest. Based in Berlin, Gentz will report to Thomas Vidovic, Managing Director of UMPG Germany & Natasha Baldwin, Executive Vice President, UMPG Classics & Screen.

In addition to her new role, she will bring her esteemed film and stage music agency, Annette Gentz / Music & Film Arts, into UMPG where it will continue operating under its own name. Known across Hollywood and mainland Europe alike, the agency has been producing and supervising soundtracks for European and international productions for more than 10 years. The move makes UMPG the first major to provide expanded composer services in the film, TV and stage music space.

With a strong background in film/TV experience and extensive knowledge of GSA opera houses, stages and venues, Gentz represents award-winning musicians and unique voices in German and international cinema. Previous film projects she was involved in include scores by Volker Bertelmann/ Hauschka, Dascha Dauenhauer, Michael Nyman, Hannah von Hübbenet, Carsten Nicolai/ Alva Noto, Max Richter, Freya Arde, Frans Bak, Annette Focks and John Gürtler & Jan Miserre. Most recently, she supervised the score deal for Volker Bertelmann/ Hauschka that won him the 2023 Academy Award for Best Original Score for “All Quiet on the Western Front.”

Annette Gentz / Music & Film Arts has built a respected reputation collaborating with film directors and producers, choreographers, theatres and opera houses, publishers and record labels worldwide. Among the agency’s notable stage projects: Karsten Fundal’s music theatre piece "Leaves” (with Efterklang); the Danish National Opera production “Inkognito Royal”; Carsten Nicolai/ Alva Noto’s dance pieces with choreographer Richard Siegel, his concert commission for Ensemble Modern, “Xerrox Vol 4”; as well as “Komplizen,” a Burgtheater production directed by Simon Stone.

Gentz said: “It is a great honor and privilege for me to join UMPG Classics & Screen GSA. My life’s work has been bringing opera, music theatre, ballet and film scores into the 21st century, while preserving and honoring these incredible musical heritages. There are unlimited opportunities for innovation, and I’m committed to supporting projects that speak to inclusive and culturally diverse audiences. I look forward to exploring these together with our distinguished composers and dedicated global team.”

Natasha Baldwin, Executive Vice President of UMPG Classics & Screen, said: “Annette is a force of nature and a longstanding champion of composers across European Film/TV and on Stage. We are excited not only to have Annette lead our fast-moving Classics & Screen business in GSA, but also to build upon our reputation as the best global home for composers through the joining of her agency to UMPG. This is an exciting next step in the continued evolution of our Classics & Screen business and for UMPG’s unwavering commitment to composers and songwriters.”

Thomas Vidovic, Managing Director of Universal Music Publishing Germany and Senior Vice President of Universal Music Publishing Austria & Switzerland, added: “From both global and local perspectives, I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Annette and her award-winning film & arts agency to UMPG which will add distinguished creative value for our songwriters. Bringing more film score expertise to our team will strengthen our sync synergies as a full-service music publisher, and we look forward to expanding our valuable services for clients in film, TV and advertising.”