March 16

Born in 1710 in Jesi, Italy, Pergolesi showed early musical talent. He became renowned for his operas, particularly the intermezzo La serva padrona, which shaped opera buffa. His sacred work, the Stabat Mater, is celebrated for its poignant melodies. Pergolesi's concise style bridged the Baroque and emerging Classical era. He died of tuberculosis in 1736 at just 26, leaving a lasting influence on European music.

Aubrey Beardsley (1872–1898) was an English artist and writer celebrated for his bold black-and-white illustrations. He became a leading figure in the Aesthetic and Art Nouveau movements with works such as the illustrations for Oscar Wilde's Salome. His designs, characterized by flowing lines and erotic or grotesque themes, influenced graphic art and book illustration across Europe. Despite a career spanning just a few years before his death from tuberculosis at age 25, Beardsley's impact on visual culture was profound. He also contributed to literary journals and collaborated with prominent writers, leaving a lasting legacy in both art and literature.

Born in Saint Petersburg in 1914, Nicolas de Staël fled the Russian Revolution with his family and settled in France. He studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and developed a distinctive style characterized by thick impasto and geometric abstraction. De Staël's work often depicted landscapes, still lifes, and figures with a focus on color harmony and structure. His exhibitions in the late 1940s established him as a major figure in European modernism. Despite personal struggles, he produced a remarkable body of work that influenced post-war abstraction. Tragically, de Staël died by suicide in 1955, just as his reputation was reaching new heights.

Born in Romania in 1876, Constantin Brâncuși studied at the Bucharest School of Arts and Crafts before moving to Paris in 1904. There he worked briefly in the studio of Auguste Rodin before pursuing his own path toward abstraction. Brâncuși created iconic sculptures such as The Kiss, Bird in Space, and Endless Column, emphasizing pure form and material. He also experimented with photography and painting but is best known for his contribution to modern sculpture. His clean lines, simplified shapes, and emphasis on essence over detail inspired generations of artists. Brâncuși died in 1957, leaving a legacy as one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century.

Born in Prague in 1883, Václav Talich studied violin at the Prague Conservatory before turning to conducting. He became the artistic director of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1920s, elevating its status on the international stage. Talich championed Czech composers such as Dvořák, Janáček, and Martinů, bringing their music to wider audiences with passionate and precise performances. Despite facing political pressures during the Nazi occupation and post-war era, he continued to lead major orchestras across Europe. His landmark recordings remain influential for their musical depth and expressiveness. Talich's lifelong devotion to Czech music left an indelible mark on 20th-century conducting. He died on March 16, 1961.

Born in San Francisco in 1874, Laura Adams Armer developed a passion for art and storytelling from an early age. She gained acclaim for her ethnographic photography of Hopi and Navajo communities in the American Southwest during the early 20th century. Armer's most celebrated literary work, 'Waterless Mountain,' earned the Newbery Medal in 1932 for its vivid portrayal of Navajo culture. Throughout her career, she published additional books and articles that combined narrative with striking photographic documentation. Armer's dual talents helped bridge the gap between visual art and literature, offering readers a deeper understanding of the cultures she captured. She passed away on March 16, 1963, leaving behind a legacy of cultural appreciation and artistic innovation.

Born in Florence in 1895, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco studied under Ildebrando Pizzetti at the Florence Conservatory. He composed operas, orchestral pieces, and an extensive catalog of works for classical guitar, shaping the instrument's modern repertoire. Facing anti-Semitic laws in Fascist Italy, he emigrated to the United States in 1939 and joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's film music department. In Hollywood, he wrote scores for numerous movies and taught at the University of Southern California, mentoring composers such as John Williams. His music combined lyrical melodies with sophisticated harmonies, bridging European traditions and American cinema. Castelnuovo-Tedesco passed away in Los Angeles on March 16, 1968, leaving a lasting impact on both concert hall and film music.

Born Thomasina Winifred Montgomery in Philadelphia in 1945, Tammi Terrell began her music career as a teenager, recording solo singles for Scepter Records. In 1963, she joined Motown Records and formed a legendary partnership with Marvin Gaye. Together they released hits such as 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'Your Precious Love,' and 'If This World Were Mine,' which showcased her powerful and emotive voice. In 1967, she collapsed onstage and was diagnosed with a brain tumor, an illness that ended her career at its peak. Despite surgeries and treatment, her health deteriorated, and she passed away on March 16, 1970, at the age of 24. Terrell's brief but brilliant legacy continues to inspire soul and R&B artists worldwide.

Born Aaron Thibeaux Walker on May 28, 1910, in Linden, Texas, he began performing professionally in his teens. His 1942 recording of "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)" became a blues standard. Walker's fluid guitar style and showmanship influenced generations of musicians, including B.B. King and Chuck Berry. He recorded extensively throughout the 1940s and 1950s, helping to define postwar urban blues. Inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1980, he left a lasting legacy on modern music.

Born Maria Górska in Warsaw in 1898, Tamara de Lempicka studied art in St. Petersburg and later in Paris. Adopting her aristocratic-sounding name, she rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s with sleek, stylized works that captured the glamour of her era. Paintings like "Portrait of Madame M." and "Young Lady with Gloves" exemplify her distinctive mix of realism and stylization. Fleeing Europe before World War II, she settled in the United States and continued to paint prominent clients. Rediscovered in the late 20th century, her vibrant canvases now command high auction prices and wide critical acclaim.

Born in New York City in 1896, Roger Sessions studied at Harvard University and refined his craft in Europe under renowned teachers. His early compositions exhibit neoclassical influences, while his later works embrace serialism and complex counterpoint. Sessions held teaching positions at institutions such as Princeton, the Curtis Institute, and UC Berkeley, shaping generations of composers. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1974 for his "Concerto for Orchestra." Through both his music and critical writings, he made a lasting impact on 20th-century American classical music.

Ernst Bacon was an American composer, pianist, conductor, and music educator. He studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and later taught at Pomona College and Scripps College. Bacon composed symphonies, chamber works, songs, and film scores, often drawing inspiration from American folk themes. He conducted and recorded orchestras, promoting American composers and new music. Bacon received the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Award for his chamber music and was honored by ASCAP. He was a noted advocate for American musical nationalism and helped shape the country's classical music identity.