February 19

Luigi Boccherini was born in 1743 in Lucca, Italy, and became one of the foremost cellists of the Classical era. He produced a prolific body of work, including over 100 string quintets, symphonies, and concertos. Boccherini’s music is noted for its melodic charm, elegance, and refined chamber textures. He spent significant time at the Spanish court in Madrid, where his style was influenced by local dance forms. His famous "Minuet" from String Quintet in E major remains a staple of the cello repertoire. Boccherini’s innovations helped shape the development of chamber music in the late 18th century.

Elfrida Andrée was born in 1841 in Visby, Sweden, and became one of the first professional female conductors. She studied organ and composition, earning recognition for her symphonies, choral works, and chamber music. In 1867, she was appointed cathedral organist in Gothenburg, breaking gender barriers in church music. Andrée led orchestras and choirs at a time when female conductors were rare. Her compositions blend Romantic expressiveness with Nordic folk influences. She championed women’s musical education and left a lasting impact on Scandinavian music culture.

Born in 1876 in Romania, Brâncuși trained at the Bucharest School of Arts before moving to Paris. He pioneered a simplified, modernist style, focusing on pure forms in works like 'Bird in Space' and 'The Kiss.' Brâncuși's use of polished surfaces and geometric abstraction reshaped 20th-century sculpture. He also explored photography and painting, but his sculptures remain his most celebrated legacy. Brâncuși opened his own studio in Paris, attracting artists and intellectuals from around the world. He died in 1957, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire contemporary artists.

Born in 1877, Münter studied art in Germany and Munich, where she joined the avant-garde group Der Blaue Reiter. Her vivid, expressive paintings captured landscapes, portraits, and interiors with bold colors and forms. Münter collaborated with artists like Wassily Kandinsky, with whom she shared both a personal and artistic partnership. She preserved many artworks during World War II, safeguarding Germany's modernist heritage. Münter later donated her collection to establish the Städtische Galerie in her hometown of Murnau. She passed away in 1962, leaving a legacy as one of Expressionism's key figures.

Originally trained as a sculptor in Argentina, Fontana moved to Italy in 1927 to pursue his artistic vision. In 1947, he founded the Spatialism movement, seeking to integrate space, time, and movement into art. His iconic 'Tagli' series featured canvases cut with a knife, challenging traditional notions of two-dimensional painting. Fontana's work influenced abstract and conceptual artists worldwide. He exhibited extensively in Europe and South America throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Fontana died in 1968, remembered as a pioneer who expanded the boundaries of modern art.

Born Saul Kaplan in Brooklyn, New York, he began his career writing songs for Broadway revues in the 1930s. Chaplin moved to Hollywood in 1936, joining MGM's music department. He won Academy Awards for his work on the film An American in Paris (1951) and for Fanny (1961). Chaplin collaborated with lyricists like Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne on classics that defined the golden age of film musicals. His contributions to The Wizard of Oz and Meet Me in St. Louis remain beloved examples of Hollywood's musical legacy. He continued composing and arranging into the 1970s, passing away in 1997.

Frank Tashlin (1913–1972) was an American animator, screenwriter, and film director known for his energetic visual style. He began his career in animation at Van Beuren Studios and later worked on Looney Tunes at Warner Bros., where his dynamic gags stood out. In the 1950s, he transitioned to live-action comedies, directing several hits starring Jerry Lewis. Tashlin’s background in cartoons influenced his bold camerawork and timing, blending animation techniques with human actors. His innovative approach left a lasting mark on both animation and comedy filmmaking.

C. Z. Guest (1920–2003) was an American socialite, fashion designer, and occasional actress known for her timeless elegance. Born Lucy Douglas, she gained fame as a cover girl and hosted glamorous society events in the 1940s and 1950s. She later launched her own fashion line and became a trendsetter whose style was closely followed by celebrities and publishers. Guest also wrote a syndicated column on entertaining and horse breeding that reflected her refined interests. Her enduring influence on fashion and society earned her the nickname "The American Duchess".

Born in 1926 in Lugoj, György Kurtág studied composition and piano in Budapest under Sándor Veress. Influenced by Béla Bartók and Anton Webern, he developed a unique style characterized by brevity and emotional intensity. His major works include the cycle Signs, Games and Messages and the chamber opera Fin de partie. Kurtág has taught piano and chamber music at the Franz Liszt Academy, mentoring generations of musicians. He received numerous awards, including the Kossuth Prize and the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition. His music continues to be performed worldwide for its intimacy and depth.

Samuel Joseph Myers (1936–2006) was a Mississippi-born blues musician who began playing harmonica as a child. He moved to California, where he joined forces with Texas bluesman Albert Collins in the 1980s. Myers toured internationally and recorded several albums, earning a reputation for his gritty voice and deft harmonica playing. He received multiple Blues Music Awards and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions. Myers's work helped bring traditional blues to new audiences and inspired generations of musicians.

William 'Smokey' Robinson Jr. is an influential figure in American music. He co-founded the Miracles and led the group to Motown's first million-selling hit, 'Shop Around'. As a songwriter and producer, he penned classics like 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' and 'My Girl'. His smooth falsetto vocals and lyrical craftsmanship shaped the sound of 1960s soul. Robinson served as Motown's vice president, guiding the label's artistic direction. He was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His career has spanned over six decades, earning him acclaim as one of soul music's pioneers.

Bobby Rogers was a founding member of the Miracles alongside Smokey Robinson. He co-wrote songs such as 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' and 'Mighty Good Lovin'. Rogers's bass vocals and harmonies were integral to the group's signature Motown style. He helped the Miracles secure a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s. The group's success paved the way for Motown's rise as a dominant force in popular music. Rogers's contributions were honored with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.