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Posted by: Paul Sommerfeld
From his Appalachian Spring ballet score for thirteen instruments (1944), Aaron Copland extracted an orchestral suite in 1945. A third configuration, requested by Eugene Ormandy in 1954, combines elements of both suite and ballet.
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Dance, Guest bloggers, Special Collections
Posted by: Larry Appelbaum
One of the most iconic photographs in jazz was shot on August 4, 1958 outside a brownstone at 17 East 126th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenue in Harlem. The photo was shot by Art Kane and appeared in Esquire Magazine in January of 1959. Somehow Kane managed to gather 57 important jazz musicians to …
Posted in: African American History, Jazz
Posted by: David Plylar
This is a guest blog by Claudia Morales of the Music Division. The Music Division is ready to hit it with Tank and The Bangas this Friday, October 25, 2019, at 8:00 pm. Included in the 2018 list of Rolling Stones “10 New Artists You Need to Know”and winners of 2017 NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest …
Posted in: Baseball, Concerts and Events, Guest bloggers, Musicians
Posted by: David Plylar
You can’t beat the next two weeks of Concerts from the Library of Congress programming, during which we will offer eight musical experiences that showcase a breadth of artistry and perspectives. Here’s a quick run-down so you can make your plans: Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 7pm Montpelier Room, Madison Building “Diversity and the Birth of …
Posted in: Birthdays, Commissions, Composers, Concerts and Events, Interviews, Jazz, Musical Theater, Musicians, New Music, Theater, Women in Music, Women in Theater
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from Ben West, a writer, director, producer, performer, and musical theatre historian. His current stage project is The Show Time! Trilogy, three new documentary musicals charting the evolution and cultural impact of the American musical: Show Time! The First 100 Years of the American Musical, 45 Minutes from Coontown, …
Posted in: Composers, Guest bloggers, Musical Theater, Women in Music, Women in Theater
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
I am happy to introduce Melinda Gonzalez, a full-time intern working with me through December on an inventory of the Music Division’s primary sources related to Latin American composers. Melinda is here in the Music Division through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program (HNIP).
Posted in: Composers, Interviews
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from Retired Music Cataloger Sharon McKinley. My fascination with the Library of Congress collections is unbounded. I’m always running across interesting items, seemingly at random. My latest sheet music find: Zouaves. In a search for something else entirely, I found the “Zouave mazourka.” On the cover was a handsome …
Posted in: Guest bloggers, Sheet Music
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
For National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, let’s dig in with Library of Congress Music Division commissions. Part 2 of this two-part series includes commissioned composers from Spain, Central America, and South America.
Posted in: Commissions, Composers, Latin American History