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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. …
Posted in: Composers, In Memoriam, Musicians, Special Collections
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 …
Posted in: Composers, Concerts and Events, Curators, Film Music, Musicians, Special Collections
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 …
Posted in: Composers, Special Collections
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
The following is a guest blog by Andrew N. White III, a participant in the Library’s DC Jazz Project, a component of the 2016-2017 Library of Congress Jazz Scholars program. This program is made possible by the Reva and David Logan Foundation. White delivered a lecture-recital at the Library on November 3, 2016 (a video …
Posted in: African American History, Composers, Jazz, Musical Instruments, Musicians
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
The following is a guest post by Jennifer Martyn, a violinist and a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. Her research focuses on the life and career of Amanda Maier. She is particularly interested in Maier’s career as a violinist and how her performances and repertoire can inform us about the …
Posted in: Composers, Musical Instruments, Musicians, Sheet Music, Women in Music
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 …
Posted in: Composers, Holidays, Musicians, Sheet Music, Sound recordings, Special Collections
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Our colleague Michele L. Glymph recently had a chance to sit down with 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honoree Smokey Robinson. Their fascinating conversation will be released in the coming weeks as a video, but we’re pleased to offer you a sneak preview! Interview Excerpt (MG = Michele L. Glymph; SR …
Posted in: Composers, Concerts and Events, Interviews, Musicians, Sound recordings, Staff
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 …
Posted in: Composers, Concerts and Events, Musical Theater, Musicians, Special Collections, Staff
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from Gershwin Archivist Janet McKinney. Dog: composer’s best friend? Sometimes it seems like a novel idea that these revered historical figures would be charmed, comforted, and loved by animals just as the rest of us are. These seemingly larger than life personalities become more relatable when there is …
Posted in: Composers, Guest bloggers, Special Collections