Renowned composer and songwriter Burt Bacharach, known for his iconic melodies of the 1960s and '70s, will have his extensive collection of music scores and parts donated to the Library of Congress. The announcement of this significant acquisition was made by Bacharach's widow, Jane Bacharach, and the Library of Congress in a joint statement released on Thursday.
The collection includes thousands of music scores and parts, featuring Bacharach's arrangements of classics such as “The Look of Love,” as well as musical sketches for beloved songs like “Alfie” and “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” Bacharach, a Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner, passed away last year at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music.
Jane Bacharach expressed her decision to donate the collection to the Library of Congress, citing Bacharach's deep appreciation for the institution. She highlighted that Bacharach and his songwriting partner Hal David were recipients of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2012, an honor that held special significance for Bacharach. This marks the first time the library has acquired a collection from one of its Gershwin Prize recipients.
The collection is set to be available for researchers starting in the summer of 2025, offering a unique opportunity to explore Bacharach's creative process and musical genius. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden expressed pride in safeguarding Bacharach's legacy for future generations, aiming to inspire others with his distinctively American musical contributions.
Bacharach's papers will join the esteemed company of other legendary composers and songwriters at the Library of Congress, including Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Billy Strayhorn, Leonard Bernstein, and Henry Mancini.
