MUSOPEN

Musopen: Setting Music Free Through Public Domain Resources

Musopen is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to music by providing free resources and educational materials. Their core mission is to “set music free” by offering a vast collection of public domain music recordings, sheet music, and educational content without copyright restrictions.

Founded in 2006, Musopen operates with the belief that music should be freely accessible to everyone. While much of Western classical music composed before the 20th century is in the public domain, quality recordings of these works are often still under copyright. Musopen addresses this by creating and disseminating high-quality recordings and sheet music of classical compositions that are no longer protected by copyright.

Key Features:

• Extensive Library of Public Domain Music: Musopen hosts a large catalog of Western classical music recordings from various composers and periods.
• Free Sheet Music: The platform provides a wide selection of sheet music files that users can view online or print for their own use.
• Educational Resources: Musopen offers music education materials, including textbooks and other resources for teachers and students.
• Royalty-Free Usage: All recordings and sheet music on Musopen are free to use without copyright restrictions, making them ideal for various projects, including educational purposes, film soundtracks, and creative remixes.
• Community Support: Musopen relies on donations and memberships to support its mission of making music freely available. They also encourage volunteers to contribute to the project.

How Musopen Operates:

Musopen operates under a freemium model. While a significant portion of their content is available for free, they also offer membership options that provide benefits such as unlimited, high-definition downloads. Non-paying users can still download music recordings but are typically limited to a certain number of downloads per day.

The organization has undertaken notable projects, including crowdfunding campaigns to record the complete symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Sibelius, as well as the complete piano sonatas of Beethoven and the works of Frédéric Chopin. These recordings are then released into the public domain for anyone to use.

A Valuable Resource for Music Lovers and Educators:

Musopen stands as a significant online resource for anyone interested in classical music. By providing free access to recordings, sheet music, and educational materials, they empower musicians, students, educators, and enthusiasts to explore and engage with classical music without the barriers of copyright. Their commitment to the public domain ensures that these cultural treasures remain accessible for generations to come.