The following post was written in collaboration with Senior Music Specialist Susan Clermont. The label “rock star” tends to conjure images of modern-day bands like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Go-Gos, Queen, or Led Zeppelin. But if we venture further back into the 19th century, virtuoso performing artists like pianist Franz Liszt, bassist Domenico …
Howard University intern Cienna Benn shares her experience work with the papers of distinguished African American opera and concert soprano Jessye Norman
Emily Baumgart helps us celebrate Pride Month with a few LGBTQ+ highlights from our performing arts collections and the announcment of a forthcoming LGBTQ research guide from the Music Division.
The following is a guest post from Archives Processing Technician Dr. Rachel McNellis. In his essay, “The Influence of Peasant Music on Modern Music,” published in 1931, Hungarian composer Béla Bartók (1881–1945) describes the beauty of folk music and its significance to classical composers: “The right type of peasant music is most varied and perfect …
Processing Technician Pam Murrell shines light on the surprisingly ordinary life of a man who would be deemed one of the extraordinary classical composers of syncopated rhythm.
The following is a guest post by Music Division Archivist Dr. Stephanie Akau. Earlier this year Processing Technician Anthony Edwards and I had the privilege of processing the records of the Arsis Press. This music publishing company was founded in 1974 and run solely by intrepid school teacher, social activist, and composer Clara Lyle Boone …
The Music Division is excited to welcome Nashville vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Kandace Springs to the Library of Congress. Springs and her all-women trio will present a virtual performance of her most recent album, “The Women Who Raised Me.” Her program pays tribute to legendary female singers, including Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, and …