Typically the copyright of the recordings derives from the copyright of the performance, and only indirectly from that of the original classical piece. Most recordings are copyrighted, but that’s because recording technology only became hugely prevalent during existing copyright terms.
Looking at it another way, an uncreative recording of a classical performance will be copyrighted for a period of time, but after it expires, a recording of the recording won’t add any further copyright. It’s a bit like how a photograph of a public domain painting is uncopyrightable, but a new painting based on the painting might be copyrightable.
Looking at it another way, an uncreative recording of a classical performance will be copyrighted for a period of time, but after it expires, a recording of the recording won’t add any further copyright. It’s a bit like how a photograph of a public domain painting is uncopyrightable, but a new painting based on the painting might be copyrightable.