Classical to Romantic · 1770–1827
Beethoven music for your video — 9 recordings, licensed once
Is Beethoven public domain? The compositions are — Beethoven died in 1827, more than 70 years ago. The recordings are not: every recording carries its own rights, held by its performers and producer. Using Beethoven in a video therefore needs a licence for the recording you use. Here are 9 Beethoven recordings that Artyfile licenses directly: €29.90 once per track, worldwide and for life, with a licence certificate as proof.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827, born in Bonn, died in Vienna) bridged the Classical and the Romantic era and kept composing after he had lost his hearing. Für Elise, the Moonlight Sonata and the Pathétique are the piano pieces every audience recognises; his symphonies stand for struggle and triumph.
Listen: Beethoven in Artyfile recordings
Every recording €29.90 once · worldwide, for life · instant WAV
Beethoven Sonate No. 8 in C minor Op 13 Pathetique 3 Rondo Allegro
Artyfile
Beethoven Sonate No. 8 in C minor Op 13 Pathetique 2 Adagio
Artyfile
Beethoven Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op 13 Pathetique 1 Grave
Artyfile
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, 3rd Movement
Artyfile Orchestra
All 9 Beethoven recordings
Original work = the composition as written. New arrangement = a newly composed arrangement, a protected work of its own; the Artyfile licence covers both.
| Recording | Performed by | Version | Suited for | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beethoven: Für Elise | Artyfile Orchestra | Original work | Film & TV, Fashion & luxury, Wedding & love story | €29.90 |
| Beethoven Sonate No. 8 in C minor Op 13 Pathetique 3 Rondo Allegro | Artyfile | Original work | Film & TV, Trailer & promo | €29.90 |
| Beethoven Sonate No. 8 in C minor Op 13 Pathetique 2 Adagio | Artyfile | Original work | Film & TV, Wedding & love story, Fashion & luxury | €29.90 |
| Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata | Paul Lang | Original work | Film & TV, Meditation, yoga & spa, Video games | €29.90 |
| Beethoven Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op 13 Pathetique 1 Grave | Artyfile | Original work | Film & TV, Trailer & promo, Documentary | €29.90 |
| Beethoven: Variation on a Mozart Theme | Artyfile Orchestra | Original work | Fashion & luxury, Podcast & background, Film & TV | €29.90 |
| Beethoven: String Quartett, Op. 59 | Artyfile Orchestra | Original work | Trailer & promo, Film & TV, Sports & fitness | €29.90 |
| Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, 3rd Movement | Artyfile Orchestra | Original work | Trailer & promo, Sports & fitness, Video games | €29.90 |
| Beethoven: Symphony No. 1, 2nd Movement | Artyfile Orchestra | Original work | Film & TV, Trailer & promo, Documentary | €29.90 |
Is Beethoven’s music public domain?
- The composition
- Public domain — Beethoven died in 1827. Protection ends 70 years after the composer’s death; the works are free in the EU, the UK and the US. Anyone may perform, arrange and re-record them.
- The recording
- Protected in its own right — by the related rights of its performers and producer. A recording from Spotify, a CD or YouTube can’t simply be cut into your video, even though the composition is free. The Artyfile recordings you license directly: €29.90 once, or own a numbered 1% share of the master from €69.90.
Work by work with death years: public-domain classical rights table · for one specific piece: music copyright checker
Beethoven in video: which piece for which scene
- Intimate piano: Für Elise, the Moonlight Sonata and the Adagio of the Pathétique — memorial slideshows, nostalgia, quiet brand stories, beds under a voice-over.
- Drama and drive: the Grave and the Rondo of the Pathétique and the Scherzo of the Eroica (Symphony No. 3) — sports, trailers, the moment everything turns.
- Gentle orchestra: the Andante of the Symphony No. 1 — calm openings, nature, heritage brands.
- Chamber elegance: the String Quartet Op. 59 and the variations on a Mozart theme — period dramas, museums, premium products.
What the licence covers
- Basic, €29.90 once: worldwide, lifetime sync rights for videos, ads, social media, film and broadcast, client work included. Instant WAV, invoice and licence certificate as proof.
- Limited Edition, from €69.90: everything in Basic plus a numbered 1% share of the master in the Artyfile register — with a share of this recording’s revenue, which may be zero.
- YouTube: Artyfile uses YouTube Content ID with a monetization policy. A claim may appear; it is not a copyright strike. With Basic, ad revenue claimed for the music goes to Artyfile, not to your channel.
- Public playback: Sync and master rights cover embedding this recording in your audiovisual projects. Public playback may require separate permission or collection-society fees from the venue or operator.
More composers
MozartBachHandelGriegTchaikovskyMussorgskyVivaldi
Related collections
Classical music for videos →Piano music for video →Dark orchestral music →
Frequently asked questions
Is Beethoven’s music public domain?
The compositions are: Beethoven died in 1827, more than 70 years ago, so the works are public domain in the EU, the UK and the US. Recordings are a different matter — every recording is protected in its own right by the related rights of its performers and producer. To use Beethoven in a video you need a licence for the recording, for example one of the 9 Artyfile recordings from €29.90.
Can I use Beethoven in a YouTube video?
Yes, with a licensed recording. Artyfile uses YouTube Content ID with a monetization policy. A claim may appear; it is not a copyright strike. With Basic, ad revenue claimed for the music goes to Artyfile, not to your channel. With Limited Edition you share in it according to your master share. A recording taken from Spotify, a CD or another YouTube video is not licensed for your video, even though Beethoven’s composition is public domain.
How much does it cost to license a Beethoven recording?
€29.90 once per recording (Basic): worldwide, lifetime sync rights for videos, ads, social media, film and broadcast, with an invoice and a licence certificate. With Limited Edition you own a numbered 1% share of the master from €69.90.
Which Beethoven works can I license from Artyfile?
Currently 9 recordings, including Für Elise, the Moonlight Sonata, all three movements of the Pathétique, the Scherzo of the Eroica and the String Quartet Op. 59. Each recording has its own page with a preview and the licence.
Can I play Beethoven in my shop, restaurant or at an event?
That is public performance, not sync. Sync and master rights cover embedding this recording in your audiovisual projects. Public playback may require separate permission or collection-society fees from the venue or operator. The Artyfile licence covers embedding the recording in your own videos.
Sources & note
- EU term of protection: life + 70 years (Directive 2006/116/EC)
- EU sound recordings and performers: 70 years from release (Directive 2011/77/EU)
- UK: Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, s. 12–13A
- US: Public Domain Day 2026 (Duke CSPD)
General information, not legal advice. As of October 2026.