September 28

Johann Mattheson was born in Hamburg in 1681 and became a central figure in Baroque music theory. He authored the influential treatise Der vollkommene Capellmeister, outlining principles of composition and performance. Mattheson also produced an early German music lexicon, defining terminology and theoretical concepts. In addition to his musical work, he served diplomatic roles in English and Prussian courts, linking art and statecraft. His writings and compositions continue to inform scholars about Baroque performance practice and theory.

Johann Peter Kellner was born in 1705 and served as an organist in churches across Central Germany. He composed a number of chorale preludes and liturgical works that reflect the Baroque musical aesthetic. Kellner's music shows the influence of the North German organ school and its contrapuntal traditions. While less prolific than some contemporaries, his surviving works offer insight into provincial church music. He died in 1772, leaving compositions valued by historians for their stylistic bridge between major Baroque figures.

Born in 1823 in Montpellier, Cabanel studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Paul Delaroche. He rose to fame with his 1863 painting 'The Birth of Venus,' which embodied the ideals of academic art. As a professor at the École, he influenced a generation of artists with his refined technique and classical themes. Cabanel exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon, earning imperial patronage and prestigious awards. His works blend idealized beauty with meticulous detail, marking him as a leading figure of 19th-century academic painting.

Florent Schmitt studied at the Paris Conservatoire under Gabriel Fauré and Jules Massenet. He gained recognition for orchestral pieces such as 'La tragédie de Salomé' and his piano suite 'Reflets d'Allemagne.' Schmitt was part of Les Apaches, a circle of avant-garde artists including Maurice Ravel. As a music critic, he championed contemporary composers and French musical innovation. His style blended Romantic lushness with modern harmonies, influencing the next generation of composers. Schmitt's extensive body of work spans orchestral, chamber, piano, and vocal music.

Mart Saar was a pioneering Estonian composer and organist whose work was central to the nation’s musical identity. He studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory before returning home to collect and arrange traditional Estonian folk songs. Saar’s compositions blend folk melodies with late-Romantic harmonies, evident in his piano suites and choral works. As an organist, he enriched church music with his distinctive style. Saar’s dedication to preserving and elevating folk traditions left an enduring legacy in Estonian music until his death in 1963.

Al Capp was born in 1909 and became one of the most influential American cartoonists of the 20th century. He launched the comic strip Li'l Abner in 1934, which ran continuously for over 40 years. Known for its sharp social satire and memorable characters like Daisy Mae and Mammy Yokum. His work reached millions of readers through newspapers, books, and merchandise worldwide. Capp received the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award and other honors for his contributions. He also wrote and illustrated political cartoons commenting on American society and culture. Capp's legacy endures as a pioneer of graphic storytelling and satire in comics. He passed away in 1979, leaving behind a groundbreaking body of illustrated work.

Warja Honegger-Lavater was born in 1913 in Switzerland and studied art and illustration. Over her career, she became known for her clean lines, bold colors, and imaginative compositions in book illustration. She collaborated with leading authors and publishers to bring stories to life for children and adults alike. Her work encompassed editorial illustration, advertising, and poster design, influencing mid-20th century graphic art. Honegger-Lavater taught illustration and design techniques, mentoring a generation of Swiss artists. Her illustrations remain sought after for their timeless style and emotional resonance. She passed away in 2007, leaving a legacy of innovative and enduring visual storytelling.

Maria Franziska von Trapp was born in Austria in 1914 as the second daughter of the von Trapp family. She emigrated to the United States with her family in 1938 after the Anschluss. Alongside her siblings, she performed as part of the Trapp Family Singers, touring internationally. Her family's story of music and resilience inspired the Broadway musical and film The Sound of Music. Franziska sang soprano and helped preserve the family's folk and sacred music heritage. She later lived a private life in Vermont, sharing her memories and music legacy. She celebrated her centennial in 2014, passing away at age 100 with a celebrated artistic heritage.

Tuli Kupferberg was a multifaceted American artist known for his poetry, music, and political activism. In 1964, he co-founded The Fugs, an underground band blending rock music with satirical and anti-war commentary. Kupferberg's poetry collections and illustrated books challenged conventional norms and inspired the 1960s counterculture. He co-edited the magazine Beatitude, contributing to the Beat literary movement in Greenwich Village. Throughout his life, he remained a vocal critic of war and a champion of free expression, leaving a lasting impact on American art.

Rudolf Barshai was a celebrated violist and conductor best known for founding the Moscow Chamber Orchestra in 1955. He served as principal violist for the Borodin Quartet before establishing his own ensemble to explore chamber repertoire. Barshai's recordings of Shostakovich's chamber works brought international acclaim to Soviet composers. After emigrating to the West in 1977, he continued his career in Switzerland and led orchestras around the world. His precise interpretations and advocacy for contemporary music left a lasting legacy in classical performance.

Born on September 28, 1925 in Paarl, South Africa, Cromwell Everson studied music at the University of Cape Town, where he developed his compositional voice. He emerged as a key figure in South African art music, writing choral pieces, orchestral works, and the country's first Afrikaans opera. Everson's music blended Western classical traditions with local influences, creating a distinct national sound. He also served as a lecturer and mentor, shaping future generations of South African musicians. His impactful career helped elevate the profile of South African classical music. Everson passed away in 1991, leaving behind a rich legacy of creative works.

Born on September 28, 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee, Koko Taylor began her career singing in local clubs before moving to Chicago in the early 1960s. Discovered by legendary bassist and producer Willie Dixon, she recorded the hit 'Wang Dang Doodle' in 1966, which became a blues standard. Over five decades, Taylor released more than a dozen albums, earned multiple Grammy nominations, and toured internationally. Her raw, emotive singing style and commanding stage presence influenced countless blues artists. Inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1987, she passed away in 2009, remembered as a powerhouse of the genre.