March 28

Born in 1596 in The Hague, Huygens was a polymath at the heart of the Dutch Golden Age. He served as a diplomat and secretary to Stadtholder Frederick Henry, traveling across Europe. A fluent writer in Latin, Dutch, French, and English, he composed poetry acclaimed for its elegance and wit. He also wrote melodies and lute songs, leaving a musical legacy that complemented his literary work. As a patron of the arts, he maintained a celebrated literary salon that brought together poets, scientists, and philosophers. His influence extended to the next generation through his son, the renowned scientist Christiaan Huygens.

Born around 1610 in Rethymno on Crete, Tzanes trained in the post-Byzantine artistic tradition. He moved to Venice and later to Corfu, producing icons that blended Byzantine form with Western perspective. His use of vivid colors and expressive figures marked a transition toward more naturalistic religious art. Commissioned by churches and private patrons, his works adorned many ecclesiastical settings across the Mediterranean. Tzanes’s art reflects the cultural crossroads of the Renaissance and Orthodox Christianity. His surviving paintings remain influential examples of 17th-century Greek iconography.

Born in 1755 near Bassano del Grappa, Capuzzi trained as a violinist at the Milan Conservatory. He served as the first violinist and composer at the court of Archduchess Maria Beatrice d’Este in Parma. Capuzzi composed violin concertos, string quartets, and ballets that showcased his melodic gift and refined style. His Serenade for Violin and Guitar remains a popular piece in the chamber repertoire. A versatile musician, he also wrote operatic and sacred works, contributing to the cultural life of Northern Italy. He died in 1818, remembered for his graceful compositions and impact on Classical-era music.

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (1839–1881) was a pivotal figure in the Russian Romantic era. As a member of the group The Five, he pioneered a distinctly Russian classical style. His innovative compositions, including Night on Bald Mountain and Pictures at an Exhibition, showcased bold harmonies and folk-inspired melodies. Despite struggles with health and finances, his visionary works influenced generations of composers. Today, Mussorgsky’s music remains a cornerstone of concert repertoire, celebrated for its emotional power and originality.

Édouard Colonne (1838–1910) was a celebrated French violinist and conductor who founded the Orchestre Colonne in Paris. He dedicated his career to performing and recording works by Hector Berlioz, Camille Saint-Saëns, and other French masters. Under his baton, the orchestra introduced many masterpieces to Parisian audiences and toured widely across Europe. Colonne also engaged in early recording experiments, preserving key performances for posterity. His passion for French music greatly influenced the country’s orchestral tradition.

Albert Pinkham Ryder (1847–1917) was an influential American artist known for his poetic and often dark-toned paintings. His works, including seascapes and allegories, emphasized mood over realistic detail and introduced haunting atmospheres. Ryder’s technique involved layering paint and using unorthodox materials, leading to preservation challenges for some pieces. Despite limited recognition during his lifetime, he influenced later modernist painters. Today, his paintings are prized for their emotional intensity and visionary quality.

Katharine Lee Bates (1859–1929) was an American poet and professor who penned the lyrics to America the Beautiful following a visit to Pikes Peak. As a lecturer at Wellesley College, she wrote extensively on travel, religion, and social reform. Bates published volumes of poetry and essays that reflected her deep appreciation of nature and commitment to social justice. Her hymn-like poem was later set to music, becoming one of the nation’s most beloved patriotic anthems. Bates’s writing continues to inspire through its lyrical beauty and ideals of unity.

Born in 1891 in Egypt, Mahmoud Mokhtar studied sculpture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was influenced by European modernism. He returned to Egypt in 1921 and created his most famous work, "Nahdat Misr" (Egypt's Awakening), which became a symbol of national pride. Mokhtar also served as a professor at the School of Fine Arts in Cairo, mentoring a generation of Egyptian artists. His sculptures often blended Pharaonic motifs with contemporary style to express themes of identity and liberation. He organized exhibitions that helped establish a modern Egyptian art movement. Mokhtar's contributions to art and education continued until his death in 1934, and his legacy endures in Egypt's cultural history.

Born in 1873 near Novgorod, Sergei Rachmaninoff studied piano and composition at the Moscow Conservatory. He gained fame with works like the Prelude in C-sharp minor and his First Piano Concerto, which showcased his lush harmonies and technical brilliance. After the Russian Revolution, he emigrated to the United States and Europe, building a successful career as a concert pianist. Rachmaninoff composed four piano concertos, three symphonies, and other orchestral and solo piano works that remain staples of the repertoire. He also conducted orchestras and recorded extensively, leaving a rich discography. Rachmaninoff's emotional depth and melodic gift have made him one of the most beloved figures in classical music history. He died in 1943 in Beverly Hills, California.

William Christopher Handy was an American musician, bandleader, and composer born in 1873. He popularized blues music with hits like 'St. Louis Blues' and 'Memphis Blues'. Handy's arrangements brought African American music to mainstream audiences. He published educational materials that shaped future generations of musicians. Throughout his career, he toured extensively and influenced jazz and rhythm and blues. Handy's legacy endures in his pivotal role in defining a distinctly American art form.

Arthur Crudup was born in 1905 in Forest, Mississippi, and became a Delta blues musician. He wrote and recorded songs like 'That's All Right' which were later popularized by Elvis Presley. Crudup's raw vocal style and guitar work laid groundwork for rock and roll. Despite his influence, he faced financial struggles and received little compensation for his compositions. He continued performing in clubs and festivals throughout his life. Crudup's legacy endures through his contributions to American music history.

Dorothy Fields was born in 1905 in Allenhurst, New Jersey, and became a prolific lyricist. She wrote lyrics for songs like 'The Way You Look Tonight' and 'On the Sunny Side of the Street'. Fields worked extensively in Broadway musicals and Hollywood films from the 1930s to 1960s. She was one of the first successful female songwriters in a male-dominated industry. Her collaborations include work with Jerome Kern, Jimmy McHugh, and Cy Coleman. Fields won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936.