Concerts from the Library of Congress launches an exciting, yearlong America 250 celebration this January, presenting a broad panorama of the nation’s music in concerts and conversations, lectures, film screenings, educational programs and more.
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 visual 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. Learn about this new book and where to catch the authors on book tour this coming winter and spring.
Meet Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge and the story behind 100 years of free concerts in the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress. Mrs. Coolidge's fascinating life and her support of chamber music in the United States is now fully discoverable through the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation Collection held by Music Division.
As the Concerts from the Library of Congress series approaches the final months of its centennial celebration, staff will share several memorable episodes from the series’ history here on "In the Muse." The first in this series recounts the famous story of how Joseph Szigeti, one of the great violinists of the twentieth century, and composer Béla Bartók came to connect with the Library.
Concerts from the Library of Congress presents a 15-event lineup for the fall 2025 season, wrapping up its successful 18-month centennial celebration with a rich mix of classical, jazz and pop concerts, lectures, conversations and special projects that salute the distinguished history of the series.
In honor of Maurice Ravel's 150th anniversary, learn more about his "Chansons madécasses," a set of three songs accompanied by flute, cello, and piano, commissioned by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge after establishing her foundation at the Library of Congress in 1925.
As our 100th season enters its last few weeks, we are excited to invite you to a new music weekend, with an enticing pair of concerts featuring new and recently composed music. First, on Friday, May 30 at 8 p.m., loadbang will join us for a concert that will feature three Library of Congress commissions. …
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.
Enjoy recently released event videos from the 2024-2025 season of Concerts from the Library of Congress. Highlights include a conversation with Tony Award-winner Leslie Odom Jr., lectures by Christoph Wolff and Harvey Sachs, Renée Fleming's appearance at the 2024 National Book Festival, AMS lectures, Henry Mancini at 100 events, and numerous pre-concert conversations with artists.
