Last night I watched the host of Animal Planet’s River Monsters spend three hours trying to land a giant freshwater stingray. And I wondered, what might we have in the Music Divisions coffers that conveys such adventure and derring-do? I had to look no further than the Federal Theater Project collection, subject of the exhibit …
The results of last week’s World Beard and Mustache Championship provides a hirsute backdrop to this week’s featured sheet music. Our esteemed colleagues at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art occasionally blog the praises of historical facial hair, and In the Muse has previously noted the Flickr meme, Great Mustaches of the Library of Congress . …
The following is a guest post from Senior Cataloging Specialist Sharon McKinley, with thanks to fellow staff members Irina Kirchik, Leslie Long, and Jurij Dobczansky. The Library of Congress Chorale will present a free concert of Russian choral masterpieces at noon on Thursday, May 26 in the Library’s Coolidge Auditorium. Conductor Chad Becker and …
Thanks to Acquisitions Specialist Loras Schissel, whom In the Muse interviewed last month, for contributing to this post. Our Pic of the Week depicts two legendary figures whom you might be surprised to know had an occasional working relationship. The Sousa Band enjoyed its longest single engagement as a headlining feature for Charles Dillingham’s New York …
The following is a guest post by Melanie Guitreaux, Reader Services. Louis Moreau Gottschalk (May 8, 1829 – December 18, 1869) was a Creole composer and performer who combined the syncopated music of Louisiana and the Caribbean in a manner that anticipated ragtime and jazz. As a child growing up in New Orleans, Gottschalk experienced many …
The following is a guest post from Theater Specialist Walter Zvonchenko. Among the most significant collections acquired by the Library of Congress in very recent time is the Oliver Smith Collection of theatrical design, now in the custody of the Music Division. One of the most highly regarded and sought after stage designers of the …
The following is a guest post from Head of Acquisitions & Processing Dr. Denise Gallo. Although the Mason-Dixon Line originated in the 1760s to resolve a border conflict between the colonies of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware, the role it assumed in the Civil War was deeply cultural and philosophical. To its north lay the states …
Along with some great music, I heard a lot of great stories at Tuesday night’s ASCAP concert, from distinguished Congressmen and legendary songwriters alike. But one of the best stories came from a Library co-worker, who was thoroughly excited that I took her picture with Hal David after the concert ended. Galina Teverovsky, a technician …
It’s been an especially busy week here in the Music Division, and In the Muse will soon bring you exclusive pictures of last night’s all-star ASCAP concert in the Coolidge Auditorium. But it has come to our attention that Google is paying homage to Martha Graham on her birthday with an animation of the iconic dancer. …