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Category: Commissions

Image of a handwritten letter from Bartók to Harold Spivacke on top of the first page of handwritten music for the finale of the composer's fifth string quartet.

A Hungarian Rhapsody: Concerts from the Library of Congress at 100

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

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.

Image of four musicians standing

Library of Congress Announces Fall 2025 Concert Season

Posted by: Claudia Morales

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.

A page from Ravel's music manuscript featuring the first page of music for the second movement.

Ravel and His Chansons Madécasses

Posted by: Cait Miller

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.

Portrait photo of composer Brigitta Muntendorf seated on stool

New Music Weekend at the Library of Congress

Posted by: David Plylar

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. …

Image of Stradivari viola laying on velvet cloth on a table

A Second Stradivari Viola Finds a Home at the Library of Congress

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

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.

View from the Coolidge Auditorium stage looking out at the seats with a Steinway 9-foot piano on stage.

Now Streaming: Leslie Odom Jr., Lectures, and Artist Conversations

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

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.

Brandee Younger standing next to her harp

Reminder: March 12, 2025 Ticket Release for Concerts from the Library of Congress

Posted by: David Plylar

*** Registrations for May-June 2025 events will be available starting at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 12, 2025*** The 100th season of Concerts from the Library of Congress continues with an exciting lineup of concerts through June 2025. Tickets for May and June events will be available starting at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, …

Library of Congress Announces Spring 2025 Concert Series

Posted by: Claudia Morales

Library of Congress Announces Spring 2025 Concert Series. Concerts from the Library of Congress continues to celebrate a century of landmark concerts in spring 2025, offering a rich and diverse kaleidoscope of classical music, jazz, pop, folk and dance events, with a major focus on American contemporary voices across genres.