August 17, 2000 Library of Congress Announces 75th Anniversary of Free Concerts in the Coolidge Auditorium

The 2000-2001 season marks the 75th anniversary of free "Concerts from the Library of Congress," the Aaron Copland Centenary, and the second season of "I Hear America Singing," a three-year musical celebration of the Library's Bicentennial.

This year, the bicentennial celebration focuses on American composers and performers both established and on the verge of major careers, in programs of standard masterpieces and newly commissioned works. Leading early-music specialists make Washington debuts at the Library, including Jordi Savall's period instrument orchestra, Le Concert des Nations, and Andreas Staier. Presented in cooperation with the Embassy of France, the acclaimed French chamber choir, Accentus, also makes its first appearance in Washington under the direction of Laurence Equilbey. A new Saturday matinee series offers the Israel Camerata Jerusalem with pianist Ilya Itin, the Lark String Quartet and Frederick Fennell conducting American band music. Performances by the Library's resident ensembles, the Juilliard String Quartet and the Beaux Arts Trio, are also offered this season.

In November, the Library is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Aaron Copland with an afternoon concert on Tuesday, November 14, by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, which will be broadcast live to Europe by National Public Radio. On Saturday, November 18, an evening concert by Music from the Copland House will be preceded by a symposium on the central role that Aaron Copland played in 20th century American music and culture. The Library has commissioned celebratory fanfares from four American composers: David Diamond, Lukas Foss, Tania León, and Roberto Sierra that will be performed during the Copland celebration.

"From the Diary of Sally Hemings," a new song cycle by composer William Bolcom and playwright Sandra Season, will be given its world premiere by noted mezzo-soprano Florence Quivar in March 2001. Other works receiving first performances during the 2000-2001 season are pieces by Andrew Imbrie, Ralph Shapey and Dave Douglas commissioned by the McKim Fund in the Library of Congress.

Tickets are required for all Library of Congress concerts. They are available for a nominal charge of $2 per ticket, with additional charges for phone orders and handling, from TicketMaster by calling (301) 808-6900, (202) 432-SEAT or by visiting TicketMaster outlets. Tickets for popular events are claimed quickly, but there are often empty seats at concert time. Interested patrons are encouraged to try for standby seats by appearing at the will-call desk by 6:30 p.m. on concert evenings.

All concerts will be held in the Coolidge Auditorium, located on the ground floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street S.E., at 8 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The complete listing of the 75th season of "Concerts from the Library of Congress" follows.

Concerts from the Library of Congress
2000 - 2001

(Programs subject to change without notice)

October 11: Carter Brey, Cello, and Christopher O'Riley, Piano
(Tickets available beginning September 13. Tickets for this program from last season, which was canceled, will not be honored at this performance.)

October 12-13: Juilliard String Quartet
(Tickets available beginning September 13)

October 14: Dave Douglas with Charms of the Night Sky and Bell Trio
(Tickets available beginning September 13)

October 30: Founders Day Concert, in honor of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, with the Flux String Quartet
(Tickets available beginning September 20)

November 10: Accentus Chamber Choir (A cappella Ensemble from France)
(Tickets available beginning September 27)

November 14: Aaron Copland Centenary Concert, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Live broadcast at 2 p.m.; no one will be admitted after 1:45 p.m.
(Tickets available beginning October 4)

November 16: Le Concert des Nations (Period-Instrument Orchestra)
(Tickets available beginning October 4)

November 18: Aaron Copland Symposium, Whittall Pavilion, 2 p.m.
(No tickets required)

November 18: Music from Copland House, 6 p.m.
(Tickets available beginning October 4)

December 1: Wihan String Quartet
(Tickets available beginning October 25)

December 8: Miró String Quartet
(Tickets available beginning November 1)

December 19: Juilliard String Quartet with Yefim Bronfman, Piano
(Tickets available beginning November 8)

February 1: Prazák String Quartet
(Tickets available beginning December 20)

February 17: Israel Camerata Jerusalem with Ilya Itin, Piano, 2 p.m.
(Tickets available beginning January 10)

February 24: Lark String Quartet, 2 p.m.
(Tickets available beginning January 17)

March 2: Andreas Staier, Harpsichord
(Tickets available beginning January 24)

March 6: Concerto Palatino, Great Hall of the Jefferson Building (Period-Instrument Wind Ensemble)
(Tickets available beginning January 31)

March 9: Ensemble Wien-Berlin with Elena Bashkirova, Piano
(Tickets available beginning January 31)

March 16: Florence Quivar, Mezzo-soprano, "From the Diary of Sally Hemings" by William Bolcom and Sandra Season, Pianist TBA
(Tickets available beginning February 7)

March 23: Concertante Chamber Players
(Tickets available beginning February 14)

April 6: Trio Wanderer
(Tickets available beginning February 21)

April 19-20: Juilliard String Quartet, with Seymour Lipkin, Piano
(Tickets available beginning March 7)

April 26-27: Beaux Arts Trio
(Tickets available beginning March 7)

May 4: Don Byron
(Tickets available beginning March 14)

May 11: Music of Irving Fine, Ida Kavafian, Violin, and the Zephyros Wind Quintet, with Chamber Choir conducted by Norman Scribner
(Tickets available beginning March 21)

May 19: Frederick Fennell conducts program of American band music, 2 p.m.
(Tickets available beginning April 4)

May 26: San Francisco Contemporary Music Players
(Tickets available beginning April 11)