September 23, 2025 Collection Close-Up Book Celebrates the History of the Library’s Groundbreaking Concert Series

The Library of Congress is publishing a new book celebrating the rich history of its world-renowned Concerts from the Library of Congress series, founded in 1925 by philanthropist Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge.

 Co-authored by Nicholas A. Brown-Cáceres and David H. Plylar of the Library’s Music Division, “Let the People Hear It: Concerts from the Library of Congress at 100” shares the story of this remarkable series through the memorable people, music and moments that have made the Library of Congress a treasured home for experiencing live music and commissioning new works for over 100 years. 

 The book features 180 photographs, historical documents and unique music manuscripts that demonstrate how the concert series has enriched and preserved America’s musical, dance and theater heritage, all while fostering a community of music lovers that has included everyday Washingtonians, diplomats and even First Ladies of the United States. 

 Guest contributions from Grammy Award-winning violinist David Harrington (founder and artistic director, Kronos Quartet), dance legend Janet Eilber (artistic director of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance), and violinist Nicholas Kitchen (Borromeo Quartet and New England Conservatory) offer insights into the wide-reaching impact of the series on the performing arts across the United States.  

 “For 100 years, the Library’s concert series has been one of the many ways our collections have been brought to life for the benefit of the American people,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Randolph Newlen. “The distinctive experience of hearing great music in the Coolidge Auditorium – in the presence of the manuscripts and archival material that showcase the creative process up-close – is unforgettable.” 

 The Library's Coolidge Auditorium, celebrated for its exceptional acoustics, has been the site of numerous musical world premieres, including Martha Graham and Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" in 1944. The auditorium has welcomed distinguished artists-in-residence such as Rosanne Cash and John Adams. Additionally, in 2023, the Library hosted the Salute to Strayhorn festival that commemorated the acquisition of the jazz legend's collection by the Library. Among the more than 700 new works commissioned by the Library of Congress are compositions by stalwarts of 20^th century music, such as Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg, and newer voices including George Walker and Tania León. 

 Brown-Cáceres is acting chief of the Library’s Music Division. He previously served in senior leadership roles at the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System and Washington Performing Arts, and he is a former U.S. Army bandsman. Plylar is a music specialist and concert producer at the Library. He is also a composer and pianist who writes about music. 

 “Let the People Hear It” is the third book in the Library’s Collection Close-Up series, which celebrates the diversity, breadth and depth of Library of Congress collections. These compact and accessible books bring Library collections to life through historical anecdotes, colorful images, descriptive captions and sidebars.  

 Published by the Library of Congress and distributed by the University of North Carolina Press, “Let the People Hear It” will be available in paperback and hardcover beginning Sept. 15 in the Library of Congress Store and will be more widely available via booksellers everywhere beginning Dec. 15.  

 The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.