September 07

Matthäus Günther was born in 1705 in Aufkirch, Germany. He became one of the leading Rococo painters, known for his luminous frescoes adorning churches and palaces across Bavaria and Tyrol. Günther's work featured delicate color palettes, dynamic compositions, and expressive figures that enriched ecclesiastical architecture. He collaborated with prominent architects and craftsmen, contributing to major projects such as the Abbey of Ottobeuren and the Monastery of Ettal. His artistic legacy endures in the many surviving murals that showcase his mastery of light, space, and ornamentation. He died in 1788, leaving a body of work celebrated for its grace and vitality.

François-André Danican Philidor was born in 1726 into a family of musicians in Dreux, France. He gained fame as a prodigy pianist and composer, writing operas and symphonies that were popular in his time. Philidor was also celebrated as the leading chess player of his era, authoring the influential treatise 'Analyse du jeu des Échecs'. His strategic insights, such as the importance of pawn structure, transformed chess theory and remain foundational today. Balancing dual careers, he performed across Europe while competing in chess salons attended by nobility and intellectuals. Philidor died in 1795, leaving a unique legacy that bridged the worlds of music and competitive chess.

Johan Tobias Sergel was born in 1740 in Stockholm to a family of artisans. He studied in Paris and Rome, where he embraced neoclassical ideals and mastered marble sculpting techniques. Returning to Sweden, Sergel became court sculptor to King Gustav III and produced portraits, funerary monuments, and allegorical figures. His notable works include the statues of Gustav III and iconic reliefs that adorn Swedish royal palaces. Sergel was also a talented illustrator and produced hundreds of drawings reflecting classical themes and everyday life. He died in 1814, leaving a collection of sculptures and drawings that solidified his reputation as Sweden's foremost neoclassical artist.

Heinrich Stölzel was born in 1777 in Germany and trained as a hornist, performing with various orchestras across Europe. Seeking to overcome technical limitations of the natural horn, he invented the first practical valve mechanism in 1818. This innovation allowed brass instruments to play chromatic scales with greater ease and precision. Stölzel also composed works showcasing the capabilities of the new valve horn and taught the next generation of brass musicians. His invention laid the foundation for modern brass instrument design and expanded the range of orchestral and solo repertoire. He died in 1844, remembered as both a virtuoso performer and a transformative inventor.

Born in 1831 in Toulouse, Alexandre Falguière studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under the guidance of François Jouffroy. He won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1859, allowing him to study classical sculpture in Italy. Falguière's work ranged from mythological subjects to contemporary portraits, characterized by fluid forms and emotional expressiveness. Notable works include the bronze statue 'Tarcisius' and the fountain 'The Horse tamer' at the Luxembourg Gardens. He also produced paintings and taught at the École des Beaux-Arts, influencing a generation of artists. Falguière was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1878 and remained active until his death in 1900.

William Friese-Greene (1855–1921) was an innovative English photographer and inventor known for early cinematographic experiments. He developed a chronophotographic camera capable of capturing sequential images on celluloid film. Friese-Greene opened photographic studios across the UK and produced some of the first moving pictures. Despite technical achievements, financial hardships plagued him throughout his life. He influenced the emergence of the British film industry and is often called a father of cinematography. His passion for visual storytelling continues to inspire filmmakers and historians.

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, known as Grandma Moses (1860–1961), started painting at age 78 after arthritis made embroidery difficult. Her vibrant, naive-style depictions of rural American life captured public imagination during the 20th century. She exhibited at galleries and fairs, and her works were reproduced as popular prints and postcards. Grandma Moses documented farm activities, seasonal celebrations, and community traditions with warmth and detail. In 1960, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, becoming an icon of American folk art. Her legacy endures through museums, retrospectives, and a society dedicated to her art.

Born in Athens in 1883, Sakellaridis studied at the Athens Conservatoire and quickly gained acclaim for his compositions. He wrote numerous operettas, with works like "The Godson" becoming classics of Greek musical theater. As a conductor, he led orchestras at the National Opera and introduced contemporary European styles to Greek audiences. He also taught composition, nurturing the next generation of Greek musicians. His fusion of folk melodies with Western operatic forms secured his place in Greece's cultural history.

Oscar O'Brien was born in 1892 and ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in Canada. Alongside his pastoral duties, he cultivated a deep passion for music and formal studies in piano. He served as organist and choir director at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Toronto for many years. His compositions blended classical techniques with sacred themes, enriching Canadian liturgical music. Many of his choral and solo piano works were performed by church ensembles and in concert halls. He continued to compose and teach until his death in 1958, leaving a lasting musical legacy.

Al Sherman was born in 1897 in New York City and rose to fame as a Tin Pan Alley songwriter. He penned dozens of hit tunes during the 1920s and 1930s for Broadway revues and early sound films. His catchy melodies and playful lyrics resonated with audiences across North America. Notable songs include 'Lindbergh (The Eagle of the U.S.A.)' and 'Now’s the Time to Fall in Love.' Later in life, he mentored his sons, Robert and Richard Sherman, who became acclaimed composers for Disney. Al Sherman's contributions helped shape the golden age of American popular music before his death in 1973.

Ahmed Adnan Saygun was one of the most influential Turkish composers of the 20th century. He studied in Paris before returning to Turkey to teach and help establish the Ankara State Conservatory. His compositions, including the famous 'Yunus Emre' oratorio, integrated folk melodies with symphonic forms. As a musicologist, he collected and transcribed hundreds of traditional Turkish folk songs, preserving cultural heritage. Saygun wrote five symphonies, operas, and chamber works that remain central to Turkey's classical repertoire. His efforts helped shape the national musical identity and inspired future generations of composers.

Max Kaminsky was an influential jazz trumpeter and bandleader active in the mid-20th century. Born in Philadelphia, he gained acclaim for his swing-style trumpet playing and melodic phrasing. Kaminsky led his own bands on tours and radio broadcasts, helping popularize Dixieland and traditional jazz. He recorded with major labels and collaborated with prominent jazz musicians of his era. Renowned for his bright tone and rhythmic vitality, he also mentored younger players entering the jazz world. His contributions helped sustain classic jazz styles during the rise of bebop and modern jazz movements.