September 20

Born around 1400 in Mons, Binchois became a leading figure of the Burgundian School. He served at the court of Duke Philip the Good in Dijon, composing secular chansons and sacred works admired throughout Europe. His melodic style, characterized by smooth, expressive lines, influenced contemporaries such as Guillaume Dufay and Johannes Ockeghem. Binchois’s surviving oeuvre includes dozens of songs and mass movements that helped define early Renaissance musical aesthetics. He left a lasting legacy in Western music before his death in 1460.

Born around 1450, Veit Stoss trained in Nuremberg before moving to Kraków, where he created his renowned 'Lamentation of Christ' altarpiece. His sculptures are noted for their emotional intensity, intricate drapery, and lifelike figures. After returning to Nuremberg in 1514, he continued to produce major works for churches and civic buildings. Despite legal and financial difficulties later in life, his artistry influenced the transition from Gothic to Renaissance styles in Northern Europe. Stoss’s legacy endures through the expressive power and technical brilliance of his carvings. He died in 1533, leaving behind a body of work that defined an era of sculpture.

Born in Ronse in 1515, de Rore studied under the influential Adrian Willaert in Venice. He published groundbreaking madrigal collections that introduced bold chromaticism and emotional depth. In 1559, he was appointed maestro di cappella for the Este court, where he supervised musical performances and taught young composers. His works, including the 'Primo libro de madrigali', shaped the evolution of secular vocal music. De Rore’s fusion of Franco-Flemish polyphony with Italian lyricism left a lasting imprint on the madrigal tradition. He died in 1565, remembered as a pioneer of expressive musical language.

Born in Ferrara in 1534, Agostini was ordained and became a respected member of the Este court’s intellectual circle. He published madrigal collections that combined witty text settings with musical innovation. As a scholar, he wrote treatises on classical poetics and linguistics, bridging the worlds of music and humanist study. His dual expertise earned him esteem among composers and academics alike. Agostini’s work influenced the development of secular vocal music in Italy. He died in 1590, remembered for his contributions to both sacred duty and artistic creativity.

Pablo de Sarasate was a Spanish violinist and composer born in 1844 who gained international fame for his flawless technique and expressive playing. A child prodigy, he studied at the Paris Conservatory and launched a successful concert career across Europe and America. Sarasate composed virtuosic showpieces such as Zigeunerweisen and Carmen Fantasy, which remain staples of the violin repertoire. His elegant interpretation and commanding stage presence influenced generations of violinists. In addition to performing, he collaborated with leading composers and enriched violin literature. He died in 1908, leaving behind a legacy of dazzling performances and enduring compositions.

Heino Kaski (1885–1957) was a Finnish composer and pianist known for his expressive chamber music and piano miniatures. Trained at the Helsinki Music Institute and later in Paris with Paul Le Flem, he synthesized Finnish folk melodies with Impressionist harmonies. Kaski's oeuvre includes a symphonic suite, numerous songs, and a celebrated piano suite titled Enkeli (The Angel). His lyrical style and radiant themes earned him acclaim in Finnish musical circles. He also taught at the Helsinki Conservatory, nurturing young talent. Kaski's intimate compositions remain staples of Scandinavian piano repertoire.

Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) was a Finnish composer and violinist whose music became synonymous with Finland’s national awakening. After studying in Helsinki and Berlin, he developed a distinctive voice in works like the Finlandia tone poem, five mature symphonies, and a celebrated Violin Concerto. Sibelius drew on Finnish mythology and landscapes to create music that stirred patriotic sentiments and international admiration. Despite his success, he led a reclusive life later on, often withdrawing from public performances. His influence on 20th-century music endures through the emotional depth and innovation of his orchestral compositions. Today, he is celebrated as Finland’s greatest composer.

Born in 1943 in South Philadelphia, Croce began performing in folk clubs during the 1960s. He developed a distinctive songwriting style, blending folk, rock, and pop with narrative lyrics. His breakthrough came with the album 'You Don't Mess Around with Jim,' featuring chart-toppers. Tragically, his promising career was cut short in a plane crash in 1973. His songs continue to resonate for their warmth, wit, and emotional depth.

Born in 1948 in Chicago, Goodman became a fixture on the 1970s folk music scene. His heartfelt lyrics and melodic guitar work earned him critical acclaim among peers like John Prine. He wrote 'City of New Orleans,' which became a hit for Arlo Guthrie and a folk standard. Battling leukemia throughout his career, he continued to write and perform until his early death. His work remains influential in folk and Americana music.

Born in 1924, Stewart began his career writing comedy for radio and television. He wrote the book for 'Bye Bye Birdie,' earning a Tony Award and launching a string of Broadway hits. His credits include 'Hello, Dolly!,' 'Carnival!,' and other enduring musicals. He collaborated with leading composers and lyricists to shape the Golden Age of Broadway. Stewart's clever dialogue and strong characters left a lasting mark on American musical theatre until his death in 1987.

Born Julius Kerwin Stein in London in 1905, Jule Styne moved to the United States as a child and began writing songs in the 1930s. He composed hundreds of memorable melodies for stage and screen, earning multiple Tony Awards. His collaborations with lyricists such as Stephen Sondheim produced timeless shows like Gypsy (1959) and Funny Girl (1964), showcasing voices such as Ethel Merman and Barbra Streisand. Styne’s melodic inventiveness and dramatic flair helped define the golden age of Broadway. Beyond the theatre, he wrote chart-topping songs for films, including "Three Coins in the Fountain" and "People." In recognition of his contributions to American music, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Styne continued to mentor young composers and remained active until his passing on September 20, 1994.

Born in 1912 in Springfield, Ohio, Paul Weston studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before pursuing music at Juilliard. He became a staff arranger and conductor for big bands and soon established his own orchestra, creating lush, atmospheric recordings that came to be known as "mood music." Weston collaborated with his wife, singer Jo Stafford, producing hit recordings and television appearances. His innovative orchestral arrangements helped define the easy listening genre in the 1950s and 1960s. Weston also composed original scores for radio and television programs, showcasing his versatility. He remained active as a performer and mentor for young musicians well into his later years. Paul Weston passed away on September 20, 1996, leaving a lasting influence on popular orchestral music.