Performing Arts at the Library of Congress

Born 129 years ago today: the Austrian-American composer and conductor Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957). A child prodigy, Korngold would distinguish himself as the leading composer of operas and symphonic and chamber works of the twentieth century. Korngold and his family narrowly escaped the N**i Anschluss of 1938, and made Hollywood their new American home. Korngold would become one of the most celebrated film-composers of his time. The archive of Erich Wolfgang Korngold is held in the Music Division at the Library of Congress.
Finding Aid for the Erich Wolfgang Korngold Collection: https://findingaids.loc.gov/repositories/15/resources/1481?loclr=fbmus

Image: Korngold’s Warner Brothers identification card.

New on the blog: Joni Mitchell, Carole King and anime! Music Reference Specialist Stacey Jocoy explores “The Pop Will Eat Itself”: American Popular Music, Anime and the Archive.
https://blogs.loc.gov/music/2026/05/the-pop-will-eat-itself-american-popular-music-anime-and-the-archive/?loclr=fbmus

Image: Assorted sheet music by Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Copyright Deposit Sheet Music Collection, Music Division.

Christian McBride and his band performed at the Library on May 15, 2026, as part of the Library's commemoration of America 250. Made possible by the Revada Foundation of the Logan Family. Edmond Joe/Library of Congress

Teaser Tuesday: Did you know composer/conductor/horn player Gunther Schuller was also a visual artist? In a 2009 interview with NewMusic USA, Schuller said that, as a child, he was far more interested in art than music. He particuarly enjoyed depicting nature. These are two examples of Schuller's drawings in his papers, which are currently in processing. https://lccn.loc.gov/2014572564?loclr=fbmus

Image: Untitled pastel drawings of a kiwi bird and an octopus by Gunther Schuller, undated. Gunther Schuller Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress.

Teaser Tuesday: “Isn’t it hellish being a girl?” is the question posed by characters in "Three Tigers for Tessie"—an unproduced musical for Broadway and film—after chronicling the layered undergarments required by early 20th century dresses. With lyrics and music written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, the research and writing for “Tessie” are captured in one of more than 300 workbooks in the Hugh Martin Papers. https://lccn.loc.gov/2015563153?loclr=fbmus

Image: Hugh Martin notes for Three Tigers for Tessie, circa 1955. Hugh Martin Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress.

In April and May 2006, both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States Congress gave unanimous endorsement of their respective resolutions to honor the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as “America’s National Ballet Company.” Today, May 16, 2026, marks the 20th anniversary of the House’s resolution. Learn more: https://blogs.loc.gov/music/2026/05/american-ballet-theatre-americas-national-ballet-company/?loclr=fbmus

Inage: Members of American Ballet Theatre take a curtain call after a performance in Moscow of David Lichine's 1940 work "Graduation Ball" in 1960. Photograph by A. Konkov, Fotokhronika TASS. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.

The Library has announced the 2026 class of the National Recording Registry! Taylor Swift’s transformative pop album “1989,” Beyoncé standout “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It),” The Go-Go's debut album “Beauty and the Beat,” Vince Gill’s signature “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” Weezer’s self-titled debut “Weezer (The Blue Album),” Chaka Khan’s crossover hit “I Feel for You,” and Broadway’s original cast album of “Chicago” have been selected as some of the defining sounds of history and culture that will join the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2026.

Images:
1989 by Taylor Swift (2014). Credit: Big Machine
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) Album Cover by Beyoncé (2008). Credit: Sony

http://newsroom.loc.gov/news/national-recording-registry-inducts-sounds-of-taylor-swift--beyonc---the-go-go-s--vince-gill--weezer/s/bc258688-e655-4ffb-9f91-f32b94956f36?loclr=fbmus

We're still soaring after last night's fabulous concert at the Library, "Close to You: A Celebration of Burt Bacharach." Today happens to be Bacharach's 98th birthday. We were thrilled to be joined by his wife Jane and their children.

The concert featured Music Director Andy Einhorn, featured soloist Liz Callaway, Cassondra James, Danny Kornfeld, Damon Daunno, and Jordan Tyson. Special thanks to the James Madison Council and the Ira and Leonore Gershwin Trust for their support of the event.

Shawn Miller/Library of Congress

Teaser Tuesday: Renowned cellist Emanuel Feuermann recorded Paul Hindemith's Duet for Viola and Cello with the composer in January 1934. Hindemith gifted the manuscript to Feuermann the following year on the occasion of his marriage. https://lccn.loc.gov/2014572450?loclr=fbmus

Image: "Duet for viola and cello," by Paul Hindemith, 1934. Emanuel Feuermann Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress.

The Music Division is honored to be at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music - CCM this weekend with the Stradivari 1690 Fulton, ex-Baird, Tuscan-Medici viola. The instrument is being used in several educational programs and performances featuring Roberto Díaz. https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2026/05/ccm-presents-a-weekend-event-to-celebrate-violist-roberto-diaz.html

Special thanks to University of Cincinnati Public Safety for their support of the visit.

Image: Roberto Díaz rehearses on the Stradivari 1690 viola in Werner Recital Hall, May 9, 2026. N. Brown-Cáceres/Library of Congress