Quote Originally Posted by Valmaxian View Post
Basically this (composer here!). Technically, if you’re performing non-public domain music in a not-for-profit setting, and it’s a cover of the original, it may still fall under Fair Use, but as Rongway has stated, this is vast and complex legal territory. But some of the composers mentioned (Mozart and Beethoven) would fall under the public domain. Typically the rule is 70 years after the composers’ death (assuming they have no heirs or publishers claiming rights).
All true, but everyone should keep in mind that copyright laws vary between different countries, so a work that is in the public domain in one country may still be covered by copyright in another.