December 14

Born in 1730, Capel Bond was a prominent figure in 18th-century English music. He served as organist of various churches, including Worcester Cathedral. His compositions include a range of organ voluntaries, anthems, and instrumental works. Bond's choral anthems were performed regularly in cathedrals and private chapels. He contributed to the development of the English style of keyboard and church music. Despite limited recognition in later centuries, his works have been revived in modern performances. He died in 1790, leaving behind a modest but valued catalog of sacred and secular compositions.

Jan Antonín Koželuh was born in 1738 in Velvary, Bohemia. He studied under the composer František Xaver Dušek and later became a prominent composer in Prague. Koželuh composed masses, motets, and instrumental music, blending classical forms with Czech stylistic elements. He served as chapel master at St. Vitus Cathedral, overseeing musical activities and training singers. As an educator, he mentored young composers and musicians, contributing to the flourishing of Czech music. His works were published and performed across Central Europe during his lifetime. He died in 1814, leaving a legacy as a key figure in the transition to the Classical era in Bohemia.

Maria Szymanowska was born in 1789 in Warsaw and became a celebrated figure in European salon music. She studied piano under Muzio Clementi in London, refining her virtuosic and expressive style. Szymanowska toured extensively, performing in major cultural centers such as Paris and St. Petersburg. Her compositions include piano etudes, nocturnes, and ballads that anticipated Romantic pianism. She also ran a music salon in St. Petersburg, where she taught and influenced emerging composers. Szymanowska's work brought Polish folk elements into classical forms, inspiring later generations. She died in 1831, leaving a legacy as one of the first professional women pianists and composers.

Born in Lyon in 1824, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He gained fame for his monumental murals in public buildings such as the Panthéon and Sorbonne. His allegorical and symbolic imagery earned him the title 'Painter of Modern France'. He influenced early modernists like Henri Matisse with his muted palette and simplified forms. He served as director of the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts from 1892 until his death. His legacy endures in the fusion of academic tradition and avant-garde sensibility he pioneered.

Born in London in 1866, he studied at King’s College and the Slade School of Art. He championed modern French artists, curating influential 1910 and 1912 exhibitions in London. A founding member of the Bloomsbury Group and the Omega Workshops, he promoted avant-garde design. His writings on aesthetics and art philosophy reshaped British attitudes toward modern art. He painted landscapes and portraits with a focus on color harmony and form. He died in 1934, remembered as a key figure in British modernism.

Born in Smyrna in 1883, he studied at the Munich Conservatory and in Vienna. He aimed to create a distinct Greek musical identity, blending folk melodies with classical forms. His major works include the operas The Mother's Ring and Ariadne, and symphonic poems. In 1926, he became the first director of the Hellenic Conservatory, promoting national composers. He wrote books on music theory and folklore, influencing generations of Greek musicians. He died in 1962, celebrated as the father of modern Greek classical music.

Born Oscar Agustín Alejandro Schulz Solari in 1887, Xul Solar was an influential Argentinian artist and inventor of imaginary languages. His surreal paintings often feature mystical symbols, cosmic landscapes, and a vivid color palette. A close friend of writer Jorge Luis Borges, Solar explored themes of spirituality, astrology, and the unconscious mind. He also created the Pan Lingua, a universal language, and the game Zoomorphs. Solar's avant-garde work left a significant mark on Latin American modern art, inspiring generations of artists. He passed away in 1963, but his legacy continues in museums worldwide.

Alexander Nelke (1894–1974) was an Estonian-American artist and carpenter who balanced his creative talents in both painting and woodworking. After emigrating to the United States, he studied fine art and developed a reputation for delicate landscape and portrait paintings. To support his artistic pursuits, Nelke worked as a carpenter, crafting custom furniture and interiors. His artworks were exhibited in regional galleries and reflected a deep appreciation for natural light and color. Nelke's dual career bridged the worlds of art and craftsmanship, showcasing his versatile skill set. He continued to paint and build until his death in 1974.

DeFord Bailey (1899–1982) was a pioneering country and blues musician known for his masterful harmonica playing. He became the first African American star of the Grand Ole Opry in the 1920s and 1930s. Bailey popularized tunes like 'Pan American Blues' and 'John Henry', blending African American blues with Appalachian folk. His recordings were among the first to bring star power to radio-based country music. Bailey's performances broke racial barriers in the Nashville music scene and influenced generations of musicians. After his Opry contract ended in 1941, he continued to play locally before fading into obscurity. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing his legacy.

Born in Fresno, California, Spike Jones formed "Spike Jones and His City Slickers" in the 1930s, pioneering a brand of musical satire that featured exaggerated sound effects and humorous vocals.\nHis renditions of standards like "Cocktails for Two" and "Der Fuehrer's Face" became radio and record hits during the 1940s and 1950s.\nHe brought madcap performances to film, television, and live shows, influencing later novelty and comedy musicians.\nJones's combination of musicianship and irreverent humor made him a cultural icon of mid-century American entertainment.\nHe continued to tour and record until his death in 1965, leaving a legacy of innovation in musical comedy.

Born in Chicago in 1914, Rosalyn Tureck studied at the Juilliard School under notable teachers including Olga Samaroff.\nShe earned the nickname "High Priestess of Bach" for her meticulous and expressive performances.\nTureck gave recitals worldwide, made influential recordings, and lectured extensively on baroque performance practice.\nIn 1978, she founded the Tureck Bach Research Foundation to support scholarship and performance of Bach's music.\nShe was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1992 and continued to inspire musicians until her death in 2003.

Born in St. Louis, Terry rose to prominence in the 1940s playing with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. He became known for his virtuosic trumpet technique and pioneering flugelhorn work. Terry recorded over 30 albums both as a leader and sideman, influencing generations of jazz musicians. He taught at institutions such as Berklee College of Music, nurturing future jazz talents. In recognition of his contributions, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Terry’s warm, swinging style remains a benchmark in jazz trumpet performance.