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> Even though an old work like that is in the public domain, if it was played as a recording, whoever owns the rights to the recording still has a claim to copyright.

I am aware of that. In this case it was played from sheet music by a professional organist.

> The modifications to the sheet music could grant the person who sold the book a copyright.

Do you have a citation for this?

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https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/when-transcribing-a-publi...

Here's some discussion on the matter that indicates that a transcription can be, but a lot of what I've seen is much like the rest of copyright, and it's a hot mess and very specific to what the circumstances are.

The "might have a claim" about that topic in my original post is pulling a lot of weight for me.

> it was played from sheet music by a professional organist.

I assume the claim didn't come from that organist. But would it be an infringement if it was?

Only if the organist recorded it.

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