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Category: Musical instruments

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New BARD Additions: February 2024

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

This month, the NLS Music Section has added many new titles to BARD (Braille Audio Reading Download). Read on to find out what new digital braille and audio selections are available on your computer, tablet, or smartphone!

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Song Stories: Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday”

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

For this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, we learn the story behind Stevie Wonder's song, "Happy Birthday."

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Hidden Gems of the NLS Collection: Francis Poulenc’s Sonata for Flute and Piano

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

For this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, learn more about one of our newest items acquired via the Marrakesh Treaty: Francis Poulenc's Sonata for Flute and Piano. Commissioned by the Library of Congress and dedicated to Jean-Pierre Rampal , the Sonata has become a standard in the repertoire.

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Hidden Gems of the NLS Collection: The Music of Khruangbin

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

For this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, we uncover another "hidden gem" in our collection. Join us for a deep dive into the music of the Texas-based Thai funk band Khruangbin.

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Song Stories: Woody Guthrie’s “Dust Bowl Ballads”

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

Born on July 14, 1912, Woody Guthrie earned the nickname "The Dust Bowl Troubadour" with the 1940 release of "Dust Bowl Ballads." In this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, learn more about the most successful album of Guthrie's career and how it influenced a new generation of artists.

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Schumann’s Character Pieces

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

For this week's NLS Music Notes Blog post, our Braille Music Specialist Timothy Jones discusses Robert Schumann and one of his sets of Character Pieces for piano, "Scenes from Childhood."

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Hidden Gems of the NLS Collection: The Life and Music of Muddy Waters

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

For this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, our "Hidden Gems" series takes us to the Mississippi Delta as we learn about the life and music of Muddy Waters.

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American Music from A to Z in the NLS Music Collection: H—Hazel Dickens

Posted by: Katie Rodda

This blog post continues the NLS Music Section's series of American Music from A to Z. This week, we take a look at the life and music of Hazel Dickens.

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New BARD Additions: December 2021

Posted by: Brian McCurdy

In this week's NLS Music Notes blog post, we bring you the latest offerings that have been added to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download). Please enjoy this musical feast, and Happy Holidays from the NLS Music Section!