Using Classical Music in Video

[arnoldstudios]

Does anyone know what I need to do to use classical music performed by various symphonies in a video I am producing? Do I need to pull any licenses, or is this public domain? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Blue Bear Sound]

It's definitely not public domain -- Mozart himself may be dead, but the orchestra that performed the piece and the label that owns the sound recording sure aren't!

For video, not only do you have to worry about mechanical license for any audio that you use, but there's also a sync license and at least one other license that is required (my memory fails me - there's at least one more, but I can't recall the name offhand.)

[Halion]

I think it depends. The music itself is copyright-free because of it's age. So if you do an arrangement of a classical piece that is then played by a VSTi, I think you should be fine. Using actual pre-recorded audio is another story.

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally Posted by Halion

I think it depends. The music itself is copyright-free because of it's age. So if you do an arrangement of a classical piece that is then played by a VSTi, I think you should be fine. Using actual pre-recorded audio is another story.

True... I had presumed he was talking about using pre-recorded works.

[arnoldstudios]

Thank you both for the information. Yes, I was talking about pre-recorded works as well as having someone else actually play the pieces. How would I go about obtaining the mentioned licenses?

Thanks again!

[Blue Bear Sound]

The Harry Fox Agency is a good place to start... they'll point you to other places too, if addtional licenses are necessary...