January 28

Gregor Werner was an Austrian composer active in the early 18th century, serving as Kapellmeister at the cathedral of St. Florian near Linz. He composed numerous masses, motets, and offertories that showcased his skilled contrapuntal writing and expressive melodies. Werner’s works bridged the late Baroque and early Classical styles, influencing a younger generation of composers. His sacred choral music was valued for its clarity, balance, and devotion. While overshadowed by later masters, his compositions remain essential examples of Austrian liturgical music from the Baroque period.

John Baskerville was an innovative 18th century English printer, typographer, and entrepreneur. Dissatisfied with the printing standards of his time, he established a press in Birmingham that produced books known for their sharp type and smooth, glossy paper. He designed the distinctive 'Baskerville' typeface, noted for its high contrast, refined serifs, and readability. Baskerville also introduced improved inks and glazing techniques that enhanced print clarity. His landmark edition of Virgil in 1757 exemplified his dedication to beauty and precision in print. Baskerville’s legacy endures through his typeface, which remains one of the most admired and widely used in modern typography.

Born in 1861 in the Philippines, Julián Felipe studied music at local conservatories. He taught music for many years, influencing a generation of Filipino musicians. In 1898, he composed the march that became the Philippine national anthem. His anthem was first performed during the proclamation of independence in Kawit, Cavite. Felipe continued his work as an educator and choral director under changing political regimes. His legacy endures in Philippine national identity and music education. He died in 1944, remembered as a key figure in the country's cultural heritage.

Born in 1863 in Australia, Ernest William Christmas developed his painting skills at local art schools. He emigrated to the United States, where he captured the American landscape in oils. Christmas also traveled extensively in the Pacific, producing scenes of Hawaii and Polynesia. His work was praised for its atmospheric light and vibrant color palette. He exhibited in major galleries on both sides of the Pacific. Christmas helped introduce Pacific motifs to Western art audiences. He passed away in 1918, leaving a body of work noted for its lyrical naturalism.

Born in 1875 in Ahualulco, Mexico, Julián Carrillo was a virtuoso violinist and innovative composer. In 1925, he unveiled his 'Sonido 13' microtonal system, dividing the octave into more than twelve intervals. Carrillo founded orchestras and premiered numerous works showcasing microtonal techniques. He taught at conservatories in Mexico and Europe, influencing generations of musicians. His compositions include symphonies, string quartets, and operas featuring novel harmonic structures. Carrillo's groundbreaking work expanded the boundaries of musical theory and performance. He died in 1965, hailed as a visionary who reshaped modern music.

Born in 1878 in Berlin, Walter Kollo emerged as a prolific composer and conductor in the realm of operetta. He penned catchy melodies featured in over twenty operettas and hundreds of songs, capturing the spirit of Berlin's cabaret scene. Kollo led orchestras in premieres and helped popularize light music through early gramophone recordings. His contributions defined the golden age of Berlin operetta in the early twentieth century. He also composed for film and musical revues, shaping German popular culture. Walter Kollo's enduring melodies and theatrical flair continued to be celebrated long after his death in 1940.

Arthur Rubinstein (1887–1982) was a legendary pianist whose career spanned eight decades. Born in Łódź, Poland, he gave his first public recital at age six and went on to achieve global fame. Rubinstein was particularly admired for his nuanced performances of Chopin, capturing the composer’s lyrical and emotional depth. He settled in the United States in the 1940s and became a cultural ambassador, touring extensively across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Rubinstein recorded over 100 albums, many of which received critical acclaim and awards. He was honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976. Beyond performance, he was beloved for his warm personality and passionate advocacy for music education.

Alice Neel (1900–1984) was an influential American portrait artist known for her honest and unfiltered depictions of people. Born in Pennsylvania, she studied art at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women. Neel’s subjects ranged from family and friends to political figures and marginalized communities, reflecting her deep social awareness. Her bold, expressionistic style emphasized color and form to convey psychological depth. Despite personal and financial hardships, she continued painting and exhibiting throughout her life, gaining wider recognition in the 1960s and 70s. Neel received a National Institute of Arts and Letters award and a retrospective at the Whitney Museum. Today, her work is celebrated for its emotional candor and contribution to American modern art.

Born in Istanbul in 1908, Paul Misraki moved to France to pursue his passion for music. He composed over 100 film scores for French and international cinema from the 1930s to the 1980s. As a historian, he published influential books on jazz, popular music, and film music theory. His collaborations included work with renowned directors and ensembles across genres. Misraki's dual legacy as a composer and scholar left a lasting impact on European film music. He passed away in Paris in 1998, leaving behind a rich body of musical and written work.

Born in Cody, Wyoming, in 1912, Pollock studied under Thomas Hart Benton at the Art Students League of New York. He pioneered the drip painting technique in the late 1940s, creating large-scale canvases on the floor. Pollock's dynamic style broke conventions of traditional brushwork and influenced generations of artists. Key works such as "Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist)" exemplify his gestural abstraction. Despite critical acclaim, Pollock struggled with personal demons and alcoholism. He died in a car accident in New York in 1956 at the age of 44, leaving a lasting legacy on modern art.

Anna Gordy Gaye (1922–2014) was an American songwriter and record producer. A sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy, she co-founded Anna Records in Detroit in 1958. Under her leadership, the label launched the career of soul singer Mary Wells. Gaye contributed songwriting to early Motown releases and shaped the sound of the era. She married soul legend Marvin Gaye in 1963 and collaborated on several musical projects. After Anna Records was absorbed by Motown, she continued to impact the industry behind the scenes. Gaye’s work laid foundations for the Motown sound that defined the 1960s.

Marcel Broodthaers (1924–1976) was a Belgian poet turned artist whose conceptual works challenged traditional definitions of art. Beginning his career in the 1950s as a French-language poet, he transitioned to visual art in the early 1960s. Broodthaers often incorporated text, found objects, and images into installations that critiqued museums and the art market. His seminal work "Musée d'Art Moderne, Département des Aigles" reimagined the museum as an art piece itself. He exhibited internationally, influencing generations of conceptual and institutional critique artists. Broodthaers’ legacy endures through major retrospectives and scholarship on his innovative practice.