December 12

Lodovico Giustini was born in Pistoia, Italy, in 1685. He served as an organist at local churches and courts throughout his career. In 1732, Giustini published Sonate da cimbalo di piano e forte, the earliest known collection of music composed expressly for the fortepiano. His compositions blend Baroque sophistication with emerging Classical sensibilities. Though little of his music survives, his pioneering work paved the way for future keyboard composers. Giustini’s sonatas demonstrate early use of dynamic contrast and expressive nuance unique to the piano’s design. He died in 1743, leaving behind a rare glimpse into early piano repertoire.

Karl Bryullov was born in 1799 near St. Petersburg and studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts. He gained international fame with his monumental painting The Last Day of Pompeii, completed in 1833, which captures the drama of the volcanic eruption. Bryullov’s style combines Neoclassical precision with Romantic emotion, influencing a generation of Russian artists. He traveled extensively in Italy, painting portraits of European nobility and intellectuals. In 1836, he was invited back to Russia to teach at the academy, where he mentored emerging painters. His works are celebrated for their vivid storytelling and technical mastery. Bryullov died in 1852 in Italy, leaving a legacy as one of Russia’s greatest 19th-century artists.

Edvard Munch was born in 1863 in Norway. He studied art in Oslo and Copenhagen before developing a unique style that fused Symbolism and early Expressionism. His works often portrayed themes of love, anxiety, death, and the human psyche. Munch's painting The Scream has become an enduring emblem of existential angst and has been reproduced and referenced worldwide. Throughout his career, he produced over a thousand paintings, prints, and drawings. His innovative techniques and emotional intensity influenced generations of artists and helped shape modern art in the 20th century.

Roy Douglas was born in 1907 in England and studied composition and piano at the Royal College of Music. He served as musical assistant to composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, and Arnold Bax, orchestrating and editing many of their major works. Douglas also composed his own symphonies, chamber pieces, and solo works, blending traditional and modern styles. His keen musical insight and technical skill earned him respect among his peers. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he remained active as a performer, arranger, and teacher. Douglas passed away in 2015, leaving a rich catalog of works that continues to be performed and studied.

Born on December 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Began his career as a big band singer in the 1930s before rising to solo fame. Won nine Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for his performance in the film From Here to Eternity. Starred in classic films such as The Man with the Golden Arm and Ocean's 11. Co-founded Reprise Records to gain artistic control over his music. Nicknamed Chairman of the Board and celebrated for his smooth vocal delivery. Influential in both music and film, leaving a lasting legacy in American entertainment.

Born on December 12, 1918, in Brunswick, Georgia. Gained fame as the vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra in the 1950s. Known for his masterful phrasing and dynamic stage presence. Recorded hits such as Every Day I Have the Blues and Alright, OK, You Win. Enjoyed a successful solo career spanning over five decades. Earned multiple Grammy Awards and nominations. Revered as one of the greatest jazz vocalists in history.

Born on December 12, 1923, in Cherry Hill, Arkansas. Arranged music for Miles Davis and performed in jazz clubs in the 1950s. Composed and sang songs for the educational series Schoolhouse Rock!, including Three Is a Magic Number. His playful, inventive style brought jazz into homes and classrooms. Recorded numerous albums as a leader and collaborator. Recognized for blending complex musicality with accessible melodies. Left a lasting impact on both jazz and children's educational programming.

Born on December 12, 1923, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Entered the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and became a nun, taking the name Sister Emahoy. Studied piano in Switzerland before returning to Ethiopia to compose. Produced over 200 solo piano compositions blending Ethiopian rhythms with classical styles. Her recordings gained international acclaim. Celebrated for her meditative, lyrical music and contributions to spiritual art. Lived in the monastery (Land of the Sleeping Church) until her passing in 2023.

Born in Kiev in 1925, Vladimir Shainsky studied at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in Leningrad. He rose to fame for composing fondly remembered children's songs and scores for Soviet films and cartoons. His works include popular tunes for the films "12 Chairs" and the cartoon "Go There, Don't Know Where". Shainsky received numerous honors including the USSR State Prize and the title People's Artist of Russia. His melodic style and expressive harmonies endeared him to audiences across generations. He continued composing and performing until his death in 2017, leaving a vast repertoire of beloved music.

Born in New York City in 1928, Helen Frankenthaler studied under Hans Hofmann and became a key figure in American Abstract Expressionism. In 1952, she developed her signature soak-stain method, applying thinned paint directly onto unprimed canvas to create luminous color fields. Her breakthrough work, "Mountains and Sea", influenced contemporaries such as Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland. Frankenthaler held teaching positions at Yale University and influenced generations of painters. Over her six-decade career, she produced a prolific body of work that is displayed in major museums worldwide. She was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1996. Frankenthaler passed away in 2011, leaving a legacy as one of the 20th century's most influential abstract painters.

Born in Liaoyang, China in 1929 and raised in Japan, Toshiko Akiyoshi studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music in the United States. She gained recognition for her virtuosic piano playing and formed the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band in 1973. Akiyoshi's compositions integrate Japanese folk melodies and scales into complex jazz arrangements. Her band received multiple Grammy nominations and critical acclaim for albums like "Long Yellow Road" and "Insights". As an educator, she taught at universities and conducted workshops worldwide, inspiring aspiring musicians. Throughout her career, she composed over 120 original works, solidifying her as a pioneering voice in modern jazz.

Connie Francis is an American pop singer and actress who rose to fame in the late 1950s. She became the top-charting female vocalist of the era with hits like Who's Sorry Now, Stupid Cupid, and Where the Boys Are. Her record sales surpassed 100 million worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Francis also ventured into acting, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the film adaptation of Where the Boys Are. Over her career, she recorded songs in multiple languages, showcasing her international appeal. She remains a pioneering figure in early rock and roll and pop music.