Archive for the Concerts Category (68 posts)

ASCAP “We Write the Songs” 2013

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The Carolina Chocolate Drops perform “Country Girl” at the 2013 ASCAP “We Write the Songs” concert in the Coolidge Auditorium.
Photo/ Abby Brack Lewis

 

On Tuesday night the Library of Congress hosted the annual ASCAP “We Write the Songs” concert that celebrates the Library’s partnership with The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, a non-profit organization that handles licensing and royalties for songwriters. In 2010 the first “We Write the Songs” concert was produced as a celebration of the Music Division’s acquisition of the ASCAP archives and the tradition has continued on an annual basis since that first show. Songwriters come and perform their own hits after providing some insight and anecdotes that reveal something about their own songwriting process.

Jim Weatherly performs “Midnight Train to Georgia” at the 2013 ASCAP “We Write the Songs” concert in the Coolidge Auditorium. Photo Abby Brack Lewis

 

The ASCAP concert is always a fun evening at the Library of Congress, so I considered myself lucky to work at the event last night and see the show. ASCAP President Paul Williams kicked off the evening as Master of Ceremonies by singing “You and Me Against the World” and warming the crowd up with his infectious humor. Performances ranged from a touching rendition of “The Way We Were” by the song’s award-winning lyricist Alan Bergman to rousing music from the Carolina Chocolate Drops and everything in between. Jim Weatherly entertained us with the story of how a phone conversation with Farrah Fawcett about her taking the “midnight plane to Houston” sparked what would become his smash hit “Midnight Train to Georgia” recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips. And of course, we were all uplifted by Siedah Garrett’s performance of “Man in the Mirror.” Countless other stories and performances made up what turned out to be a lovely and fun-filled night in Coolidge Auditorium.

The concert was recorded and will be accessible as a video on the Library of Congress YouTube channel in the coming months; until then, enjoy videos of the ASCAP “We Write the Songs” concerts from 2010, 2011, and 2012, and check out a few photos from this week’s event!

Siedah Garrett performs “Man in the Mirror” at the 2013 ASCAP “We Write the Songs” concert in the Coolidge Auditorium. Photo/ Abby Brack Lewis

Charles Strouse and Liz Calloway perform “Tomorrow” at the 2013 ASCAP “We Write the Songs” concert in the Coolidge Auditorium. Photo/ Abby Brack Lewis

 

 

 

 

 

 

Composer and Conductor John Adams in Residence at the Library

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Distinguished American composer and conductor John Adams (b. 1947) will be in residence at the Library of Congress from May 22-25, 2013. Made possible by the Dina Koston and Roger Shapiro Fund for New Music, Adams has worked with Concerts from the Library of Congress to develop a unique series of programs that both honor …

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A Rameaukin of Rameau’s kin

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On Saturday afternoon the Coolidge Collective (my new name for our dedicated audience) will descend on the Library for a fête du clavecin, served by the great harpsichordist and founder/director of Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset. The program will include a delectable assortment of harpsichord works both familiar and less so, featuring music by François …

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An Evening of Song with Gabriel Kahane and Timothy Andres

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This Friday, April 5, the Library of Congress is excited to host singer-songwriter/composer/musician Gabriel Kahane with pianist-composer Timothy Andres as the two artists present an evening of piano-vocal music that features their own original music alongside that of Bach, Schumann, Britten, Ives, and others. Kahane made an impression in 2006 with his well-known song cycle …

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The Legacy of Civil War Spirituals

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One of the themes resulting from the multitude of Civil War Sesquicentennial commemorations around the country is the notion that the role of African American culture during that great conflict must receive more attention. Both scholarly forums and the general public’s continued dialogue about the war’s enduring impact on American society can provide opportunities to …

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CMA Honors Country Music Legends at the Library

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Country music is at home in the Coolidge Auditorium on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 (8:00 p.m.). Bob DiPiero returns to host the latest installment of the Country Music Association Songwriters Series, which features country music legends Ronnie Milsap, Loretta Lynn “Lorrie” Morgan and Jim Beavers. These award-winning artists bring their talent and musical innovation together …

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The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Chamber Players at the Coolidge Auditorium

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The musicians of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”return to the Coolidge Auditorium on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., under the baton of Major Tod A. Addison, director of the U.S. Army Strings. This program features a chamber ensemble element from the larger organization in works by three major American composers, George …

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LIBRARY LATE Returns with Theo Bleckmann and Ben Monder

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This Thursday, February 28 (10:00 p.m.) marks the return of Library Late, featuring vocalist/composer Theo Bleckmann and guitarist/composer Ben Monder. Bleckmann and Monder form a unique duo that traverses a sound spectrum embracing John Mercer, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Webb, and original works from both artists. Innovators in the worlds of song, jazz and new music, …

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Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust to Commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial at the Library of Congress

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  On February 27, 2013 (12:00-1:30 p.m.) Drew Gilpin Faust, the 28th President of Harvard University and Lincoln Professor of History in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in a conversation with Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Ric Burns. This keynote event is presented in conjunction with the …

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