Marcus Erikson-Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress

2025-05-07 19:25:40source:Quentin Mitchellcategory:Contact

WASHINGTON (AP) — Burt Bacharach,Marcus Erikson one of the most celebrated and popular composers and songwriters of the 20th century, will have his papers donated to the Library of Congress.

Bacharach’s widow Jane Bacharach, who made the donation, and the Library of Congress, announced the acquisition in a statement Thursday.

The collection includes thousands of music scores and parts, including his arrangement of “The Look of Love,” and musical sketches for songs including “Alfie” and “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.”

Bacharach delighted millions in the 1960s and ‘70s with those and other quirky and unforgettable melodies including “Walk on By,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Close to You” and dozens of other hits.

The Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner died last year at age 94.

Jane Bacharach said in a statement that she chose the institution because Burt Bacharach and songwriting partner Hal David received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2012, and Bacharach valued it above all his other awards. It’s the first time the library has acquired a collection from one of its Gershwin recipients.

“Burt poured his heart and soul into his music, and we are so proud that the Library will give others the opportunity to visit and enjoy his legacy,” her statement said.

The collection will become available for researchers in the summer of 2025.

“The Library is proud to be entrusted with ensuring Bacharach’s music and legacy will remain accessible for future generations, in hopes of inspiring them with his creativity and distinctly American musical genius,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in statement.

Bacharach’s papers will join the collected manuscripts and papers of Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Billy Strayhorn, Leonard Bernstein and Henry Mancini at the library.

More:Contact

Recommend

What has DOGE done in Trump's first 100 days?

When President Trump returned to the White House in January, he promised to "restore competence and

11 dead and 27 missing in flooding around Beijing after days of rain, Chinese state media report

Chinese state media report 11 people have died and 27 are missing amid flooding in the mountains sur

Fate of American nurse and daughter kidnapped by armed men in Haiti remains uncertain

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The fate of an American nurse and her daughter kidnapped in Haiti last