The following is a guest blog by Charlotte Stephens, MLS Candidate, University of Kentucky, who spent a week supporting the work of the Library’s Music Division as part of her academic study. As a master’s student of library science, the Library of Congress has always loomed large for me. The size and scope of the …
During last Sunday’s Oscars, many were quick to note the parallels between Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken” and Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” from the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. ”The “Ken Dance” took many cues from pop culture and vintage Hollywood to play on gender stereotypes. However, there was …
Drawing from the recently processed Barry Sisters Papers housed in the Library of Congress Music Division, archivist Maya Lerman introduces the Barry Sisters vocal duo and their artistic contribution to the development of "Yiddish Swing."
Celebrate Rossini's leap day birthday with a close-up look at his original manuscript for his Septet for two flutes, clarinet, and string quartet, recently acquired by the Library of Congress and now available to view and download online.
Stephanie Akau, the music archivist who processed the Shirley Horn Papers for the Library of Congress Music Division, contributes a brief biography of Horn, illustrated with materials from the collection: scrapbook, jazz performance program, and photographs.
Never lacking romance, the musicals of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are often known for their love songs, such as the soaring “Some Enchanted Evening” from “South Pacific” and the cheeky “People May Say We’re in Love” from “Oklahoma!”. But not everybody wants to be reminded of fairytale romances and star-crossed soulmates—especially on Valentine’s …
Home to the George and Ira Gershwin Collection, the Library of Congress celebrates the 100th birthday of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with a special concert and a look at how the Library's collections tell the story of the work's creation and reception.
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 …
An event took place at the Library on Friday, January 12, 2024, in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland and the Phillips Collection, about the American painter, poet, pianist, and composer Louis Eilshemius. This blog post explores the Music Division's display as if you were there, too!