Top of page
Posted by: Paul Sommerfeld
From his Appalachian Spring ballet score for thirteen instruments (1944), Aaron Copland extracted an orchestral suite in 1945. A third configuration, requested by Eugene Ormandy in 1954, combines elements of both suite and ballet.
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Dance, Guest bloggers, Special Collections
Posted by: David Plylar
You can’t beat the next two weeks of Concerts from the Library of Congress programming, during which we will offer eight musical experiences that showcase a breadth of artistry and perspectives. Here’s a quick run-down so you can make your plans: Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 7pm Montpelier Room, Madison Building “Diversity and the Birth of …
Posted in: Birthdays, Commissions, Composers, Concerts and Events, Interviews, Jazz, Musical Theater, Musicians, New Music, Theater, Women in Music, Women in Theater
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
For National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, let’s dig in with Library of Congress Music Division commissions. Part 2 of this two-part series includes commissioned composers from Spain, Central America, and South America.
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Latin American History
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
Now that it's National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, let's dig in with Music Division commission firsts by country! Part 1 of this two-part series includes commissioned composers from North America and the Caribbean.
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Latin American History
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
On Friday, August 23, 2019, the music community lost a giant – Mario Davidovsky. Mario Davidovsky’s relationship with the Library of Congress Music Division began with three commissioned works at very different stylistic points in his career, and culminated in placing his papers on deposit in 2013.
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, In Memoriam, Jewish American History, New Music
Posted by: Larry Appelbaum
In June of 1996, the Library of Congress presented a “Big Band Bash” at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington DC. Over the course of a weekend, it offered a rare opportunity to present concerts by three important L.A.-based jazz composers and their orchestras: Buddy Collette, Gerald Wilson and Benny Carter. Each composer was offered a …
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Jazz
Posted by: David Plylar
Concerts from the Library of Congress returns for a 95th season, packed with an impressive and richly diverse roster of more than 95 free events, including concerts, lectures, films, panels, conversations with artists and more. 2019-20 is a year of visionary legacies. In February we begin an adventurous and in-depth Beethoven at 250 festival that …
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Concerts and Events, Dance, Film Music, Jazz, Musical Theater, Musicians, New Music, Special Collections, Staff, Women in Music
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
Did you know that the Music Division has been an integral part of creating contemporary music since 1925? In honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to share an impressive list of “firsts” – the first women composers commissioned by each fund in the Library of Congress Music Division!
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Special Collections, Women in Music