September 14

Li Mian (717–788) served the Tang court in multiple roles including judge, military general, and regional governor. He earned a reputation for strict fairness in legal affairs and loyalty to the imperial family. On the battlefield, he defended frontier territories against rebels and external threats. A cultured scholar, he composed poems and music reflecting the refined tastes of the Tang elite. His multifaceted career exemplified the scholar-official ideal of medieval China.

Nicolas Lancret (1690–1743) was a leading French Rococo painter celebrated for his refined genre scenes depicting aristocratic leisure. He trained under Claude Gillot and later became a member of the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. Lancret’s work often focused on lighthearted fêtes galantes, capturing elegant costumes and pastoral settings. His paintings adorned the salons and private residences of the Parisian elite. Though sometimes compared unfavorably to Antoine Watteau, Lancret developed his own graceful style and a cheerful palette. His contributions helped define the visual culture of early 18th-century France.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812–1852) was a leading figure in the 19th-century Gothic Revival architectural movement. He advocated for a return to medieval design principles as a moral imperative and detailed this vision in his influential treatises like 'Contrasts' and 'True Principles.' Pugin collaborated with Charles Barry on the design of the Palace of Westminster’s interiors and designed country houses such as Scarisbrick Hall. His work emphasized authenticity in craftsmanship, ornamentation, and ecclesiastical architecture. Although he struggled with health and financial pressures, his ideas profoundly impacted Victorian architecture and design. Pugin’s legacy endures in the many churches, houses, and public buildings he influenced.

Johannes Bosboom was born in The Hague in 1817 and became a prominent figure of the Hague School. He specialized in painting evocative interiors of Gothic churches, capturing the interplay of light and shadow. Bosboom also produced seascapes that conveyed the mood of the North Sea coast. Throughout his career, he exhibited widely across Europe and influenced Dutch landscape painting. His masterful use of color and atmosphere remains admired by art enthusiasts.

Tom Roberts was born in 1856 in England and emigrated to Australia as a child. He studied art in London and returned to become a central member of the Heidelberg School, Australia’s first major art movement. Roberts is famous for works like ‘Shearing the Rams’ that depict rural life with impressionist techniques. He taught at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School and influenced future Australian painters. His legacy endures in the nation’s cultural history.

Ossip Gabrilowitsch (1878–1936) was a Russian-American pianist and conductor celebrated for his elegant performances and interpretive depth. Born in Voronezh, Russia, he studied at the Munich Conservatory under Bernhard Stavenhagen. He won the Anton Rubinstein Competition in 1899, establishing himself as a formidable piano virtuoso. In 1918 he became the inaugural music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, leading it to national prominence. Gabrilowitsch was highly regarded for his collaborations with singer Ernestine Schumann-Heink and for premiering works by contemporary composers. He married Clara Clemens, the daughter of author Mark Twain, in 1909. Throughout his career he championed both classical repertoire and modern compositions, leaving a lasting impact on American musical life.

Fritz Busch (1890–1951) was a German conductor acclaimed for his insightful and energetic interpretations in both opera and concert halls. Born in Siegen, he studied piano and composition at the Leipzig Conservatory before making his conducting debut in 1914 at Dresden's Royal Opera House. As Music Director of the Dresden State Opera from 1922, Busch championed works by Mozart, Wagner, and Strauss, and attracted international acclaim. After opposing the Nazi regime, he left Germany in 1933 and served at the Salzburg Festival, London's Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and Covent Garden. In 1935 he accepted a position with the San Francisco Opera, where he expanded the company's repertoire and raised performance standards. Busch's recordings and premieres of modern operas cemented his reputation as a forward-thinking maestro. He remained an influential figure until his death in Copenhagen in 1951.

Wayne Morris (1914–1959) was an American film actor and singer who rose to prominence at Warner Bros. in the late 1930s. Born in Los Angeles, he made his screen debut in the film Kid Galahad (1937) and went on to star in a string of action pictures and wartime musicals. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Morris enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a decorated fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. After World War II, he returned to Hollywood, taking on character roles and eventually branching out into film production. Morris's wartime heroics and on-screen charisma made him a popular figure on both sides of the camera. His career spanned more than two decades, although health issues curtailed his later work. He passed away unexpectedly in 1959, leaving behind a unique legacy as both entertainer and war hero.

Walter Herbert began his conducting career in Europe before emigrating to the United States in the 1940s. He served as general director of the San Francisco Opera from 1951 to 1970, elevating the company's artistic profile. Herbert championed American composers and introduced modern repertoire alongside standard operatic classics. His tenure saw landmark productions and collaborations with leading singers of the era, fostering growth in West Coast opera culture. Beyond his administrative role, he continued to conduct orchestras worldwide, earning recognition for his musical insight and dynamic programming.

Furry Lewis, born Walter Lewis, emerged in the 1920s Memphis blues scene, recording seminal tracks for Victor Records. His intricate fingerpicking guitar style and emotive vocals captured the essence of the Delta blues tradition. Although he retired from music during the Great Depression, Lewis was rediscovered during the 1960s folk and blues revival. He recorded new albums, performed at major festivals, and influenced a generation of blues guitarists. Lewis's legacy endures through his recordings and the musicians he inspired, preserving a vital chapter of American musical heritage.

Christian Ferras studied at the Paris Conservatoire, winning top honors by age 16 in 1950. He gained international recognition after performing with leading orchestras and making landmark recordings of works by Bach, Mendelssohn, and Ysaÿe. Ferras formed a renowned duo with pianist Pierre Barbizet, touring extensively and recording celebrated violin-piano repertoire. His interpretations were praised for their poetic lyricism, technical precision, and emotional depth. Despite a fruitful career, Ferras struggled with personal challenges and died prematurely in 1982, leaving a profound impact on violin performance standards.

Dámaso Pérez Prado (1916–1989) was a Cuban bandleader, pianist, and composer who became famous as the 'King of the Mambo.' He popularized the mambo rhythm in the 1940s and 1950s, leading his orchestra to international success. Prado moved to Mexico City in 1949, where he recorded hits like 'Mambo No. 5' and 'Qué Rico Mambo.' His energetic arrangements and daring brass sections defined an era of Latin dance music. He toured widely throughout the Americas and Europe, influencing jazz and pop musicians. Prado's recordings helped bring Afro-Cuban sounds to mainstream audiences. He continued performing and recording until his death in 1989. His legacy endures in Latin music and dance culture worldwide.