Posted by Richard on September 21, 2001 at 18:45:11:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Copying music. A Crime? posted by Chuck(G) on September 21, 2001 at 00:54:43:
I won't argue with you on the basis of the letter of the law, but in spirit, if you want to play Gabrieli canzonas with your brass quintet, it would be unethical to play them off of copied parts when they may be purchased, thereby compensating the publisher.
On the other hand, if you wanted the tuba part to Berg's Wozzeck in order to try to master an awesome piece of orchestral writing, you would not be permitted to purchase this part, it's rental only. However, if you were able to obtain a photocopy from the pro at your local opera house, and if it remained in your studio for your edification, no harm would be done, and none would come to you. But if anyone were to copy the whole orchestra's, and chorus and soloists worth of parts, and mount a public performance from such materials, Universal Editions and the Berg Estate, would, to put it politely, sue their asses.