Music Reference Specialist Morgan Davis recaps a lecture delivered by Dr. I Augustus Durham at the Library on June 5, 2025. His lecture, entitled “Marvin Gaye: Melancholy and Genius in Black Culture and Media,” explored the influence of creators such as George and Ira Gershwin, Marian Anderson and Mahalia Jackson, on music from the crime thriller “Trouble Man” scored by Marvin Gaye. This blog includes the video of the lecture.
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.
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.
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.
Discover how manuscripts from the Music Division's Jonathan Larson Collection have shaped the creation of "The Jonathan Larson Project," now running off-Broadway in New York. Senior Music Specialist Mark Eden Horowitz discusses how show creator Jennifer Ashley Tepper's research in the collection led to the creation of this new show that brings to the songs that did not make the final cut for some of Larson's major projects.
