On 09.01.2009 Daniel Wolf wrote:
In the case of public domain works by well-known composers, if the works are of any artistic merit, it is very hard to argue for any delay or restriction in publication of source materials, and an argument against more open access to the raw data should be equally difficult. I could well imagine that if the scanned Ukrainian library were place online, the musicological community would be immediately enriched by the liveliness and thoroughness of the public discussion, and the musical community in general need not suffer any arbitrary delay in access to works belonging to a common heritage. Such a delay only adds insult to the injury that has kept such works hidden.
Do not forget that this collection has the potential to make a lot of money with publishing and performing rights. This is not about scholarly research, it is about money. We may not like it, but money does rule the world.
Actually, if I suddently discovered an unknown Bach oratorio in my closet, I would not want anybody else to even look at it until I made a lot of money with it. Unfortunately Bach didn't hide anything in my closet, I had a look.
Johannes _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
