September 12

Benjamin Carr (1768–1831) was an influential figure in early United States music as a composer, educator, and publisher. He founded The Musical Journal and ran one of America's first music publishing houses. Carr composed patriotic songs, glees, and theater music that became popular during the War of 1812. He also taught voice and piano, nurturing musical talent in Philadelphia. His publishing efforts provided a platform for American composers at a time when European music dominated the market. Carr's entrepreneurial spirit helped establish a foundation for the nation's musical identity.

Theodor Kullak was born in 1818 and became one of 19th-century Germany’s foremost piano virtuosos. He founded the Neue Akademie der Tonkunst in Berlin, where he taught a generation of celebrated pianists. Kullak composed numerous piano works and studies that remain part of the repertoire today. His teaching methods emphasized expressive tone and technical precision, influencing piano pedagogy across Europe. He also performed extensively, earning acclaim for his interpretations of Chopin and Beethoven. Kullak’s legacy endures through his students and his published pedagogical works.

Anselm Feuerbach was born in 1829 and emerged as one of Germany’s leading painters of the 19th century. He embraced classical themes and produced large-scale figure compositions inspired by ancient mythology. Feuerbach’s work is characterized by idealized beauty, harmonious color palettes, and thoughtful compositions. He studied in Düsseldorf and later in Rome, where he immersed himself in Renaissance art. Feuerbach’s paintings influenced the academic art scene and paved the way for later Symbolist artists. He taught at the Vienna Academy and left a lasting impact on European painting.

Johann Heinrich Beck was born in 1856 in the United States. He trained in music composition and emerged as a skilled writer of symphonic, choral, and chamber music. As a conductor, he led regional orchestras and choral societies, championing classical repertoire. Beck's works were published and performed in concert halls across America. His melodic style and attention to craftsmanship earned him respect among contemporaries. He passed away in 1924, leaving a body of compositions that contributed to the American music scene.

Carl Eytel was born in Germany in 1862 and emigrated to the United States as a young man. He developed a passion for painting and illustration, focusing on desert landscapes of the American Southwest. Eytel's watercolors and pen-and-ink drawings appeared in magazines and books, bringing remote scenery to a wider audience. He collaborated with writers and naturalists, contributing illustrations to early publications about the frontier. His work helped shape popular perceptions of the desert environment. Eytel died in 1925, leaving a legacy as a pioneer artist of the American West.

Heinrich Hoffmann was a German photographer and art dealer who became Adolf Hitler's official photographer. He established a portrait studio in Munich and captured many of the regime's most enduring images. Hoffmann managed a publishing business that distributed postcards, posters, and books featuring these photographs across Germany. His work was instrumental to Nazi propaganda efforts in the 1930s. After World War II, he was detained by Allied forces and his assets seized. Today, Hoffmann's photographic archive offers crucial insights into the visual history of the Third Reich.

Freymóður Jóhannsson was an Icelandic painter and composer whose creative work drew deeply from the natural beauty of Iceland. He studied visual arts in Reykjavík before exploring musical composition, blending traditional Icelandic melodies with modern techniques. Jóhannsson's paintings often depict rugged coastlines, volcanic terrain, and the Northern Lights in vivid color. His musical pieces for piano and chamber ensembles evoke the rhythms and textures of the island's environment. He exhibited his artwork in galleries throughout Europe and performed his compositions at cultural festivals. Jóhannsson's multidisciplinary approach left a lasting mark on Iceland's artistic heritage.

Salvador Bacarisse was born near Madrid in 1898 and became a key figure in Spain's musical avant-garde. He studied at the Madrid Royal Conservatory and co-founded the Spanish Group of Eight, promoting modernist ideas. His compositions blended impressionist harmonies with Spanish folk elements across orchestral, chamber, and piano works. After the Spanish Civil War, he continued his creative output in exile in France, composing ballets and concertos. His best-known works include the Piano Concerto and Música para un ballet, which showcase his distinctive style. In the late 20th century, his legacy was rediscovered, reaffirming his importance in Spanish musical history.

Alma Moodie was born in Australia in 1898 and studied violin in Germany under the tutelage of Willy Hess. She gained acclaim for her refined tone and expressive interpretations of both classical and contemporary repertoire. As a soloist, she premiered concertos by composers such as Ferruccio Busoni and Paul Hindemith. Moodie joined the faculty of the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, where she trained a generation of violinists. Her recordings and live broadcasts in the 1930s captured the depth and nuance of her performances. Though her career was cut short by her untimely death in 1943, her influence endures through her students and legacy.

Ben Shahn, born in Lithuania in 1898 and emigrated to the United States as a child, became a leading social realist artist. His work highlighted political and social issues during the Great Depression, focusing on the struggles of workers and immigrants. Shahn worked across painting, photography, and printmaking, bringing a documentary sensibility to his art. He illustrated literary works and designed public murals under the Federal Art Project, making art accessible to all. His series on the Sacco and Vanzetti case remains a landmark example of politically engaged art. Shahn taught at various universities and continued to exhibit his art internationally until his death in 1969.

Born Mathilde Alerth in Montmorency, France, Mathé Altéry achieved fame for her performances in both opera and theater. Her crystalline soprano voice brought new life to Mozart heroines, French mélodies, and contemporary works. She graced major venues such as the Paris Opera and Opéra-Comique, and her recordings of Ravel and Debussy songs remain benchmarks. In addition to singing, she appeared in several French films and television productions, earning acclaim for her dramatic flair and musicality.

Robert Irwin was a key figure in the California Light and Space movement, creating installations that explored perception and environment. He began his career as a painter, later transforming entire museum galleries and outdoor spaces through sculptural interventions. His celebrated Los Angeles County Museum of Art Central Garden redefined the relationship between nature and architecture. Irwin’s meticulous use of light, form, and landscape influenced generations of artists and environmental designers. He continued to innovate until his passing in 2023 at age 95.