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A Capital Connection
Ernest Bloch (1880–1959) was the first of many immigrant composers to benefit from Coolidge's generosity and friendship. Shortly after his Suite for Viola and Piano won the 1919 Berkshire Prize, Bloch introduced Coolidge to his good friend Carl Engel (1883–1944), chief of the Music Division at the Library of Congress. She was already considering ways in which her music festival might reach more people. Engel proved key in bringing the concerts to the nation's capital, along with Coolidge's growing collection of holograph music manuscripts. |