September 22

Born in Florence in 1535, Alessandro Allori was adopted and trained by the prominent painter Agnolo Bronzino. He emerged as a leading figure of the Mannerist movement, serving the Medici court with refined portraits and religious compositions. Allori’s works are noted for their elegant figures, vibrant colors, and intricate details. As a teacher at the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno, he influenced a generation of artists in Florence. Notable pieces include "Christ Carrying the Cross" and "Magdalene at the Tomb." His blend of classical form and expressive emotion cements his place in Renaissance art history.

Born Salvatore Antonio Guaragna in Brooklyn in 1893, Harry Warren adopted his professional name early in his career. He composed over 800 songs, many featured in Hollywood musicals of the 1930s and 1940s. Warren won three Academy Awards for Best Original Song, including 'You'll Never Know' and 'On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe'. His tunes like 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' and 'I Only Have Eyes for You' became timeless standards. Known for his catchy melodies and collaboration with top lyricists, he shaped the Golden Age of Hollywood music. Warren continued composing into his later years, passing away in 1981 and leaving a lasting legacy in popular music.

Irving Berlin was a prolific Russian-born American composer and lyricist. Over his career, he wrote an estimated 1,500 songs, including timeless classics like “White Christmas” and “God Bless America.” His work spanned Broadway musicals, Hollywood films, and special events. Berlin's simple yet evocative melodies became entrenched in American culture. He founded the music publishing company Irving Berlin Music Corporation. Honored with an Academy Award and a Congressional Gold Medal, his legacy endures.

Maurice Abravanel was a Greek-American conductor and pianist. He served as the music director of the Utah Symphony from 1947 to 1979. Abravanel transformed the Utah Symphony from a small regional ensemble to a nationally recognized orchestra. He championed modern and American composers, premiering numerous works. His recordings with the orchestra received critical acclaim. Abravanel’s visionary leadership left a lasting impact on American classical music.

Leonard Feather was an English-American jazz pianist and composer. He authored key reference works on jazz, including the Encyclopaedia of Jazz. As a record producer and critic, Feather shaped public appreciation of jazz music. His compositions were recorded by legends like Charlie Parker and Ella Fitzgerald. Feather worked as a journalist for publications such as Down Beat. His writings and recordings helped define modern jazz journalism and scholarship.

Dorothy Lamour was an American actress and singer. She gained fame for her roles alongside Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in the "Road to…" comedy films. Lamour’s signature looks included the sarong, which became her trademark. She appeared in over 50 films from the 1930s to the 1960s. In addition to acting, she recorded popular songs and toured as a singer. Lamour’s blend of glamour and humor made her a Hollywood icon.

Born in 1920 in Kremenets in present-day Ukraine, Stern immigrated to the United States as a boy and made his debut with the San Francisco Symphony at age 16. He quickly rose to international acclaim for his expressive playing and went on to mentor young musicians, co-founding the Young Concert Artists organization. In the 1960s, Stern led the successful campaign to preserve Carnegie Hall, preventing its demolition and securing its future as a premier concert venue. He served as a cultural ambassador during the Cold War, undertaking goodwill tours to the Soviet Union and China. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1967 and Kennedy Center Honors in 1988, Stern left a lasting impact through his recordings and the institutions he championed. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 81.

Petrus Schaesberg was a multifaceted artist and scholar whose paintings explored historical and philosophical themes. He studied art history and fine arts, earning recognition for his textured and conceptually rich canvases. As an academic, he lectured at leading European universities and published essays on contemporary art theory. Schaesberg organized international exhibitions, bridging the gap between practice and theory. His work as a curator and educator left a lasting impact on art education before his passing in 2008.

Edward Delaney emerged as a significant figure in Irish sculpture during the 1950s. Trained in Dublin and London, he developed a distinctive style marked by textured surfaces and abstracted human forms. Delaney's public works include war memorials and civic sculptures that adorn streets across Ireland. He received numerous awards and exhibited throughout Europe and America. His contributions helped define modern sculpture in Ireland, inspiring future generations of artists.

Eddie Fisher became one of the biggest pop stars of the 1950s, selling millions of records and headlining major venues. His smooth voice and charismatic stage presence endeared him to audiences worldwide. Fisher appeared on television variety shows and in several films, broadening his appeal beyond music. His high-profile marriages to Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor attracted significant media attention. Despite personal struggles, he remained active in entertainment, influencing the development of the modern teen idol phenomenon.

Knut Steen trained at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, blending Scandinavian design with French modernism. His work ranged from figurative to abstract, often in bronze and steel. Steen's public commissions include memorials, fountains, and portraits displayed throughout Norway and Europe. He held numerous solo exhibitions and received multiple awards for his contribution to sculpture. His innovative techniques and public installations have had a lasting impact on contemporary sculpture.

Grigory Frid was a Russian pianist and composer born in 1915. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory and developed a unique musical voice that blended modernist techniques with traditional melodies. Over his career, he composed numerous chamber pieces, songs, and monodramas that earned acclaim for their emotional depth. He performed widely, sharing his interpretations of both his own compositions and classical repertoire. Frid's contributions helped shape post-war Soviet music and continue to be celebrated by performers today.