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Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
University of Kentucky MSLS graduate Jay Stringer-Vaught describes their time researching in the Music Division's collections as part of an Alternative Spring Break Program. Stringer-Vaught describes the "extraordinary" experience of seeing some of Stephen Sondheim's papers—recently acquired by the Library—up close.
Posted in: Composers, Guest bloggers, Musical Theater
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
In commemoration of the Library's acquisition of the Stephen Sondheim Collection, Senior Music Specialist Mark Eden Horowitz reflects on the work and legacy of Stephen Sondheim.
Posted in: American history, Composers, Curators, LGBTQ+, Musical Theater, Musicians, New Acquisitions, Special Collections, Webcasts
Posted by: Stacey Jocoy
May 29 marks the birthday of film and concert music composer Erich Korngold, whose papers are held by the Music Division. Learn more about this important twentieth century composer.
Posted in: Birthdays, Composers, Special Collections, Uncategorized
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. …
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Concerts and Events, Electronic Music, Instrumentalists, Musicians, New Music
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.
Posted in: American history, Commissions, Composers, Concerts and Events, Instrumentalists, Music Division history, Musical Instruments, Musicians, New Acquisitions, New Music, Special Collections
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
Curator of the George and Ira Gershwin Collection Ray White discusses the origins of the Gershwins' "Porgy and Bess" in commemoration of the work's 90th anniversary. The Library and Washington National Opera present a concert and panel discussion to celebrate the anniversary on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium.
Posted in: African American History, American history, Composers, Concerts and Events, Curators, Musical Theater, Special Collections, Staff
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.
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Concerts and Events, Curators, Digital Collections, Instrumentalists, Interviews, Jazz, Musical Instruments, Musicians, Staff, Webcasts
Posted by: Claudia Morales
The Music Division is excited to present the premieres of two newly commissioned works by renowned living women composers, Tania León and Jlin.
Posted in: African American History, American history, Arrangers, Commissions, Composers, Concerts and Events, Conductors, Electronic Music, Latin American History, Music Division history, Musicians, New Acquisitions, New Music, Women in Music
Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres
University of Kentucky MLS candidate Jay Stringer-Vaught discusses a unique item in the Music Division’s collections written by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 to Francis Maria Scala, then-leader of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Also learn about several past appearances by "The President's Own" on the Concerts from the Library of Congress series, which celebrates 100 years in 2025.
Posted in: American history, Arrangers, Composers, Concerts and Events, Conductors, Instrumentalists, Musicians, Sheet Music, Special Collections