Top of page

Category: Special Collections

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

In Memoriam: 2016

Posted by: Pat Padua

With 2016 drawing to a close, anxious music fans may worry that a year that has taken away so many legends may yet give us one more reason to mourn. Starting with the death of Natalie Cole on New Year’s Day, dozens of artists who have provided the soundtracks of our lives died this year. …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Winter/Spring Ticket Release for Concerts from the Library of Congress

Posted by: David Plylar

This post has been modified from an article originally written by Nicholas A. Brown. Tickets for winter and spring Concerts from the Library of Congress events, presented by the Music Division, will be released to the public on Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. via Eventbrite. All concerts, films and lectures are free but require advance …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”: An Illustrated History

Posted by: Cait Miller

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is one of the most popular Christmas carols we hear during the holidays, and one with an especially interesting history involving four creative minds over the span of two centuries. While the history is well documented, source materials in the Library of Congress’s collections provide engaging illustrations detailing the evolution …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Lost Track for the Next Hamilton Mixtape

Posted by: Cait Miller

As a fan of the musical Hamilton, I’ve been listening to The Hamilton Mixtape non-stop since its release last Friday. The new album offers covers of numbers from the original cast recording, new tracks inspired by the musical, numbers cut from the show and even a couple of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s demo tracks. However, it occurs …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Food for Thought: Recipes in the Collections

Posted by: Cait Miller

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up this week, most peoples’ thoughts turn to food and family recipes. It seems like the perfect time to share recipes that rest in the Music Division’s collection. One of the more memorable comes from a 19th-century virtuoso: Paganini’s ravioli! The Music Division is home to a collection of Paganini …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Veterans Day Playlist

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 …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

This Week: Bezuidenhout, Founder’s Day & My Fair Lady

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 …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (1927-2016)

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 …