Classical Music rearrangement copyrights

I am in need of classical music for a film project I'm currently
working on. I was just wondering what the legal stipulations of
rearranging old classical music, (Mozart, Bach, etc..) to my liking
would be? For example, If I were to enter in a Mozart arrangement in
a sequencer, then rearrange it, possibly change or add more themes,
variations, and credit it as a variation of the original, performed by
myself.

"Cory" <cdgugler RemoveThis @obscenedistortion.com> wrote in message
news:49b86e6a.0406021153.1778ced5@posting.google.com...
> I am in need of classical music for a film project I'm currently
> working on. I was just wondering what the legal stipulations of
> rearranging old classical music, (Mozart, Bach, etc..) to my liking
> would be? For example, If I were to enter in a Mozart arrangement in
> a sequencer, then rearrange it, possibly change or add more themes,
> variations, and credit it as a variation of the original, performed by
> myself.

It would depend on the arrangement. If the arrangement were old enough, or
if you could somehow get ahold of the original material, then you're safe.
If the arrangement you used was a recent one, you could still be violating
copyright by creating a derivative work of a copyrighted arrangement.

In any case, the original works are no longer protected and completely safe
to use - assuming you can find a copy of the original, that is...