Robert Nathaniel Dett: In the Bottoms.

[M.J.E.]

Hallo.

     I'm new posting here, and I thought I'd name something I'd really like to see posted if that is possible and anyone has it. It's Canadian composer Robert Nathaniel Dett's suite of 5 piano pieces "In the Bottoms". I have wanted to play these for maybe 20 years, but have only ever found one of the pieces, which is Percy Grainger's edition of "Juba" (one of the movements).

     I'm sorry, but I haven't followed one of the suggestions given for posting here: namely, to make sure the piece is in the public domain before requesting it. It's just that I have no idea how to find out whether it is or not - I think it may be old enough to be, and it is almost certainly long out of print now - but I don't know if the publication year is the only relevant factor. I have an idea that you almost have to be a copyright lawyer to tell for sure whether something is in the public domain or not - and I'm afraid I don't have the time or expertise to be lawyer on such things.
     So I'm hoping someone else knows whether this particular composition is in the public domain.
     Thanks.

Regards, Michael.

[KGill]

You certainly don't have to be a lawyer to determine copyright status - see this page for a simple summary of laws in Canada, the US, and the EU. In the Bottoms was published in 1913 by C. F. Summy, and this edition (not edited by Grainger) is in the public domain in the US and Canada (and could therefore be uploaded to IMSLP).

[Carolus]

It's available in reprint from Masters Music. You should be able to find it at Sheet Music Plus. It's PD in Canada, the USA and possibly the EU, so anyone who has a copy can scan and post here.

[M.J.E.]

     I've just noticed that the piece has already been posted. Thanks, Hobbypianist, for that - it's good to have this. I haven't tried it yet because I haven't yet printed it out; but I read through the score, and was surprised at how much of it I recognized, considering that I have probably not heard this for 20 years or so, and probably heard it only a few times back then.
     So thanks for that - much appreciated - very attractive pieces they are.

Regards, Michael.