The Library of Congress recently published “Let the People Hear It: Concerts from the Library of Congress at 100” (Library of Congress, 2025). The book provides a vivid journey through the history of the Library’s renowned concert series, which was established in 1925 by philanthropist Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge and Carl Engel, then-chief of the Library’s Music Division. Dedicated to former Music Division Chief Susan H Vita (1942-2025), it captures the impact and vibrancy of the series through the stories of the memorable people, music and moments that have made the Library of Congress an unparalleled destination for live music in the nation’s capital.
Part of the Collection Close-up series, “Let the People Hear It” features 180 photographs, historical documents and unique music manuscripts that demonstrate how the concert series has enriched and preserved America’s musical, dance and theater heritage, all while fostering a community of music lovers that has included everyday Washingtonians, diplomats and even First Ladies of the United States. The book is named after a line in an eightieth birthday tribute that was presented to Mrs. Coolidge on October 30, 1944, the evening that “Appalachian Spring” premiered in her auditorium. It reads in part:
“Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge has done what none before her had found the means to do—she has given the music on the shelves of the Library a living voice and let the people hear it.”
This line embodies Mrs. Coolidge’s vision for the series: to provide the public with access to performances of repertoire both old and new, performed by the some of the greatest living artists. The tribute was signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Vice President Henry A. Wallace, and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, plus the eighth, ninth and tenth librarians of Congress.
The book opens with the story of the founding of the concert series and the building of the Coolidge Auditorium (“Prologue: Mrs. Coolidge Goes to Washington”). “Act I – Performers and Composers” details many of the iconic performances and appearances by major artists and composers of the past 100 years. “Act II – New Horizons” tells of the series’ important role in the Library’s overall programming, the community of supporters and concertgoers that have been an instrumental part of the story and special projects in dance and theater.
What I personally love the most about this book is how it showcases the way the history of the concert series is integrated in our collections. You will see manuscripts of important works commissioned by the series, historic and recent photographs, correspondence, telegrams, and some of our historic instruments. One of my favorite items in the book is a letter from then-Representative John F. Kennedy to Music Division Chief Harold Spivacke requesting tickets for the March 21, 1952, performance of the Budapest String Quartet.
Working on this book project was a joy for me and David Plylar. We began our careers as concert producers in the Music Division in 2012 and it has been an honor to play a small part in making the concerts available to the public (along with all our colleagues in the Concert Office and Music Division). This book provided us with a meaningful opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in the Music Division and Publishing Office to share this special history with readers for generations to come.
Special thanks to the following contributors:
- David Harrington, Founder, Artistic Director and Violinist, Kronos Quartet
- Janet Eilber, Artistic Director, Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance and Company
- Nicholas Kitchen, Violinist, Borromeo String Quartet and Faculty, New England Conservatory
- Anne E. McLean, Senior Producer for Concerts and Special Projects, Music Division, Library of Congress
- Kate Rivers, Senior Music Specialist, Music Division, Library of Congress
- Loras John Schissel, Senior Music Specialist, Music Division, Library of Congress
- Paul Allen Sommerfeld, PhD, Senior Music Reference Specialist, Music Division, Library of Congress
- Carol Lynn Ward-Bamford, Curator of Musical Instruments, Music Division, Library of Congress
We also acknowledge the important work of Cyrilla Barr (1929-2021), whose two books on Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge (“Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge: American Patron of Music” and “The Coolidge Legacy”). are foundational for any study of Concerts from the Library of Congress. Barr’s research materials on Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge are held by the Music Division.
Copies of “Let the People Hear It” are currently available through the Library of Congress Store (in person and online) and through your local bookseller. You can also recommend the title to your local public library for purchase or access it in the Performing Arts Reading Room.
Book talks on “Let the People Hear It” are scheduled for various venues in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country over the coming months (list will be updated as events are added).
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 6 p.m. – East City Bookshop, Washington, D.C. (Hybrid)
- Thursday, January 22, 2026, 4 p.m. – Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
- Saturday, January 24, 2026, 6 p.m. – Politics & Prose Union Market, Washington, D.C.
- Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 11 a.m. – Long Island Library Resources Council (Virtual)
- Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7 p.m. – Salt Lake County Library – West Valley Library, West Valley City, UT
- Thursday, March 5, 2026, 7 p.m. – Hoboken Public Library, Hoboken, NJ
- Friday, March 6, 2026, Time TBA – The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
- Thursday, April 30, 2026, 7 p.m. – Talbot County Free Library, Easton, MD
- Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 6:30 p.m. – Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
“Let the People Hear It: Concerts from the Library of Congress” was made possible by the Verna and Irving Fine Endowment in the Library of Congress.