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Concerts from the Library of Congress: Pick of the Week

Week of February 5, 2021

Pick of the Week began the celebration of Black History Month with the 2019 performance of pianist and composer Aaron Diehl at the Library of Congress. Mr. Diehl came to the Library as a jazz scholar. As part of his residency, he performed a celebrated piano program, engaged in a conversation with James Wintle of the Music Division, and spent time with the Library's jazz collections. The highlight of his visit was viewing George Gershwin's manuscripts of Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F, as well as Beethoven's Piano Sonata in E-Major, Op. 109. Mr. Diehl wrote a blog post for the Music Division's In the Muse blog that captured his experience. We hope this edition of the Pick of the Week inspires you to learn more about Aaron Diehl, the digital jazz resources at the Library of Congress, and the contributions of Black Americans to the music and culture of this great nation.

Pick of the Week - February 5, 2021

Aaron Diehl, piano (performance date: March 23, 2019)

An erudite and elegant stylist, pianist, and composer, Aaron Diehl performs at the Coolidge Auditorium. His Blues and the Spanish Tinge recital traces the essential ingredients in the creation of jazz. Selections from the performance include works ranging from Cervantes to Jelly Roll Morton.

Program selections and timings:

  • [0:34] "Blues and the Spanish Tinge": Remarks by Aaron Diehl
  • [4:46] Ignacio Cervantes (1847-1905): Six Cuban Dances (1875-95) -- 1. La Tarde Está Amorosa; 2. Mis Amores; 3. Ditirámbica; 4. Tintilla de Rota; 5. ¡No Llores Más!; 6. De Mil Amores
  • [16:04] Robert Johnson (1911-1938): Come on in My Kitchen (c. 1936)
  • [23:25] Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869): Danza, op. 33 (1857-9)
  • [29:33] Jelly Roll Morton (1890-1941): Original Jelly Roll Blues (1905)
  • [34:54] Remarks on Jelly Roll Morton
  • [36:38] W.C. Handy (1873-1958): St. Louis Blues (1914)
  • [42:38] Aaron Diehl (b. 1985): Blues People (2018)
  • [50:40] Comments on Jelly Roll Morton
  • [52:10] Jelly Roll Morton: Finger Breaker [Finger Buster] (52:10)

Aaron Diehl in Conversation (event date: March 26, 2019)

Jazz pianist and composer Aaron Diehl discusses jazz history with James Wintle from the Music Division of Library of Congress.

Digital Collections and Resources at the Library of Congress