The article celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress, highlighting its rich history of hosting renowned musicians, commissioning iconic works like Copland's Appalachian Spring, and housing rare instruments like Stradivarius violins and cellos, serving as a vital cultural and musical landmark for a century.
Joe Hickerson, a renowned folk singer, songwriter, and archivist at the Library of Congress for over 25 years, passed away at age 89. He played a key role in preserving and expanding America's folk music collection, memorized hundreds of traditional songs, and was influential in the folk revival, also performing and recording his own music. His work helped keep America's folk traditions alive for future generations.
The Library of Congress has acquired over 5,000 items from Stephen Sondheim, including manuscripts, sketches, and ephemera from his renowned musicals, providing valuable resources for researchers and inspiring future songwriters.
A judge denied the request of ousted copyright chief Shira Perlmutter to be reinstated, as she challenges President Trump's authority to fire her and appoint acting officials at the Library of Congress, leading to ongoing legal and political disputes.
The Library of Congress has added 25 new recordings to its National Recording Registry, including works by ABBA, The Notorious BIG, Blondie, and others, based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. These additions, which must be at least a decade old, aim to preserve the diverse sounds of American history and culture, with selections ranging from the 1919 "Clarinet Marmalade" to The Chicks' "Wide Open Spaces" from 1998.
The National Recording Registry of The Library of Congress has added 25 new inductees, including iconic albums such as ABBA's "Arrival," Green Day's "Dookie," and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die." The selections, chosen for their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance, also include works from various genres and eras, such as Gene Autry's "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and Blondie's "Parallel Lines." The public can submit nominations for future inductees, and this year's selections bring the total number of titles on the registry to 650.
The Library of Congress has announced its 2024 selections for the National Recording Registry, honoring 25 recordings that represent a diverse range of musical genres and cultural significance. The list includes iconic artists such as ABBA, The Notorious B.I.G., and Green Day, as well as historic recordings like a 1919 jazz piece and a 1928 "ethnic music" recording. The selections span from folk and jazz to hip-hop and punk, showcasing the rich tapestry of American music history.
The Library of Congress celebrated the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with a sold-out concert featuring the U.S. Air Force Band and pianist Simone Dinnerstein. The piece, which blends jazz and classical music, debuted in 1924 and has since become a cultural icon. The Library of Congress showcased the piece with an exhibit featuring materials from the past century, including handwritten lyric sheets and photographs from the George and Ira Gershwin collection.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the renowned songwriting duo, have been awarded the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress. This honor recognizes their legendary contributions to music, making them the third pair of artists to receive the award since its establishment in 2007. The celebrated musicians, known for hits like "Tiny Dancer" and "Rocket Man," expressed their gratitude for the recognition, with a televised tribute concert scheduled for April 8th.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin are set to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, with a tribute concert scheduled for March 20 and a broadcast on PBS stations starting on April 8. The songwriting duo will be honored for their impact and achievement in popular music, joining past recipients such as Joni Mitchell, Lionel Ritchie, and Paul McCartney. Both John and Taupin expressed their gratitude and excitement for the prestigious recognition.
Home Alone and Terminator 2: Judgment Day are among the 25 films added to the 2023 Library of Congress National Film Registry, joining the ranks of influential movies. The selection reflects America's cultural heritage and includes films such as Apollo 13, Lady and the Tramp, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and 12 Years A Slave. The films were chosen from over 6,800 submissions, with Home Alone and Terminator 2 receiving significant support from fans. The National Film Registry now consists of 875 titles, with a television special showcasing this year's additions scheduled for December 14.
The holiday movie classics "Home Alone" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" have been added to the National Film Registry, joining 23 other films selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. The registry recognizes films of cultural, historic, or aesthetic importance. Other notable additions include "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," "Lady and the Tramp," and "12 Years a Slave." The films will be screened at the Library of Congress in December.
The Library of Congress's National Film Registry has added 25 films to its collection, including "Bamboozled" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," which were initially met with mixed reviews but later recognized for their groundbreaking nature. Other additions include "Apollo 13," "Twelve Years a Slave," "Home Alone," and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." The films were chosen for their historical, cultural, or aesthetic significance, with nominations coming from both experts and the public.
Netflix will be hosting a special screening of "All the Light We Cannot See" at the Library of Congress on November 1, featuring a conversation with author Anthony Doerr, director Shawn Levy, and producer Joe Strechay. The screening will include open audio descriptions and captions to provide a unique experience for blind audiences. The film, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, follows the story of a blind French girl and a teenager enlisted by Hitler's regime during World War II.
The Tony-winning musical "Hadestown" has made history by donating posters, recordings, and handwritten lyrics to the Library of Congress while still in its original Broadway run. This is the first time a musical has donated so many developmental documents and artifacts to the institution. The inclusion of "Hadestown" in the library's music division collection highlights its literary ambitions and its important place in musical theater history. The library aims to document, preserve, and make accessible the evolution of the genre for future generations. The cast of "Hadestown" celebrated the occasion by performing at the library for an audience of 500 students.