Requesting a little help...

The attached is an unfinished sketch for a serenade for winds (2 clarinets, 2 horns, 2 bassoons) that I started on New Years Day. I've made it through the development section of this, the first movement, and I've checked through all of Mozart's wind music to see if I somehow lifted something from him...but I still have a horrible feeling I've plagiarised part of this.

If anyone hears something in this that I might have lifted from somewhere else, I'd be very grateful if you'd let me know, and who/what you think it might be. I don't mind similarity - there is going to be that - but an outright quote is unacceptable. I don't want to get all the way through this only to find it was someone else's.

Thanks in advance.'

P.S. - I've already consulted a couple of wind players, who have let me know that a couple of the phrases in the development section are too long to be played without a breath, and that I'll have to re-write them somehow. If you see anything else that seems amiss, let me know.

You may be worried about the plagiarism for other reasons, such as composer's pride, but below is the legality of this situation:

You are legally allowed to copy all of Mozart's music exactly (his original works) and technically as a result, the new score will be called your arrangement and you own copyright. The rule is something like 70 or 80 years after the composer's, or ANY author's death, they lose copyright to their work of art, and it becomes released into the "public domain". That's why you can't copy the Beetle's music, because at least one of the Beetle's is still living today. If you want to own the work's of the Beetle's, the only thing you can do is offer them money like in Michael Jackson's case and buy the copyright. After Michael Jackson's death, if someone else doesn't buy the rights from him, I am pretty sure you would have to wait 70 years until the music becomes free to the public, since the new owner of the Beetle's was MJ.

So there is absolutly no need to be worried legally about plagiarizing from public domain music, because Mozart doesn't own his music anymore. Of course, the only thing you have to be worried about is plagiarizing an arrangement of his music, which may be copyrighted.

Chopin, I don't think lee is afraid of the legal side of the issue. I believe he wants his work to be his own with a mozart influence.

I myself couldn't hear anything but I'll check back in a while to make sure.

I can see why you would be afraid that you are copying mozart. Your work does sound very similiar but I believe you aren't doing so. OF course, with of a hundred of composition under his belt, we can never be to sure.

Bloody copyright laws - makes getting any of Neruda's or Cummings' poetry impossible to get! Their families are so bloody tightfisted about it.

i have never listened to this music, within my knowledge it is perfectly original. by the way, it is very pleasant and interesting too! go ahead!!!!

Because of the somewhat prescriptive nature of classical music, it's perfectly possible to plagiarise by mistake, and also semi-acceptable as long as the plagiarisation isn't too significant. In this case I don't believe it is. It's an excellent piece by the way, I look forward to the finished version.

Thanks, everybody. I appreciate you setting my mind at ease a bit. I may still check some of Beethoven's wind stuff, but I feel reassured that it's more the character than the notes that have been emulated.

I was reminded of Beethoven in places, but only momentarily - the 'Spring' sonata a bit, maybe. Didn't recognise any of this for the most part.

Er...while we're on the subject of Beethoven wind music, can someone direct me towards a recording of one 'Concerto for 8 Wind Instruments'? All I remember is playing a version of it arranged for strings, a long time ago.

Hello Lee,
Love the piece!!! but how ever hard I try,.... I can't understand the tempo.
TO FAST, at the brink of beeing unmusical. Harsh words of a newbie who so deeply respects your work.

I hope you don't mind me beeing so outspoken.