Library of Congress Announces Spring 2025 Concert Series
Season Includes World Premieres of Library Commissions by Tania Léon, Chris Otto and Jlin
Concerts from the Library of Congress continues to celebrate a century of landmark concerts in spring 2025, offering a rich and diverse kaleidoscope of classical music, jazz, pop, folk and dance events, with a major focus on contemporary American voices across genres.
The season’s centerpiece is the premiere of Library of Congress commissions from three significant American composers; Tania Léon, Chris Otto and Jlin will honor the Library’s distinguished tradition of support for contemporary composition established in 1925 by series founder Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge.
“This spring we continue the celebration of 100 years of excellence as a presenter of the performing arts,” said Susan H. Vita, chief of the Library’s Music Division. “Our 100-year-old concert series highlights the uniqueness of making music here; nowhere else will you find a series of concerts with such outstanding artists, presented completely free of charge. As the spring programs demonstrate, we provide listeners with the opportunity to come together for the extraordinary experience of hearing the Library’s collections come to life in our historic Coolidge Auditorium.”
Launching the season on Jan. 24, the Grammy-winning American soprano Julia Bullock partners with Britain’s acclaimed Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Highlights include several concerts designed to show off the Library’s renowned Stradivari and Guarneri instruments, including special appearances by Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Jupiter String Quartet and cellist Nicolas Altstaedt.
Pathbreaking jazz artists appear in an exciting lineup of concerts and film screenings made possible through the generous support of the Revada Foundation of the Logan family. Harpist Brandee Younger appears with her quartet and vocalist Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield. Edison Award winner José James will perform with his band. American composer, vocalist and writer Somi offers a unique blend of influences, rhythms and textures from her Rwandan and Ugandan heritage.
A special Juneteenth celebration brings the Grammy-winning saxophonist and 2024 NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz for a concert launching the William I. Bandas Trust Fund, recently established to support classical music and jazz.
A broad spectrum of notable American composers will be featured, including Anthony Braxton, a visionary multi-instrumentalist and music theorist whose papers are held in the Library’s collections. Violinist Jennifer Koh and the Del Sol String Quartet celebrate the music of Pulitzer Prize winner, conductor and educator Tania Léon. A concert by the contemporary ensemble loadbang will see the premiere of the Library’s commission from the violinist and JACK Quartet member Chris Otto.
A special project will evoke the Library’s history in presenting important works for dance. “The (Effortless) Now” presents music and choreography by the Polish-American composer Lucia Dlugoszewski and choreographer Erick Hawkins, drawn from their collections in the Library’s Music Division.
Ticketing
All events are presented free of charge to the public. Spring 2025 events will be listed on the Concerts from the Library of Congress website on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. ET., with public registration available at that time for January and February 2025 events.
March and April events will be available for registration on Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. ET. May and June events will be available on March 12 at 10 a.m. ET. Patrons are encouraged to sign up for the waitlist if an event is sold out to be notified if tickets become available. The Library encourages walk-up patrons who do not have a ticket to come for a RUSH pass, anticipating passholders may be admitted based on no-shows and cancellations.
Spring 2025 Programs
Friday, Jan. 24, 8 p.m.: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment with Julia Bullock, soprano
Grammy-winning American soprano Julia Bullock joins Britain’s famed Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in a brilliant evening of vocal and instrumental showpieces from the Golden Age of the Baroque. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 8 p.m.: Nicolas Altstaedt, cello
German-French cellist Nicolas Altstaedt plays the Library’s magnificent 1699 Stradivari “Castelbarco” cello in a powerhouse solo recital of works by J.S. Bach, Dutilleux and Kodály. There will be no pre-concert conversation for this event.
Saturday, Feb. 1, 2 p.m.: Francesco Corti, harpsichord
Italian harpsichordist Francesco Corti adds joyful spontaneity to virtuosity and flair in his recital of magisterial keyboard works by George Frideric Händel and J.S. Bach. Join for a pre-concert lecture by Christoph Wolff, Adams University Professor, Emeritus, Harvard University, at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion. Presented in cooperation with the Italian Cultural Institute.
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m.: Holger Falk, baritone & Steffen Schleiermacher, piano
Baritone Holger Falk and pianist Steffen Schleiermacher perform the music of Hanns Eisler and Franz Schubert in a one-of-a-kind vocal recital. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 8 p.m.: Jupiter Quartet
Celebrated as “an ensemble of eloquent intensity” (The New Yorker), the award-winning Jupiter String Quartet brings a program of Carlos Simon, Shulamit Ran and Beethoven to the Library of Congress, performing on its renowned Stradivari instruments. Join for a pre-concert conversation at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Friday, Feb. 28, 5 p.m.: Screening of “Elevator to the Gallows”
In a late-night session on Dec. 4, 1957, Miles Davis and his French quintet recorded a mostly improvised, modal score for Louis Malle’s debut film “Ascenseur pour l'échafaud” (Elevator to the Gallows).
Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m.: José James
José James returns to the Coolidge Auditorium to perform music from his deeply personal, self-produced album, “1978.” There will be no pre-concert conversation for this event.
Saturday, March 8, 8 p.m.: Music of Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton headlines a concert commemorating the Library’s acquisition of his papers. An array of stellar collaborators come together with Braxton to celebrate the music of this iconic American contemporary composer and multi-instrumentalist. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Friday, March 14, 5 p.m.: Screening of “The Heat’s On”
A vibrant musical comedy film featuring the incredible Hazel Scott, a pioneering Afro-Caribbean pianist and singer known for her virtuosity and captivating stage presence.
Friday, March 14, 8 p.m.: Brandee Younger
Experience the melodic and dynamic sounds of Brandee Younger’s harp. Grammy-nominated, 2024 NAACP Image Award winner, celebrated harpist, composer and educator, Brandee Younger is a leading voice of the harp today. There will be no pre-concert conversation for this event.
Wednesday, March 26, 7 p.m.: Lecture, “Happy Little Seahorses: Brahms’ Unwritten Melusine Opera”
In a lecture co-presented with the American Musicological Society, Laurie McManus of Shenandoah Conservatory gives a talk on a little-known opera libretto that was given to Johannes Brahms for consideration. The libretto might be called a “hidden gem” of the Library’s Brahms collection, given that it has never been transcribed or discussed in any substantial form in the Brahms literature – until now!
Saturday, March 29, 8 p.m.: Fröst-Tamestit-Wosner Trio
Admired worldwide as soloists, a trio of leading touring artists unite for a rare chamber music collaboration. Swedish clarinetist Martin Fröst, French violinist Antoine Tamestit and American pianist Shai Wosner perform their own arrangements of works by Bizet, Brahms and Dvořák, and their irresistible Dance Mosaic of European folk tunes. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Friday, April 4, 8 p.m.: The String Queens
Praised for its authentic, soulful and orchestral sound, The String Queens is a dynamic trio of artists who create stimulating musical experiences that inspire audiences to love, hope, feel and imagine. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Tuesday, April 8, 8 p.m.: Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin and Lambert Orkis, piano
The Library welcomes violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lambert Orkis for a concert of music by Mozart, Schubert and Respighi, and a new work by Iranian composer Aftab Darvishi.
Friday, April 11, 8 p.m.: Jennifer Koh, violin & Del Sol String Quartet
Celebrate the creativity, brilliance, and legacy of Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania León in an evening featuring Grammy-winning violinist Jennifer Koh and Chamber Music America Award-winning Del Sol String Quartet. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Friday, April 25, 8 p.m.: Hélène Grimaud, piano
One of the world’s most celebrated pianists, acclaimed for technical mastery and poetic, captivating interpretations, Hélène Grimaud plays late works by Beethoven and Brahms in a beautiful program that ends with the great Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D minor. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m.: Horszowski Trio
The multi-dimensional Horszowski Trio performs the music of Rebecca Clarke, Charles Wuorinen and Franz Schubert. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Thursday, May 1, 8 p.m.: Live! At the Library: Somi
With a sound that blends her Rwanda and Uganda heritage with jazz and other rhythms, Grammy-nominated and NAACP Image Award winning Somi brings her sextet to the Library for an evening of rich musical textures. There will be no pre-concert conversation for this event.
Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m.: Live! At the Library: Jlin
Jlin brings her signature electronic dance party energy to the Library’s Great Hall, where she will present the world premiere of the first electronic music piece commissioned by the Library. Seating for this special event will be limited. There will be no pre-concert conversation for this event.
Friday, May 30, 8 p.m.: loadbang
loadbang, the only group we know of for bass clarinet, baritone voice, trumpet, and trombone, offers an evening of new music with guest artists Christopher Otto, violin, and Ning Yu, piano. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion.
Saturday, May 31, 8 p.m.: Piece Offerings: Brigitta Muntendorf’s “Trilogy”
The brilliant German-Austrian composer Brigitta Muntendorf will be featured in a D.C. premiere of her work “Trilogy for Two Pianos.” Hear the composer speak about her work in conjunction with the performance. This concert will include a conversation onstage at the conclusion of the event. Presented in association with WorldPride Washington, D.C. 2025.
Tuesday, June 3, 8 p.m.: “The (Effortless) Now”: dances of Erick Hawkins and Lucia Dlugoszewski
Katherine Duke and the Erick Hawkins Dance Company join some of Polish-American composer Lucia Dlugoszewski’s most ardent advocates – pianist Agnese Toniutti and the Daedalus String Quartet – for a can’t-miss exploration of the creative team. Their program features music and choreography from the Library’s Erick Hawkins and Lucia Dlugoszewski papers. Join for a pre-concert conversation with the artists at 6:30 p.m. in the Whittall Pavilion. Presented in cooperation with Bowerbird and in association with WorldPride Washington, D.C. 2025.
Wednesday, June 4, 7 p.m.: An Evening with Judy Collins
Join us for a concert and booksigning with one of America’s most-loved performers: the legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins. There will be no pre-concert conversation for this event. A booksigning for Collins’ new volume of poetry, “Sometimes It’s Heaven, Poems of Love, Loss and Redemption,” will follow the concert. Presented in cooperation with the American Folklife Center and in association with WorldPride Washington, DC 2025.
Thursday, June 5, 6 p.m.: Live! At the Library: Marvin Gaye: Melancholy and Genius in Black Culture and Media
Commemorate Black Music Month with an engaging talk that explores connections between Marvin Gaye's music and the influence of George Gershwin. This conversation features I. Augustus Durham, assistant professor of English, University of Toronto, and Morgan Davis, music reference specialist, Music Division, Library of Congress. Durham is the author of "Stay Black and Die: On Melancholy and Genius."
Wednesday, June 18, 8 p.m.: Gary Bartz, saxophone
Grammy-winning saxophonist and 2024 NEA Jazz Master Gary Bartz brings his legendary groove to the historic Coolidge Auditorium. Presented through the generous support of the William I. Bandas Trust Fund in the Library of Congress. There will be no pre-concert conversation for this event.
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Media Contact: Elaina Finkelstein, efinkelstein@loc.gov
Public Contact: Anne McLean, amcl@loc.gov
PR 24-102
12/11/2024
ISSN 0731-3527