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Category: Musical Instruments

Photograph of four young musicians playing French Horn during a rehearsal at Interlochen. Black and white photo.

Horn Trios for Spring Days

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

The Concerts from the Library of Congress series embarks on a two-day immersion into the horn trio repertoire this coming weekend. Per usual, we’re pulling out all the stops, with the help of the distinguished Takt Trio (Austin Wulliman, violin, David Byrd-Marrow, horn, and Conor Hanick, piano). Two Library of Congress commissions will receive their …

Fritz Kreisler in three piece suit holding up violin in left hand with bow in right hand. Standing in front of a fireplace and chari.

Queen Elizabeth, Liszt and Instrument Additions Arrive for the Fritz Kreisler Collection

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

The following is a guest post by Carol Lynn Ward-Bamford, Curator of Musical Instruments, and Dr. Frederic Kreisler. Over the past few years Dr. Frederic Kreisler, grandson of the cellist Hugo Kreisler (1884-1929) and grand-nephew of the violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), has generously donated Kreisler family materials and musical instruments to the Fritz …

Elton John seated at red piano with Bernie Taupin standing behind piano. Image of the two men projected on rear screen.

“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

Here in Washington, D.C., we are lucky to have experienced approximately 87% of “lunar coverage” during the 2024 solar eclipse. You can keep the party going tonight. Trade out your eclipse glasses for a pair of rhinestone studded Elton John-style glasses for the broadcast premiere of “Elton John & Bernie Taupin: The Library of Congress Gershwin …

Photo of Eddie Condon in a suit and bowtie holding his Gibson guitar.

Eddie Condon’s Gibson Guitar Finds a New Home at the Library

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

The Library of Congress Music Division is proud to be the new home of guitarist and bandleader Eddie Condon’s Gibson L-7 Plectrum guitar, which was custom made for him in 1965. The guitar (pictured below) features a carved spruce top with a sunburst finish. Donated in 2023 by Maggie Condon, Eddie’s daughter, the guitar is …

Lakecia Benjamin: 2023 Library of Congress Jazz Scholar

Posted by: Claudia Morales

The following is a guest post by 2023 Library of Congress Jazz Scholar and 2024 Grammy Nominee Lakecia Benjamin. In many ways, 2023 was a breakout year for me. I was blessed to be able to perform the music I love, meet new people and experience different countries, languages, and cultures. Most people don’t know …

Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin performing on an alto saxophone in the Coolidge Auditorium. Wearing a gold jacket and white top.

Now Streaming: January 2024 Edition

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

The Library of Congress is proud to offer free digital programming from its collections for the enjoyment of audiences that are not able to attend our live events in Washington, D.C. The Music Division works with colleagues throughout the Library to ensure that past events in the Concerts from the Library of Congress series, educational …

Chief Adjuah, a Journey to New Orleans

Posted by: Claudia Morales

This December Chief  Adjuah takes the stage at the Coolidge Auditorium (Friday, December 1 at 8 p.m.). Known for his dynamic and genre-defying music, Chief Adjuah will perform his latest studio-recorded album, “Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lighting.” Chief Adjuah’s upcoming performance marks the first of two scheduled artists this season, both contributing to a …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Concerts from the Library of Congress Announces Fall 2022 Concert Series

Posted by: David Plylar

It feels great to be able to announce the full return of Concerts from the Library of Congress to the Coolidge Auditorium! We have a wonderful series planned for you this year, to be revealed in two parts. You can read the press release for the fall segment here. While we will continue to have …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Reflecting on Jazz with New Resources from the Library of Congress

Posted by: Claudia Morales

The following is a blog post from first author Kaleena Black and co-author Claudia Morales. It was published on NAFME “Music Educators Journal”– September 2021 issue Kaleena Black is an Educational Resources Specialist at the Library of Congress.  She can be reached at [email protected]. Claudia Morales is a Concert Producer at the Library of Congress.  She …