Universal donates 200,000 recordings to Library of Congress
Written by admin on January 10, 2011 – 8:51 pm -| Universal Music Group has donated 200,000 Master Recordings to the Library of Congress. The Universal Music Collection features legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and many more.
This is the largest single donation ever received by the Library’s audio-visual division, which already has more than three million sound recordings in its collection. |
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The Universal Music Collection will be cataloged and digitized at the Library’s Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Va., which will permanently secure their sonic quality.
Among the important masters included in the collection are:
- Bing Crosby’s 1947 version of “White Christmas”
- Louis Armstrong singing “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
- The Mills Brothers’ “Paper Doll”
- Ella Fitzgerald’s and Louis Armstrong’s duet “Frim Fram Sauce”
- Les Paul’s “Guitar Boogie”
- Josh White singing “Jim Crow”
- Machito and his Afro-Cuban All Stars Mercury recordings.
Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, welcomed Universal Music Group’s donation:
| “It is certainly within the national interest to acquire this recorded collection, and all its accompanying materials, for custodial care. A surprisingly high percentage of America’s recording heritage since the early part of the 20th century has been lost due to neglect and deterioration. The donation of the UMG archive to the Library of Congress is a major gift to the nation that will help maintain the inter-generational connection that is essential to keeping alive, in our collective national memory, the music and sound recordings meaningful to past generations.” |
Zach Horowitz, UMG’s president and chief operating officer, said:
| “Music is a distinctive feature of any historical period, and this particular collection of masters provides true insight into popular music’s humble beginnings and who we are as a culture today. We are delighted to be collaborating with the Library of Congress to preserve and call attention to the groundbreaking musical achievements of these amazing musical pioneers.” |
The Library will stream recordings from the collection on a website to be launched in the spring.
Tags: Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Les Paul, Library of Congress, Louis Armstrong, Universal Music Collection
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