November 10

François Couperin was born in 1668 into a distinguished musical family and served as organist at the Royal Chapel of Versailles. He published landmark harpsichord collections such as 'Pièces de clavecin', blending French elegance with Italian virtuosity. His treatise 'L'Art de toucher le clavecin' became a foundational guide to Baroque performance practice. Known as 'Couperin le Grand', he also composed sacred music and chamber suites that embodied the sophistication of the French Baroque. He died in 1733, leaving a profound legacy in Western classical music.

William Hogarth was born in 1697 in London and became a leading figure in art and satire. His moral series like 'A Harlot's Progress' and 'Marriage à la Mode' used sequential imagery to lampoon 18th-century vices. He also wrote essays on aesthetics and campaigned for artists' copyright protections. Hogarth's blend of storytelling and social critique laid groundwork for modern comics and editorial cartoons. Exhibiting with the Society of Artists, he influenced both British and European satirists. He died in 1764, cementing his reputation as an innovator of visual satire.

Franz Anton Ries was born in Bonn in 1755 and became one of the leading violinists of his era. His reputation as a performer brought him to the courts of Germany, where he won acclaim for his artistry. Ries is most celebrated for teaching the eight-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven, imparting foundational techniques that influenced the composer’s development. In his later career, Ries served as a violin professor at the Bonn court academy, nurturing generations of musicians. He remained active in music well into his seventies, retiring in his homeland where he lived until 1846.

Winston Churchill was an American author and artist celebrated for his bestselling adventure novels and distinctive impressionist landscapes. Unlike his British namesake, he rose to fame in the early 20th century with works such as 'The Crisis' and 'Richard Carvel'. Churchill's novels combined meticulous historical research with compelling storytelling, earning him a dedicated readership. He was also an accomplished painter whose landscapes captured rural American scenes with vibrant color and light. His dual talents in literature and art made him a prominent cultural figure of his time.

Henri Rabaud (1873–1949) was a leading figure in early 20th-century French music. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, earning top honors in composition and organ. Rabaud wrote orchestral works, operas, choral pieces, and chamber music showcasing clarity and refined style. He served as music director of the Paris Opera and the Concerts Colonne orchestra. As a teacher, he influenced a generation of composers, including Arthur Honegger. His opera 'Mârouf, savetier du Caire' premiered in 1914 to great acclaim. Rabaud authored essays on music and helped reorganize the Paris Conservatoire after World War I. His music blends classical forms with the graceful nuances of French impressionism. Rabaud's legacy endures through recordings and performances of his compositions.

Idabelle Smith Firestone (1874–1954) was an American composer and songwriter celebrated for her lyrical melodies. She studied music privately and balanced creative work with her role in the Firestone tire company family. Firestone composed songs that blended classical influences with American folk traditions. Her works were performed on early radio broadcasts, bringing her music to a wide audience. She collaborated with lyricists to produce art songs and popular ballads in the early 20th century. Firestone's compositions often reflected themes of love, nature, and American identity. Though not widely recorded, her music influenced contemporary songwriters and composers. She was an active patron of music education and supported young artists. Her legacy lives on through sheet music archives and historical broadcasts.

Jacob Epstein (1880–1959) was a groundbreaking sculptor whose ambitious style challenged early 20th-century norms. Born in the United States, he moved to London and became a key figure in British modernist sculpture. Epstein's works, such as 'Rock Drill' and various public commissions, stirred controversy for their bold forms. He explored themes of human emotion, mythology, and social issues through powerful figurative work. Epstein taught at the Slade School of Fine Art, influencing a generation of artists. During World War I, he contributed to war memorials that blended realism with modernist aesthetics. He received numerous awards and held major exhibitions in Europe and America. Epstein's later works incorporated non-Western artistic influences and celebrated the human body. His legacy endures in public sculptures and the development of modern art discourse.

Edward Joseph Collins (1886–1951) was an American musician celebrated as a pianist, composer, and conductor. He studied at the University of Texas and later in Leipzig under renowned teachers. Collins composed orchestral works, piano pieces, and choral music reflecting American themes. He served as conductor of the Chicago Civic Opera Orchestra, leading major productions. Collins was praised for his sensitive pianism and lyrical compositional style. His 'Symphony in D minor' and various tone poems received performances by leading orchestras. He taught at the American Conservatory of Music, influencing future generations of American composers. Collins also championed contemporary works and American musical identity. His music remains part of the early 20th-century American repertoire and scholarly study.

Carl Stalling was born on November 10, 1891 in the United States. He began his career as a theater organist, accompanying silent films with live music. In 1936, he joined Warner Bros. Studios, where he developed innovative techniques for synchronizing music to animated action. Stalling created the distinctive soundtracks of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, blending classical pieces, jazz, and original motifs. He collaborated with animators like Tex Avery and Chuck Jones to heighten comedic timing through music. His work earned him recognition as a pioneer of cartoon scoring, influencing future generations of composers. Stalling retired in 1958, leaving behind a rich catalog of memorable themes that continue to delight audiences.

Kate Seredy was born on November 10, 1899 in Budapest, Hungary. She trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Budapest before immigrating to the United States in 1922. Seredy began illustrating for magazines and soon turned to writing children’s books. Her novel The White Stag won the Newbery Medal in 1938 and remains a classic of historical fantasy. She also authored The Good Master, which received a Newbery Honor, and illustrated many of her works with her distinctive style. Seredy’s stories often drew on Hungarian folklore and rural life, combining lyrical prose with detailed artwork. She passed away in 1975, leaving behind a rich legacy in children’s literature.

Born in Buenos Aires in 1908, Noemí Gerstein emerged as a leading figure in Argentine modernism. She studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts before traveling to Europe to refine her sculptural techniques. Gerstein developed a distinctive style that blended organic forms with geometric abstraction. She exhibited widely in Argentina and internationally, including at major galleries and biennales. In addition to her sculptures, she created book illustrations and designed public monuments. Her work remains influential in Latin American art and is held in important national collections.

Born in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1909, Johnny Marks studied composition at New York University. He wrote more holiday songs than any other composer, creating timeless hits such as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” His collaboration with lyricist Johnny Mercer and singer Burl Ives brought his music to global audiences. Marks was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “A Holly Jolly Christmas” in the film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. His melodies and heartfelt lyrics have been recorded by countless artists across generations. He died in 1985, but his songs continue to define the holiday season.