November 28

Hernando Franco (1532–1585) was a prominent Spanish composer of the Renaissance who served as maestro de capilla in Puebla and Mexico City. He brought advanced polyphonic techniques from Europe to the New World, shaping liturgical music traditions. His surviving masses, motets, and villancicos reflect a blend of Spanish style with New World influences. Franco's works are celebrated for their clarity, devotional depth, and contrapuntal skill. He remains a key figure in early American colonial music history.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) revolutionized Baroque art with dynamic sculptures full of realism and emotion. He designed the colonnade of St. Peter's Square and served as the leading artist of Pope Urban VIII's Rome. Bernini's masterpieces include the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, Apollo and Daphne, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers. His work blended architecture, sculpture, and stagecraft to create immersive visual experiences. Bernini's innovations set the standard for Baroque art and influenced generations of artists across Europe.

Giovanni Francesco Grimaldi (1606–1680), known as 'Il Bolognese,' excelled in fresco painting and architectural design. He decorated villas and palaces in Rome with mythological and religious scenes, showcasing refined color and composition. As an architect, he contributed to urban projects and church restorations, blending classical harmony with Baroque flair. Grimaldi published treatises on perspective and painting techniques, influencing fellow artists. His interdisciplinary talent exemplifies the collaborative spirit of Baroque art and architecture.

Giovanni Paolo Colonna (1637–1695) served as the esteemed maestro di cappella at Bologna's Basilica of San Petronio. He composed grand masses, motets, and instrumental works that exemplify late Baroque richness and counterpoint. Colonna mentored young musicians and published influential treatises on harmony and composition. His music blended liturgical solemnity with elaborate polyphonic textures, shaping the Bolognese school. Colonna's legacy lives on through his manuscripts and the continued performance of his sacred repertoire.

Johann Peter Salomon was a prominent violinist and concert promoter in late 18th-century Europe. He organized a historic series of London concerts, commissioning and premiering works by Franz Joseph Haydn, whom he brought to England in 1791. Salomon’s concerts were celebrated for their high artistic standards and helped establish London as a major center for classical music. As a composer, he wrote chamber works and symphonies, reflecting the prevailing Classical style. His dual role as performer and impresario significantly shaped the public’s appreciation of orchestral music in his era.

Frédéric Bazille was a French painter and member of the Impressionist movement, celebrated for his luminous landscapes and figure compositions. Born in Montpellier in 1841 to a wealthy family, he initially studied medicine but devoted himself to art under the guidance of Charles Gleyre in Paris. Bazille formed close friendships with fellow artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Sisley, frequently modeling for their works and collaborating on plein-air studies. His major works include 'Family Reunion' and 'The Pink Dress', which capture his mastery of light and color. With the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, Bazille enlisted in the infantry and tragically fell at the Battle of Beaune-la-Rolande at age 29, leaving behind a brief but influential legacy.

Stanisław Wyspiański was born in 1869 in Kraków and emerged as a leading figure of Polish modernism. A versatile artist, he wrote the landmark play 'Wesele' (The Wedding) in 1901, celebrated for its poetic language and social commentary. Wyspiański also produced over 200 pastel portraits, murals, and stained-glass designs, notably in St. Mary's Basilica. His literary works included poetry, essays, and sketches that captured the spirit of Polish culture under partition. Wyspiański's fusion of art, literature, and national identity left an enduring legacy in Poland's cultural renaissance before his death in 1907.

Born in 1893, K. C. Dey overcame his blindness to become a celebrated vocalist in Indian musicals. He composed and performed songs in pioneering sound films of the 1930s and 1940s. Dey also took on acting roles, showcasing his versatility on screen. His work influenced a generation of playback singers, including his nephew Manna Dey. Beyond cinema, he was revered for his classical renditions and devotional music. Dey passed away in 1962, remembered as a foundational figure in Indian film music.

Born in 1875, Havergal Brian produced an astonishing 32 symphonies, along with numerous choral and orchestral pieces. Despite his vast output, much of Brian's music remained unperformed during his lifetime due to its scale and complexity. He worked various jobs, including as a civil servant, to support his passion for composition. In later years, a revival of interest led to performances and recordings of his grand works. Brian's Symphony No. 1 'Gothic' is celebrated as one of the most ambitious symphonies ever written. He passed away in 1972, leaving behind a unique and formidable musical legacy.

Born in 1917 in Melbourne, Sidney Nolan emerged as a leading figure of Australian modernism. His iconic Ned Kelly series from the 1940s portrayed the outlaw in bold, abstracted landscapes that captured national imagination. Nolan moved to London in 1953, where he exhibited internationally and experimented with collage and mixed media. He taught at art schools across Europe and Australia, shaping a new generation of artists. Knighted in 1981 for his services to art, his work explored themes of identity, history, and the Australian bush. Nolan passed away in 1992, leaving a transformative legacy in twentieth-century painting.

Born in 1946 in Oshawa, Ontario, Jerry Edmonton moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1960s to pursue music with his brother Dennis Edmonton. As the drummer for Steppenwolf, he provided the driving beat behind classics like 'Born to Be Wild' and 'Magic Carpet Ride'. Edmonton’s powerful style helped define the band’s hard rock sound and influence the emerging heavy metal genre. After Steppenwolf disbanded in 1972, he continued performing in various musical projects and reunion tours. His energetic performances and solid rhythms made him a respected figure among rock musicians. Edmonton died in a car accident in 1993, and his contributions to rock drumming remain celebrated by fans worldwide.

Kal Mann was a prolific American songwriter active during the 1950s and 1960s. He penned lyrics for numerous pop and rock 'n' roll hits, collaborating with composers like Bernie Lowe. Mann co-founded the publishing company Cameo-Parkway Records, shaping early rock music trends. His songs were recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, and Chubby Checker. Beyond popular hits, he wrote television themes and novelty songs that captured the era's spirit. Mann's impact on mid-century American music endures through his timeless melodies and lyrics.