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Archive: 2023 (35 Posts)

Leonard Bernstein pictured on the right in a black tuxedo with red pocket square greeting Vice President Walter Mondale (in a black tuxedo), First Lady Rosalynn Carter (in a light colored dress), and President Jimmy Carter (in a black tuxedo). In the background are Lenny's mother Jennie Bernstein and a White House military aide in Navy dress uniform).

Remembering First Lady Rosalynn Carter & Leonard Bernstein

Posted by: Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres

While our nation continues to mourn the loss of First Lady Rosalynn Carter (1927-2023), here in the Music Division, we are reflecting on her lasting relationships with artists, performers, and creators, both during her time in The White House and the decades that followed. America’s civic leaders cross paths with many of the leading musicians, …

Acquisition Highlights for the Past Year – a Top Five List!

Posted by: Cait Miller

This is a guest post from Head of Acquisitions & Processing Vin Novara, with Senior Music Specialists Mark Eden Horowitz, Kate Rivers, and Ray White.   Nick Hornby’s book “High Fidelity” (1995) features an entertaining look at the quirks of people who intensely collect on music. Top five lists feature prominently throughout the work. As …

Photograph of three members of the band Cha Wa

Concerts from the Library of Congress: Announcing the Winter/Spring 2024 Season

Posted by: David Plylar

It is a great pleasure to announce the winter/spring 2024 events of Concerts from the Library of Congress—we have prepared a broad array of concerts, conversations, lectures and films that we are excited to share with you. With 27 events and more to come, there is something for everyone. On February 12 we will begin …

Vinyl record album for "Dionysus and Proserpina" by Anonymous of Greenwich. Album cover features sepia-tone image depicting the gods Dionysys and Proserpina lounging in nature, looking at one another adoringly.

Fakes and Fibs in the Music Division

Posted by: Cait Miller

There are many instances of established composers writing music under unexpected pen names, and the Music Division's special collections hold manuscripts for several such works. Read more about relevant examples from the Charles Wuorinen Papers and the Fritz Kreisler Collection.

Rebel Music Publisher, Honest John Playford at 400!

Posted by: Heather Darnell

The following is a guest post by Music Division Reference Librarian Dr. Stacey Jocoy. If you know the tunes to ”Greensleeves,” ”Lillibullero,” or just about any traditional British tune, you should thank John Playford (1623-1687). Known today primarily for the Playford Dances—originally published as ”The English Dancing Master” in 1650/1, Playford was the most important …

Chief Adjuah, a Journey to New Orleans

Posted by: Claudia Morales

This December Chief  Adjuah takes the stage at the Coolidge Auditorium (Friday, December 1 at 8 p.m.). Known for his dynamic and genre-defying music, Chief Adjuah will perform his latest studio-recorded album, “Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lighting.” Chief Adjuah’s upcoming performance marks the first of two scheduled artists this season, both contributing to a …

It Runs in the Family: Heartwarming Photos from the Music Division

Posted by: Heather Darnell

It’s that time of the year when many Americans gather with their families to cut the turkey, gobble up pumpkin pie, and feel grateful for one another. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let’s look at heartwarming photos our favorite artistic families from the Music Division’s Digital Collections: Sylvia Fine and Danny Kaye   Sylvia Fine …

Woman with dark hair, fancy dress and pearls with eyes closed and mouth slightly open, singing

Be a 2024 Junior Fellow in the Music Division!

Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer

Are you an undergraduate, graduate, or recently graduated higher education student? If you’re also a U.S. citizen, check out the two unique 2024 Junior Fellows projects our staff have put together for this summer! Fellowships are paid full-time positions for 10 weeks. I’m excited to lead the in-person project Mind the Gap: Taking Stock of …