Download MusicXML scores from the Public Domain
Although the major publishers make digitized scores available in PDF format, dynamic formats - such as MusicXML and MIDI - can be very useful in many situations. Fortunately, many online libraries offer sheet music in MusicXML and MIDI formats. All of them specialize in different genres. Naturally, the first thing you need to do to find a tune is Google. Simply search for the title of a piece, followed by the name of the desired format (e.g. "String Quartet No.3 Op.18 No.3 by Beethoven, Ludwig Van Music XML"). If your Google search was unsuccessful, or if you're not looking for a particular track but prefer to browse an online catalog, we've carefully selected the best platforms for you.
Musicalion
Musicalion is a library offering both public domain scores and self-published works. The main aim is to offer composers, copyists and musicians from all over the world a platform for sharing their music. In this way, Musicalion aims to facilitate and encourage the exchange of ideas between users. Musicalion offers almost 40,000 works written by 2,500 composers, over 19,000 of which are available in MusicXML format - and the database is growing all the time.
Compositions are available in PDF, MusicXML, MIDI and native formats.
The annual subscription - which costs €30.71 (29,487 users subscribed to date) - enables users to download scores at no extra cost, reproduce them for their own ensemble and use them during their performances.
Musescore
MuseScore is a score-editing software focused on importing and exporting MusicXML files. MuseScore has also created an online community, enabling over two million musicians to share their creations privately or publicly, via downloads, integrated widgets and the MuseScore mobile application. This interactive community also has a social networking aspect, as users can also comment on and share each other's creations. Content includes a wide variety of original compositions and orchestrations, as well as famous songs and pieces. The platform boasts over 17,500 scores, all available for download in MusicXML, MIDI, MP3 and the original MuseScore format. To download tracks, users simply need to create a free profile, which will also enable them to publish up to 5 original tracks online. For users wishing to publish more than 5 tracks online, MuseScore also offers a subscription at €42 per year.
Openscore
OpenScore is a project by MuseScore, which creates interactive scores from public domain scores, free of charge. It's the first project of its kind. It was founded thanks to a Kickstarter campaign. This online platform is very useful for all music professionals and enthusiasts - from musicologists and publishers to music teachers and students. Even experienced composers who write their own medleys, and budding arrangers who want to make copies and send them to their friends, will find something to their liking. What's more, the open-access data is an infinite source of intelligent adaptations for users, gamers, developers and visual artists, as well as the blind and visually impaired.
Although the library is still in its infancy, with only eight tracks to date, we're confident that this creative project has a bright future ahead of it. Downloads are available in MuseScore, MusicXML, PDF, MIDI, MP3 and Braille formats.
The Mutopia Project
The Mutopia Project offers free classical music scores that can be edited, printed, copied, distributed, used during performances and recorded. All pieces on the platform are either in the public domain or licensed under Creative Commons. The database was created by a team of volunteers who compose the tracks using LilyPond software. Mutopia offers over 2098 scores in PDF, MIDI and LilyPond editable formats.
The Choral Public Domain Library
The Choral Public Domain Library (CPDL) is one of the world's largest online score libraries, specializing in choral music. Launched in 1998, most of the scores are modern editions, based on older works whose copyright has expired. However, the platform also hosts original scores, offered for download by the composer himself.
CPDL offers no fewer than 27,872 songs, choral and vocal works by over 2,932 composers. Scores are available in PDF, MIDI and MusicXML formats, and often include text, lyrics, translations and composer information.
Kunstderfuge
Kunstderfuge was founded in 2002. Its online collection contains traditional folk music, medieval and renaissance music, sacred music and a catalog of perforated piano tapes from notable pianists of the Golden Age. This music library offers over 19,300 MIDI and PDF files by classical composers. Users can download five files per day free of charge, and can upgrade to a "lifetime subscription" of €21.16 for unlimited downloads.
