The Library of Congress Music Division announces in the acquisition of the 1690 Tuscan-Medici viola made by Antonio Stradivari. Now rechristened Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1690, viola, Fulton, ex Baird, Tuscan-Medici, the acquisition was made possible through an extraordinary gift to the nation from David and Amy Fulton and the Baird family’s Tuscan Corporation. Learn about this historic addition to the Library's instrument collection.
Curator of the George and Ira Gershwin Collection Ray White discusses the origins of the Gershwins' "Porgy and Bess" in commemoration of the work's 90th anniversary. The Library and Washington National Opera present a concert and panel discussion to celebrate the anniversary on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium.
University of Kentucky MLS candidate Jay Stringer-Vaught discusses a unique item in the Music Division’s collections written by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 to Francis Maria Scala, then-leader of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Also learn about several past appearances by "The President's Own" on the Concerts from the Library of Congress series, which celebrates 100 years in 2025.
In time for the Christmas season, Senior Music Specialist Kate Rivers explores manuscript sources of composer John Adams' opera-oratorio "El Niño." Composed in 2000 and recently presented at the Metropolitan Opera, "El Niño" is widely regarded as a masterwork of contemporary sacred music. Learn about the primary sources related to the work in the John Adams Music Manuscripts and Papers in the Music Division.
Save the date for the return of the Library's concert series to the airwaves on December 30, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET on WETA. Enjoy a broadcast of the February 12, 2024, "Rhapsody in Blue" at 100 concert featuring The U.S. Air Force Band and pianist Simone Dinnerstein. The Library of Congress is home to the George and Ira Gershwin Collection.
Electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick visits the Library this Thursday, December 5 at 5:00 p.m. ET for a special event that will feature a live demonstration of his recently restored, historic Buchla 100 synthesizer. Subotnick, whose papers are held by the Library, will be joined by composer Steve Antosca and members of the Modular Electronic Music Systems (MEMS) team. Attend in person or via livestream (registration required).
Learn about new collection finding aids that have been published by the Library's Music Division. These finding aids provide bibliographic access to the Milton Ager Music Manuscripts, Marvin Hamlisch Papers, Arthur Mendel Correspondence with Igor Stravinsky and Others, Trude Rittmann Papers, William Schuman Music Manuscripts, Robert Wright and George Forrest Papers and more.
While every week at the Library offers something exciting for visitors, researchers and staff, there are certain occasions (like this week) when there is a confluence of musical activity that should perk up everyone's ears. Three major events will grace the Coolidge Auditorium stage, featuring a Broadway and film star, a stellar vocal group that features graduates of the Thomanerchor in Leipzig (that's the chorus that J.S. Bach led at Thomaskirche) and a blockbuster evening of chamber music with the Belcea and Ébène Quartets. Attendees of each event will have a unique chance to see items from the Music Division's collections.
The Music Division commemorates the 160th birthday of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, a trailblazing American philanthropist and musician who founded the Library's concert series and commissioning program, and established the longstanding tradition of public-private philanthropic partnerships at the institution. Explore previous Founder's Day concerts and learn more about this storied titan of American music history.
