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By: Libby Smigel
A fitting blog post for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations on July 4th, Morgen Stevens-Garmon, senior music archivist in the Library of Congress Music Division, reminisces about a favorite Broadway show, "1776," and other musicals set during the American Revolution.
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Stacey Jocoy
May 29 marks the birthday of film and concert music composer Erich Korngold, whose papers are held by the Music Division. Learn more about this important twentieth century composer.
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Heather Darnell
The following is a guest post by Reference Librarian and early music specialist, Dr. Stacey Jocoy. The Library of Congress is pleased to announce Henry Purcell: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress, a new research guide dedicated to one of the Baroque era’s most influential composers. Often called the “English Orpheus,” Purcell …
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Claudia Morales
On December 15, 2024, the music world celebrated the 88th birthday of "El Sonero Mayor," the legendary ten-time Grammy winner, NEA Jazz Master, American pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader and social advocate, Eddie Palmieri. As the community honors his remarkable life and legacy, we are thrilled to share highlights from our recent conversation before his performance at the historic Coolidge Auditorium on October 18, 2024.
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Claudia Morales
Library of Congress Announces Spring 2025 Concert Series. Concerts from the Library of Congress continues to celebrate a century of landmark concerts in spring 2025, offering a rich and diverse kaleidoscope of classical music, jazz, pop, folk and dance events, with a major focus on American contemporary voices across genres.
Posted in: In The Muse
In this guest blog, Senior Music Specialist Ray White discusses the Music Division's recent acquisition of "Last Rites and Matins of the Dead" (ca. 1375-1425), which represents liturgical text, traditions and music of the "Triduum," a three-day period (that includes Halloween and Día de los Muertos) focused on honoring the departed in Western Christian faiths.
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Heather Darnell
On June 27, 2024, actor and comedian Jim Belushi visited the Library of Congress, where he received a special tour of the collections of the Music Division, Recorded Sound Division and American Folklife Center. Belushi took part in “Live! At the Library: The House of Blues Moves into the Library of Congress,” an event celebrating …
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Heather Darnell
It’s the summer of 2018, and I’ve once again found myself at the Marina in Corpus Christi, TX, sitting with my father on his sailboat. Guitars in hand, we are playing a special concert for the seagulls and pelicans, our only true fans. The vibrations of our strings loft into the air in perfect harmony …
Posted in: In The Muse
By: David Plylar
The Zéphyros Winds will be joined by Audrey Andrist tomorrow (June 15, 2024) in a concert of mid-century works featuring the music of Irving Fine, whose collection resides at the Library of Congress. As an advocate of the wind quintet medium, I am particularly excited that this program will include the premiere of a new …
Posted in: In The Muse
By: Heather Darnell
Never lacking romance, the musicals of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are often known for their love songs, such as the soaring “Some Enchanted Evening” from “South Pacific” and the cheeky “People May Say We’re in Love” from “Oklahoma!”. But not everybody wants to be reminded of fairytale romances and star-crossed soulmates—especially on Valentine’s …
Posted in: In The Muse