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Posted by: Pat Padua
In a recent interview with Smokey Robinson, recipient of this year‘s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the songwriter told the Music Division about the birth of Motown, which he co-founded with Berry Gordy, Jr. Asked about the crossover appeal of the label, Robinson passed on something that Gordy had said to him: “I’m going to …
Posted in: Concerts and Events, Musicians
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
This week our nation comes together to honor the brave men and women who have made many sacrifices while serving in uniform. As you commemorate their contributions to protecting our freedoms, we invite you to listen to some patriotic music from our collections. “In the Muse” Veterans Day Playlist Eternal Father, Strong to Save [“The …
Posted in: Composers, Holidays, Musicians, Sheet Music, Sound recordings, Special Collections
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Our colleague Michele L. Glymph recently had a chance to sit down with 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honoree Smokey Robinson. Their fascinating conversation will be released in the coming weeks as a video, but we’re pleased to offer you a sneak preview! Interview Excerpt (MG = Michele L. Glymph; SR …
Posted in: Composers, Concerts and Events, Interviews, Musicians, Sound recordings, Staff
Posted by: Pat Padua
This year we’ve lost too many beloved figures in the entertainment world. Among them, the deaths of David Bowie and Prince struck the Music Division particularly hard. These two iconic performers made a lot of great records, and a lot of perhaps less-than-great movies. Many of their films have been screened in area repertory theaters, …
Posted in: Film Music, Musicians
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Explore the series Listen on Saturdays at 9 pm (ET) – WETA Classical 90.9 FM Listen in the car, at home, or online! Check your local listings for broadcasts beyond the Washington, DC area. Listen on-demand 1. Click on this link. 2. Click the “2016 Radio Series” tab. 3. Explore episode listings and click on …
Posted in: Concerts and Events, Curators, Digital Collections, Musicians, Sound recordings, Staff
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 – 8:00 pm [Concert] Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano Coolidge Auditorium, Thomas Jefferson Building Fortepiano phenomenon Kristian Bezuidenhout brings this unique instrument to life in a rare treat for Coolidge audiences. Known for his thoughtful and energetic performances of concerti, Lieder, chamber music and solo repertoire, Bezuidenhout trains his eye on some of …
Posted in: Composers, Concerts and Events, Musical Theater, Musicians, Special Collections, Staff
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following post is co-written with Musical Instruments Curator Carol Lynn Ward-Bamford. Early yesterday morning the world learned of the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, crowned in 1946 and known as the world’s longest-reigning monarch. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and educated in Switzerland and the United States, King Bhumibol was interested in musical performance …
Posted in: Guest bloggers, Musical Instruments, Special Collections
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from Gershwin Archivist Janet McKinney. Dog: composer’s best friend? Sometimes it seems like a novel idea that these revered historical figures would be charmed, comforted, and loved by animals just as the rest of us are. These seemingly larger than life personalities become more relatable when there is …
Posted in: Composers, Guest bloggers, Special Collections
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from Kaitlin (Kate) Doyle, one of the Music Division’s summer Fellows. Dance Curator Libby Smigel introduces her. Meet Kate Doyle, a doctoral candidate specializing in experimental composition and sound for performance art at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Kate spent her summer as a CWRU Fellow …
Posted in: Composers, Dance, Guest bloggers, Special Collections, Women in Music