BMG has expanded its partnership with Jean-Michel Jarre, bringing the electronic composer’s recorded catalog and future works under an exclusive licensing agreement across a broad range of territories worldwide. The deal, announced Thursday (September 17), builds on an existing relationship that includes BMG’s largest single deal in France and Jarre’s first three albums.
Deal scope and background#
The expanded agreement places Jarre’s recorded catalog under BMG on an exclusive licensing basis across multiple territories worldwide, according to a press release.
- BMG obtained recordings of Jarre’s first three albums through its 2012 purchase of Francis Dreyfus Music.
- In 2022, BMG acquired Jarre’s music publishing catalog, including Oxygène and Équinoxe, along with his writer’s income stream.
- BMG has said that the 2022 transaction remains its largest single deal in France.
The company said the expanded partnership reflects a commitment to the long-term development, protection and celebration of Jarre’s catalog, as well as continued collaboration on new work.
Executive comment#
“My relationship with BMG goes back many years, and I am very happy that today we are bringing our work even closer together,” said Jean-Michel Jarre. “As the only major international music company with European roots, BMG has a cultural identity that is deeply important to me. This is an especially exciting moment for creators, as technology opens up new possibilities for imagination and expression. I am proud to deepen our friendship and partnership as we embark on the future together.”
“Jean-Michel Jarre has influenced generations of electronic artists and continues to shape the culture today,” said Alistair Norbury, BMG’s Senior Creative Advisor to the CEO. “Expanding our relationship across his recorded catalog gives us an even greater opportunity to support and celebrate his extraordinary body of work, while bringing the full strength of BMG to its long-term stewardship and global reach.”
BMG leadership and recent deals#
BMG is now led by CEO Bob Valentine, following its combination with Concord, which completed on September 1. The combined company holds a catalog of more than four million works, with its global headquarters in Nashville and Berlin serving as its European base.
Founded in 2008, BMG is approximately 67% owned by Bertelsmann, with the remaining 33% held by affiliates of Great Mountain Partners.
In August, BMG struck a global licensing deal with artificial intelligence music platform Suno, covering recorded music and publishing rights on an opt-in basis for its artists and songwriters. The company also acquired the publishing and recorded rights of Wolfmother frontman Andrew Stockdale in August.
Jarre’s catalog and upcoming projects#
Over a career spanning five decades, Jarre has released 22 studio albums. His live concerts have drawn audiences in the millions, including a 1997 performance in Moscow that attracted 3.5 million people.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Oxygène, which was released in 1976. Jarre performed across Europe this summer, including a concert at Amnesia Ibiza on July 5, his first show on the island, as part of the venue’s 50th anniversary.
He will appear as guest of honor at the 30th anniversary of Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), which runs from October 21 to 25, and will present the opening concert at AFAS Live on the first night. That concert, titled “Oxygène & Beyond: A Sonic Journey Celebrating 30 Years of ADE,” is sold out, according to BMG.
A book, Machines: A History of Electronic Music, will be published by Thames & Hudson on October 8. Written by Jarre, the book was curated by Sonny Marr and Alistair Norbury, according to BMG. It draws on synthesizers and studio gear Jarre has amassed privately over decades to chart how electronic sound developed, with input from other figures in the field.
BMG said further details of how it plans to mark the Oxygène anniversary will be shared soon.
