August 25

Andrea di Cione, known as Orcagna, was a leading figure in 14th-century Florence, excelling across multiple artistic disciplines. His celebrated works include the altarpiece in the Strozzi Chapel and the sculptural monuments in Santa Maria Novella. Orcagna also contributed to architectural projects, most notably the Loggia dei Lanzi in the Piazza della Signoria. Blending Gothic elegance with emerging Renaissance motifs, his style bridged artistic eras. He died in 1368, leaving a legacy that inspired generations of Italian artists.

Carlos Seixas (1704–1742) was a prolific Portuguese composer and organist whose keyboard sonatas display remarkable melodic invention. Born in Coimbra, he served as organist at the Royal Chapel in Lisbon, composing hundreds of works for harpsichord and organ. His compositions bridged late Baroque and early Classical styles, influencing contemporaries across Europe. Seixas’s music is celebrated for its emotional depth, elaborate ornamentation, and inventive harmonic progressions. Despite a short life, he left a significant corpus of instrumental and sacred music that remains central to Portuguese musical heritage.

Niccolò Jommelli (1714–1774) was a leading Italian composer whose innovative operas advanced the expressive potential of the genre. Appointed maestro di cappella in Naples and later at Stuttgart’s court, he introduced orchestral color and dramatic choral writing that influenced the future direction of opera seria. Jommelli also composed significant sacred works, including masses and oratorios, blending contrapuntal mastery with emotive melodies. As a teacher and theorist, he trained numerous composers and contributed to 18th-century musical pedagogy. His legacy lies in balancing dramatic intensity with structural clarity, shaping the transition toward Classical style in opera.

William Herschel (1738–1822) was a German-born astronomer and composer best known for discovering the planet Uranus in 1781. Emigrating to England, he built some of the largest telescopes of his time and conducted systematic surveys of the night sky, cataloguing thousands of stars, nebulae, and double stars. Herschel’s work on infrared radiation, including the discovery of infrared light beyond the red end of the visible spectrum, inaugurated a new field of physics. As a musician, he composed symphonies and organ music, reflecting his dual passions for science and the arts. His contributions to observational astronomy and instrument design established him as a foundational figure in the field. Herschel’s legacy endures through his pioneering methods and his family’s continued astronomical achievements.

Henri Fantin-Latour (1836–1904) was a French artist known for his exquisite floral still lifes and intimate group portraits of fellow artists and writers. Trained under the academic painter Charles-François Jalabert, he also drew inspiration from the Realist and Impressionist movements, though he maintained a distinctive style. Fantin-Latour exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon and gained acclaim for his delicate brushwork and mastery of color. He produced lithographs that captured the spirit of the Parisian art scene and collaborated with composers for musical illustrations. His works bridged the gap between academic tradition and modern experimentation, influencing subsequent generations of painters. Fantin-Latour’s legacy endures in museums worldwide, where his quiet yet powerful compositions continue to enchant viewers.

Born Theodore Leopold Friedman in 1890 in Circleville, Ohio, Lewis began his career in vaudeville before forming his own orchestra. He earned fame in the 1920s and 1930s with his distinctive high-clarinet sound, showmanship, and catchphrases like 'Is everybody happy?'. Lewis appeared in early musical films and made numerous hit recordings, including 'Tiger Rag' and 'Me and My Shadow'. His blend of music and comedy influenced the big band era and popular entertainment. Lewis continued performing until shortly before his death in 1971, leaving a lasting mark on American jazz.

Károly Kós was born in 1883 and studied architecture at the Budapest Technical University. Deeply inspired by Art Nouveau and local folk traditions, he developed a distinctive style that blended vernacular motifs with modern design. He designed notable buildings in Transylvania, including churches and community centers that celebrated regional culture. As an ethnologist, he documented rural folklore and crafts, publishing influential works on Transylvanian heritage. Politically, Kós co-founded the Hungarian Civic Party in Romania in 1921 and advocated for minority rights. His multi-faceted career left a lasting impact on architecture, cultural preservation, and politics in Central Europe.

Stan Kenton was born in 1911 in California and rose to prominence in the early 1940s with his own big band. His innovative arrangements and progressive jazz style featured expanded brass sections and experimental harmonies. Albums like Artistry in Rhythm and Innovations in Modern Music showcased his orchestral approach to jazz, blending classical elements with swing. Known for his mentoring of young musicians, Kenton’s bands launched the careers of many jazz greats. He toured extensively and recorded over 100 albums, leaving a major imprint on the big-band genre. His work paved the way for third-stream music that bridged jazz and classical traditions.

Anna German was born in 1936 in Urgench (now Uzbekistan) to a Polish mother and German father and moved to Poland after World War II. She achieved fame in the 1960s with her clear, lyrical soprano and multi-language repertoire, winning the Sopot International Song Festival in 1964. German recorded songs in Polish, Russian, German, Italian, and Spanish, which endeared her to audiences across Eastern Europe. In 1967, a serious car accident nearly ended her career, but she made a triumphant return to the stage in 1969. Her enduring hits include Człowieczy los and Tańczące Eurydyki. German’s legacy lives on through her timeless recordings and posthumous tributes.

Doug Stegmeyer (1951-1995) was an American bass guitarist who rose to fame as a member of Billy Joel’s backing band. His solid bass lines can be heard on many of Joel’s classic albums, including Turnstiles and The Stranger. Beyond his performance career, Stegmeyer worked as a record producer and arranger for various artists. He also toured briefly with the band Topper and participated in session work for other musicians. Stegmeyer’s influences included Motown and R&B, which informed his groove-oriented playing style. His contributions helped shape the sound of 1970s and 1980s rock and pop.

Rob Fisher (1956-1999) was an English musician, keyboard player, and songwriter. He co-founded the new wave pop duo Naked Eyes, achieving hit singles like Always Something There to Remind Me and Promises, Promises. Prior to Naked Eyes, Fisher was a member of the synthpop band Neon. His innovative use of synthesizers helped define the sound of early 1980s British pop. After Naked Eyes, Fisher continued writing and producing for other artists. His bright melodies and catchy hooks left a lasting mark on the new wave movement.

Carl Barks (1901-2000) was an influential American cartoonist, author, and illustrator best known for his work on Disney’s Donald Duck comics. He created the character Scrooge McDuck and introduced memorable locations like Duckburg and the Money Bin. Barks’ stories combined adventure, humor, and richly detailed artwork, earning him the nickname The Duck Man. His narratives inspired generations of readers and comic creators worldwide. Over his career, Barks produced hundreds of stories that remain in print. He received multiple awards and honors for his contributions to comics and popular culture. Barks’ legacy endures through the continued popularity of his characters and tales.