April 01

Born in 1629, d'Anglebert became one of the leading musicians at the court of Louis XIV. He was appointed organist at the royal chapel and later served as harpsichord teacher to the king. In 1689, he published Pièces de clavecin, a landmark collection showcasing his refined ornamentation and contrapuntal skill. His compositions blended French elegance with Italian and Spanish influences, shaping the future of keyboard music. D'Anglebert was praised for his improvisational talents and mastery of fugue. He collaborated with notable contemporaries and contributed to the vibrant musical life at Versailles. He died in 1691, leaving a body of work that remains central to the French Baroque repertoire.

Pieter Hellendaal was born in Rotterdam and moved to England in the 1740s, where he served as organist at St. George's Church, Hanover Square. He studied under Geminiani as a violinist and became a sought-after performer across London. Hellendaal published numerous collections of violin and continuo sonatas that blended Dutch baroque traditions with English tastes. His works were admired for their lyrical melodies and harmonically rich textures, influencing chamber music of the era. Though his music fell into obscurity in the 19th century, his compositions are celebrated by early music ensembles today.

Born in Bassano del Grappa, Luigi Schiavonetti moved to London to pursue engraving and etching. He collaborated with artists like Francesco Bartolozzi, producing plates after works by Raphael and Correggio. Schiavonetti's precise technique and artistic sensitivity earned him commissions for book illustrations and gallery prints. His engravings were published in prominent collections, making European masterpieces accessible to a wider audience. Despite his untimely death in 1810, his prints remain prized by collectors and historians of printmaking.

William Mulready studied at the Royal Academy in London and became a member in 1823, known for his narrative painting style. His works, such as 'The Attentive Scholar' and 'The Broken Pitcher,' depict everyday life with meticulous detail and warmth. Mulready also designed illustrations for publishers, influencing the development of illustrated books. He exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and taught students who would become prominent Victorian artists. His focus on storytelling through art contributed to the popularity of genre painting in 19th-century Britain.

Edwin Austin Abbey studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and later moved to Europe, where he trained in Munich and Paris. He became a member of the Royal Academy in London and produced iconic illustrations for Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare. Abbey's notable works include murals at the Boston Public Library and the Royal Exchange in London. His meticulous detail and narrative style made him one of the leading illustrators of his era. Today, his paintings and illustrations are admired for their historical accuracy and artistic elegance.

William Blomfield began his career drawing cartoons for local newspapers, where his sharp wit and artistic skill earned widespread acclaim. His popular cartoons often lampooned politicians and social trends, making him a household name in New Zealand. Blomfield later served on the Auckland City Council, contributing to urban planning and public works initiatives. He balanced his artistic pursuits with civic responsibilities, demonstrating a unique fusion of creativity and leadership. His legacy endures in New Zealand's cartooning tradition and municipal history.

Ferruccio Busoni exhibited prodigious musical talent and gave his first public performance at age seven. He gained renown for his piano transcriptions of Bach and Liszt, which expanded the instrument's repertoire and technical possibilities. As a composer, Busoni championed a 'New Aesthetic' in music, blending classical forms with modernist ideas. His major works include the opera 'Doktor Faust' and the influential essay 'Sketch of a New Aesthetic of Music'. He taught at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik, shaping a generation of pianists and composers.

F. Melius Christiansen emigrated from Norway to the United States and became a pioneering figure in American choral music. He served as conductor of the St. Olaf College Choir from 1912 to 1943, introducing Nordic choral traditions and rigorous musical standards. Under his leadership, the St. Olaf Choir gained international acclaim for its purity of tone and unified blend. Christiansen's emphasis on musicality and diction set new benchmarks for choir performance. His teaching and method continue to influence choral pedagogy and ensemble singing today.

Born near Novgorod and trained at the Moscow Conservatory. He composed some of the most beloved piano works of the late Romantic era. Notable compositions include his Piano Concerto No.2, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and Symphony No.2. His lush harmonies and expressive melodies helped define the Russian Romantic tradition. Rachmaninoff was also a distinguished concert pianist and performed across Europe and America. After the Russian Revolution, he settled in the United States, where he continued performing and composing. His recordings remain celebrated for their emotional intensity and technical brilliance. He influenced generations of pianists and film composers with his distinctive style.

Born in New Orleans in 1895, Hunter moved to Chicago in the 1920s and quickly became a leading figure in the blues scene. She recorded classics like "Downhearted Blues" that influenced generations of jazz and blues artists. In 1954, she surprised many by retiring from music to train and serve as a nurse in New York City. Two decades later, she returned to the stage to critical acclaim, performing cabaret and blues in London and New York. Her husky voice, emotional delivery, and resilience won her new audiences late in life. Hunter died in 1984 at age 89, leaving behind a legacy of artistry and service.

Eddy Duchin was born in 1909 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He rose to fame as a nightclub pianist, blending classical technique with popular music. In the 1930s, Duchin formed his own orchestra, known for its smooth sound and romantic arrangements. His recordings and radio broadcasts made him one of America's leading bandleaders of the era. Duchin's life was dramatized in the Oscar-winning film 'The Eddy Duchin Story' in 1956. He died in 1951, but his music continues to be celebrated for its elegance and charm.

Harry Carney was born in 1910 in Boston, Massachusetts. He joined Duke Ellington's orchestra at age 17 and remained its baritone saxophonist for nearly half a century. Carney was one of the first to use the baritone sax as a solo instrument in jazz. His warm, deep tone enriched Ellington's arrangements and influenced generations of saxophonists. He also played clarinet on several recordings, showcasing his versatility. Carney died in 1974, remembered as a pioneer of jazz saxophone.