May 29

Born in Exeter, England. He established himself as an accomplished church organist. Jackson composed numerous organ voluntaries and anthems. His works were performed widely in Anglican worship services. He contributed to the musical life of Exeter Cathedral. Although details of his personal life remain scarce, his compositions endured. He died in 1803, leaving a modest but respected musical legacy.

Born in Paris into the artistic Drölling family. She studied under her father, the painter Martin Drolling. Drölling specialized in portrait and genre paintings that exemplified Neoclassical elegance. Her works were exhibited at the Paris Salon, earning critical praise. She often depicted fashionable society and domestic scenes with refined detail. Despite a short career cut short by her early death, she influenced 19th-century French art. She died in 1836, remembered for her delicate technique and stylish compositions.

Born in Camprodon, Catalonia. A child prodigy, he made his debut at four years old. He studied in Paris and Leipzig, refining his piano artistry. Albéniz's compositions, notably 'Suite Española' and the 'Iberia' suite, blend flamenco and classical styles. He performed widely across Europe, popularizing Spanish musical idioms. Settling in London and Paris, he composed many of his celebrated piano works. He died in 1909, remembered as one of Spain's greatest composers.

Born in New York City. He studied painting at Yale University before moving to Paris to further his training. Voorhees became a founding member of the Old Lyme art colony in Connecticut. His impressionist works often depict serene coastal scenes and New England landscapes. He favored a soft palette and loose brushwork that captured light and atmosphere. Voorhees exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design. He died in 1933, leaving a lasting contribution to American Impressionism.

Born in Süste, Estonia. He studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory under Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Tobias combined Estonian folk melodies with Romantic orchestration. He wrote the first Estonian symphony, helping establish a national musical style. As an organist, he served at churches in Germany and Estonia. His works include orchestral pieces, chamber music, and choral works. He died in 1918 in Berlin, remembered for pioneering Estonia's classical music tradition.

Beatrice Lillie was a celebrated comic actress whose career spanned stage, film, and radio in the early to mid-20th century. Born in Canada and raised in England, she gained fame for her flawless timing, whimsical songs, and satirical sketches. Lillie collaborated with major entertainers of her era, delighting audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. She also wrote songs and sketches that showcased her playful humor and clever lyrics. Her enduring contributions to comedy have influenced generations of performers and solidified her reputation as a pioneering woman in entertainment.

Erich Wolfgang Korngold was a child prodigy who rose to fame as a composer in Vienna before pioneering the symphonic film score in Hollywood. His richly melodic music for films like The Adventures of Robin Hood earned him two Academy Awards and established the modern soundtrack tradition. Korngold’s concert works, including operas and orchestral compositions, displayed his mastery of late-Romantic harmony and orchestration. After a period of neglect, his music experienced a revival for its emotional depth and cinematic grandeur. Today he is revered as one of the most influential composers bridging classical and film music.

Bob Hope was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century, with a career spanning vaudeville, Broadway, radio, movies, and television. Born in England and raised in the United States, he became famous for his rapid-fire one-liners, playful banter, and charismatic stage persona. Hope starred in over 70 films, hosted The Academy Awards a record 19 times, and produced numerous radio and TV shows. He was beloved for his dedication to performing live shows for American service members overseas, earning him the nickname 'Host with the Most'. His influence on comedy and entertainment endures, making him an icon of show business.

Aleksandr Laktionov was a leading figure of the Soviet realist movement, known for his meticulous technique and vibrant detail. Trained at the Repin Institute in Leningrad, he produced works that idealized post-war Soviet society. Laktionov's most famous painting, Letter from the Front, captures the emotional reunion of a soldier and his family. His attention to light and texture brought scenes of factory workers, children, and harvest fields to life. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, he exhibited widely across the USSR and abroad. Laktionov's art exemplifies the optimistic spirit and communal values of the era. His paintings remain celebrated examples of Socialist Realism.

Born in Stuttgart, Münchinger rose to prominence as the founder of the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. Under his direction, the ensemble achieved international acclaim for its precision and musicality. He championed the works of Bach, Handel, and other early composers, contributing to the revival of historically informed performance. Münchinger recorded extensively, leaving behind a legacy of influential recordings that shaped 20th-century interpretations of Baroque music. He also composed original works and arrangements, demonstrating versatility as both conductor and creator. His leadership style was noted for its discipline coupled with expressive nuance, inspiring generations of musicians.

Born in Sydney in 1921, Hetherington began his artistic career as a cartoonist for newspapers and magazines. In 1959, he introduced Mr. Squiggle on Australian television, enchanting audiences with his whimsical drawing antics. Combining puppetry and visual art, he crafted imaginative characters that became staples of children’s entertainment. Hetherington’s creativity and dedication sustained the Mr. Squiggle series for over four decades. Beyond television, he produced editorial cartoons and mentored emerging artists in Australia. His contributions to cartooning and puppetry left an indelible mark on the country’s cultural landscape.

Born in 1922, Xenakis studied engineering under Le Corbusier before turning to music composition. He introduced mathematical models and probabilistic methods into his works, creating a unique sonic language. His landmark piece, Metastasis, exemplifies his integration of architecture, mathematics, and sound. Xenakis co-founded the Groupe de Recherches Musicales and contributed to the development of electronic and computer music. He authored influential theoretical writings that bridged acoustics, music theory, and technical research. Throughout his career, he remained committed to innovation, leaving a transformative imprint on contemporary music.