December 05

Henry Lawes was an influential English composer active in the early 17th century. He served as a musician to King Charles I and was renowned for his dramatic songs and consort music. His works included ayres, anthems, and theatrical pieces designed for court masques. Lawes published several collections that shaped English secular music, emphasizing expressive vocal writing. Despite the turmoil of the English Civil War, he maintained his musical career and later contributed to the Restoration court. His music remains a vital example of early Baroque style in England.

Francesco Scarlatti was an Italian musician and composer active during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The younger brother of Alessandro Scarlatti, he excelled as a violinist and contributed to the rich tradition of Neapolitan instrumental music. His surviving works include sonatas and cantatas that reflect the lyrical and ornate Baroque style. Scarlatti traveled across Europe, absorbing diverse musical influences that he wove into his compositions. While less celebrated than his brother, his music offers valuable insight into the evolving tastes of the Baroque era.

Francesco Geminiani was a celebrated Italian violinist and composer of the Baroque era. A pupil of Arcangelo Corelli, he gained renown for his virtuosic performances and expressive playing. In 1714, he relocated to England, where he became a leading figure in London’s musical circles. Geminiani authored 'The Art of Playing on the Violin,' a seminal treatise on violin technique that shaped generations of performers. His concertos and sonatas are admired for their melodic inventiveness and harmonic richness. Beyond composition, his teaching career cemented his legacy as a major influencer in European music.

Giuseppe de Majo was an Italian composer and organist active in the Neapolitan Baroque scene. He served as maestro di cappella at several prominent churches, including the conservatorio della Pietà dei Turchini. His oeuvre comprises masses, motets, and instrumental pieces distinguished by their expressive choral writing and rich textures. De Majo also held the position of royal chapel organist, contributing to court ceremonies. As a teacher, he influenced a generation of Neapolitan musicians and helped preserve the city’s musical traditions. His works remain valued for their elegance and devotional depth.

George Shepherd was an English illustrator and watercolor painter recognized for his precise architectural and topographical depictions of London. His artworks captured city streets, public buildings, and churches with remarkable clarity and artistic sensitivity. Shepherd’s prints were widely circulated in publications, offering visual records of the rapidly changing urban landscape during the late Georgian era. Beyond cityscapes, he produced landscapes and genre scenes noted for their delicate brushwork and composition. His contributions provide valuable insights into 19th-century British life and remain showcased in art collections and historical archives.

Konstantin Korovin was a leading figure of Russian Impressionism, celebrated for his luminous landscapes and urban scenes. He studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and was influenced by European Impressionists. Korovin also designed theatrical sets for the Bolshoi Theatre and collaborated with the Ballets Russes. His works captured the play of light and atmosphere, bringing modern sensibilities to Russian art. Later in life, he spent time in France, blending Western techniques with his own stylistic vision.

Vítězslav Novák was a leading figure in Czech music, blending folk elements with late-Romantic harmony and impressionist color. A protégé of Dvořák and Brahms, he developed a unique compositional voice that influenced peers and students alike. As a professor at the Prague Conservatory, Novák nurtured a generation of Czech musicians. His body of work includes orchestral poems, chamber music, and choral pieces that continue to be performed worldwide. Novák’s dedication to national music identity helped solidify Czech cultural pride during a period of political change.

David Bomberg was born on December 5, 1890 in England. He emerged as a leading modernist painter, experimenting with form and color. Bomberg taught at the Slade School of Fine Art, influencing a generation of artists. His early work reflected the Vorticist movement, while later pieces adopted more abstract landscapes. He also worked as an illustrator and was acclaimed for his graphic compositions. Bomberg's art faced periods of neglect but was later rediscovered as groundbreaking. He passed away in 1957, leaving a lasting impact on British modern art.

Fritz Lang was born on December 5, 1890 in Vienna, Austria. He became a leading figure in German Expressionist film, directing masterpieces such as Metropolis and M. Lang's work is noted for its striking visuals, innovative special effects, and tense narratives. After emigrating to the United States in the 1930s, he continued his career in Hollywood, directing film noirs and thrillers. He co-wrote and produced many of his films, showcasing his skill behind the camera and on the page. Lang's career spanned silent cinema to post-war studio filmmaking, influencing generations of directors. He died in 1976, leaving a legacy as one of cinema's most visionary storytellers.

Born in Tennessee in 1898, Grace Moore studied voice at Peabody Conservatory and Paris Conservatoire. She rose to fame with leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera and was noted for her lush soprano and charismatic stage presence. Moore transitioned to Hollywood in the 1930s, starring in musical films such as 'One Night of Love' and 'The Big Broadcast of 1938.' She became one of the first opera singers to find success on the silver screen, earning an Academy Award nomination. Moore toured extensively, bringing opera to new audiences across the United States. She died in 1947 but remains remembered for bridging classical music and popular entertainment.

Born in Chicago in 1901, Walt Disney developed a love for drawing and storytelling from a young age. In 1923, he and his brother Roy founded the Disney Brothers Studio in Hollywood. Disney created iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and produced the first full-length animated feature, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' in 1937. He expanded into theme parks with the opening of Disneyland in 1955, setting new standards for family entertainment. Under his leadership, The Walt Disney Company grew into a multimedia empire encompassing film, television, and theme parks. Disney received numerous Academy Awards and became a symbol of American creativity before his death in 1966.

Born in 1902 in Miskolc, Hungary, Emeric Pressburger moved to the United Kingdom and became a central figure in British cinema. In 1939, he formed the production company The Archers with director Michael Powell. They co-wrote and produced renowned films such as The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Matter of Life and Death (1946), and The Red Shoes (1948). Pressburger's work is celebrated for its inventive storytelling and striking visual style. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1952 for his contributions to film. He continued to influence cinema until his death in 1988 in London.