How does a tiny student side project become the largest classical music library in the world?

In this episode, IMSLP Founder & CEO Edward Guo joins Natalie Nedvetsky for an honest, funny, and surprisingly intimate look at the story behind IMSLP — from its beginnings at NEC to the moment it suddenly exploded across the global classical community.

Edward shares his journey from growing up in China to studying in the U.S., how conservatory culture shaped his thinking, and the exact moment the idea for IMSLP clicked. He and Natalie dive into the early chaos (including the bug that made the site go viral), the realities of running a massive volunteer-driven platform, and the hidden features and quirky corners of IMSLP that even longtime users miss.

The conversation also unpacks the complexities of international copyright, why laws differ so wildly, how cases like Shostakovich illustrate the challenges, and what Edward would change if we rewrote copyright from scratch. They explore IMSLP’s reach, who uses it, and where it might be heading — including the creation of Ludwig, IMSLP’s AI assistant.

The episode closes with rapid-fire Q&A from the IMSLP community, touching on funding, scan quality, score organization, and what inspires Edward to keep this enormous project alive.

If you’ve ever downloaded a score or wondered how IMSLP actually runs, this episode is a must-listen.