October 09

Born in 1796, Joseph Bonomi the Younger was the son of a prominent Italian sculptor and trained under his father's tutelage. He joined the second expedition of the Franco-Tuscan archaeological mission to Egypt, where he made pioneering architectural drawings. Bonomi's work documented monuments and tombs at Thebes, contributing to the early understanding of Egyptian architecture. Upon returning to London, he became a sought-after sculptor and exhibited at the Royal Academy, blending archaeological insight with artistry. His published memoirs and sketches provided critical resources for both scholars and artists until his death in 1878.

Born in 1835 in Paris, Camille Saint-Saëns displayed prodigious musical talent from a young age, performing Mozart's piano concertos at ten. He served as organist at the church of La Madeleine and became a celebrated concert pianist and teacher. Saint-Saëns was a prolific composer, writing operas, symphonies, chamber music, and the famous suite Carnival of the Animals. His Third Symphony, known as the Organ Symphony, remains one of his most enduring works. A champion of musical traditions, he also introduced audiences to works by contemporary composers before his death in 1921.

Born in London in 1840, Simeon Solomon joined the Pre-Raphaelite circle under the mentorship of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. He gained acclaim for his paintings and drawings that combined classical subjects with a unique emphasis on homoerotic themes. Solomon exhibited widely at the Royal Academy, where his nuanced use of watercolor and oil attracted both praise and controversy. Despite his artistic successes, personal struggles led to financial and social decline later in life. He left behind a body of work that has been re-evaluated for its bold expressiveness and emotional depth before his death in 1905.

Born in Moson, Austria-Hungary, in 1873, Carl Flesch showed prodigious talent as a violinist from a young age. He studied under renowned masters in Vienna and Budapest and launched an international performing career. In 1920, he began teaching at the Conservatoire de Paris and later at the Basel Hochschule, shaping generations of violinists. Flesch authored "The Art of Violin Playing," a landmark two-volume method still used by violin students today. He emphasized sound production, technique, and musical interpretation, blending German and French schools of playing. Flesch's pupils included many leading violinists of the 20th century. He died in 1944, remembered as one of the most influential violin teachers of his era.

Born in Saint Petersburg in 1874, Nicholas Roerich trained as a painter and became a leading figure in Russian Symbolism. He embarked on multiple expeditions in Central Asia and the Himalayas, documenting his archaeological and ethnographic findings. Roerich's artworks blend mysticism, nature, and folklore, earning international acclaim. He drafted the Roerich Pact in 1935, an international treaty to safeguard cultural and scientific institutions in times of war. Roerich founded the Museum of the Roerichs in New York and supported peace and cultural cooperation. His legacy spans art, archaeology, and humanitarian efforts. He died in 1947, honored as a guardian of cultural heritage.

Mário de Andrade (1893–1945) was a Brazilian author, poet, and photographer who played a pivotal role in the Modernist movement. He helped organize the 1922 Week of Modern Art in São Paulo, reshaping Brazil’s cultural identity. His novel Macunaíma blended folklore, music, and urban life to capture a unique Brazilian voice. As a photographer, Andrade documented architecture and everyday scenes, preserving visual records of Brazil’s past. His interdisciplinary work continues to influence Brazilian literature, art, and cultural studies.

Freddie Young was an English cinematographer celebrated for his work on epic films. He won three Academy Awards for Best Cinematography. Young collaborated with directors such as David Lean on movies like "Lawrence of Arabia", "Doctor Zhivago", and "Ryan’s Daughter". His innovative use of color and landscape photography set new standards in cinema. Young began his film career in the silent era and adapted to evolving technologies. He served as president of the British Society of Cinematographers. Young’s visual style influenced generations of cinematographers. He passed away in 1998, leaving a remarkable body of work.

Lee Wiley was an American jazz vocalist celebrated for her intimate singing style and pioneering concept albums. Rising to prominence in the 1930s, she performed with leading orchestras and became a radio star with her weekly broadcasts. Wiley created one of the first recorded songbook series, dedicating full albums to composers like Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. Her contralto voice and subtle phrasing earned her acclaim among critics and fellow musicians. Despite battling illness throughout her career, she continued to record and perform into the 1960s. Wiley’s interpretations influenced later generations of singers, including Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee. Today, she is remembered as a trailblazer who elevated the art of jazz vocal performance.

Bebo Valdés (1918–2013) began his career in Havana as a bandleader and pianist during the golden age of Cuban music. He composed and arranged for dance orchestras, helping popularize mambo and cha-cha-cha. After relocating to Europe, Valdés recorded a series of acclaimed albums that blended Cuban rhythms with modern jazz harmonies, earning international recognition and multiple awards. In his later years, he experienced a career resurgence, collaborating with contemporary artists and performing worldwide. His innovative approach and masterful technique left an enduring legacy in Afro-Cuban jazz.

Yusef Lateef (1920–2013) began his career playing tenor saxophone with notable jazz ensembles before developing a unique style that blended jazz with Middle Eastern, African, and Asian musical traditions. He mastered numerous instruments, including flute, oboe, and various world instruments, expanding the sonic palette of jazz. Lateef recorded over 60 albums as a leader, many of which explored modal improvisation and spiritual themes. As a music educator, he taught at several universities and wrote influential works on music theory and ethnomusicology. His pioneering fusion of global music elements opened new frontiers in jazz and inspired subsequent generations of musicians.

Born in Santiago de Cuba, Guillot rose to fame in the 1940s by blending Cuban rhythms with romantic bolero. She recorded over 60 albums and became one of the most popular vocalists in Latin America and Spain. Known for hits like 'Miénteme' and 'La Gloria Eres Tú', she toured extensively throughout her career. Guillot also starred in films and appeared on television, broadening her influence beyond music. Her powerful voice and emotive delivery inspired generations of singers in the Spanish-speaking world. She continued performing until her passing in Miami in 2010, leaving a lasting legacy in Latin music.

Born in Helsinki, Rautavaara studied at the Sibelius Academy and later in Vienna. He became one of Finland's most performed contemporary composers, known for works like 'Cantus Arcticus'. His music blended neo-romantic and modernist elements, with a fascination for mysticism. Rautavaara taught composition at the Sibelius Academy, influencing a generation of Finnish musicians. He received numerous honors, including the Wihuri Sibelius Prize and the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers award. His extensive catalog of symphonies, concertos, and operas remains central to modern classical repertoire.