Library of Congress Commissions

The Music Division at the Library of Congress has commissioned new music since the early 20th century. During his career, Milhaud was commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation and the Serge Koussevitzky Foundation. Both of these funds are still active.

Established in 1925, the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation exists to promote and advance chamber music through commissions, public concerts, and festivals. The manuscripts of those commissions are part of the Music Division's holdings. Milhaud's Coolidge commissions are classed as ML29c .M65.

The Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress was established as an expression of Dr. Koussevitzky's gratitude to the creators to whom we owe our musical heritage and who are providing our legacy to the future. The call numbers for these commissions vary and are indicated underneath the work.

The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

String Quartet no. 8, op. 121
Commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation.
First performed May 13, 1933 by the Pro Arte Quartet.
String quartet no. 9, op. 140
Full score.
Holograph manuscript in ink.
Commissioned by and dedicated to Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge.
First performed by the Pro Arte Quartet, May 21, 1935.
Individual parts are classed as ML29c .M65d.
String Quartet no. 10, op. 218 "The Birthday Quartet"
Commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation. Dedicated to Mrs. Coolidge in honor of her 76th birthday.
First performed at the Library of Congress on October 30, 1940 by the Coolidge Quartet.
Septuor à cordes, op. 408
Full score.
Holograph transparencies in ink.
Commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation. Dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Coolidge.
First performed on October 3, 1964 at the Library of Congress, by the Kroll Quartet.
Symphony no. 2, op. 247 (Rurale)
Call Number: ML30.3c2 .M5 (Case)
Commissioned in 1944 by the Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation.
Dedicated to the memory of Natalie Koussevitzky.
Symphony no. 6, op. 343
Call Number: ML30.3c .M5 (Case)
Commissioned in 1954 by the Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Boston Symphony.
Dedicated to the memory of Serge and Natalie Koussevitzky.
David, op. 320
Call Number: ML30 .3e2.M5 (Case)
Commissioned in 1951 by the Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation, David is an opera in five acts and twelve scenes. It was written to celebrate the 3000th anniversary of the founding of the city of Jerusalem by King David. The libretto, also part of the commission, was written by Armand Lunel. Piano-vocal score also included under ML30 .3e2.M5.
Les rêves de Jacob, op. 294
Commissioned in 1949 by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation.
Scored for oboe and four stringed instruments and comprised of five movements that depict the biblical accounting of Jacob from the Old Testament.
Individual parts are available under the call number ML29c .M65d.
Jeux de Printemps
Full score.
Holograph transparencies in ink.
Commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation. Dedicated to Mrs. Coolige.
First performed on December 11, 1945.

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Library of Congress Commissions