January 15

Giovanni Segantini (1858-1899) was an influential Symbolist painter from Italy. He is renowned for his pastoral and mountain scenes rendered with radiant light effects. A leading figure in the Divisionist movement, he used tiny strokes of pure color. His Alpi series captures the majesty of the Alps and explores themes of life and death. Despite his early death, Segantini's innovative techniques left a lasting mark on European art.

Stanisław Wyspiański was born in 1869 in Kraków and emerged as a versatile artist of the Young Poland movement. He wrote influential poetry and plays characterized by lyrical language and modernist themes. As a painter and designer, he created stained glass windows and interior art for Kraków's Cathedral. His masterpiece 'The Wedding' remains a landmark drama in Polish literature. Wyspiański's integration of visual art and theater inspired generations of Central European artists. He died prematurely in 1907, leaving a rich, multi-disciplinary legacy that still resonates today.

Johanna Müller-Hermann was born in 1878 in Vienna into a musical family. She studied piano and composition at the Vienna Conservatory under prominent teachers. Her works include symphonic poems, chamber pieces, and songs blending late Romantic and early modern styles. Müller-Hermann premiered her orchestral compositions with the Vienna Philharmonic. She was one of the few women of her time to gain recognition in the male-dominated world of classical music. Her compositions remain rediscovered treasures offering insights into Vienna's vibrant musical scene.

Henry Burr was born in 1882 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. He achieved fame as a tenor recording artist, selling millions of records under various pseudonyms. Burr was a regular on early radio broadcasts, helping to shape the medium's musical programming. He founded the World's Star Vocalist Quartet and produced records for emerging singers. His smooth vocals and diverse repertoire, from ballads to popular songs, earned him international acclaim. Burr's recordings are celebrated as milestones in the evolution of recorded music.

Born in Cardiff in 1893, Ivor Novello became one of the most celebrated British composers of popular songs and musicals. His hits include ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ and the stage musical ‘The Dancing Years.’ Novello also appeared as an actor in both film and on the London stage, starring in works like ‘Alibi.’ He co-founded the Ivor Novello Awards to honor songwriting excellence in the UK. Novello’s blend of romantic melodies and theatrical flair has left a lasting mark on British musical heritage.

Born in Chicago in 1909, Krupa became fascinated with drumming as a teenager, studying under renowned percussionist Roy Knapp. He rose to fame in the 1930s as part of Benny Goodman's orchestra, delivering iconic performances that showcased his virtuosity. In 1938, he formed his own band, pioneering a showmanship-driven approach that brought the drums to the forefront. Krupa also appeared in films and recordings, expanding the reach of jazz to wider audiences. His influence extended to countless drummers, and he was instrumental in designing modern drum kits with cymbals located above the bass drum. After overcoming health challenges in the 1940s, he continued performing and teaching until his death in 1973. His dynamic style and charismatic presence helped cement jazz as a leading American art form.

Born in Amsterdam in 1913, Brands studied at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten before World War II interrupted his artistic pursuits. After the war, he co-founded the CoBrA group in 1948 alongside artists from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam, championing spontaneity and experimental techniques. His paintings featured expressive brushwork, vivid palettes, and elements of myth and folklore. Brands exhibited widely across Europe, influencing the development of post-war abstract art. He later explored printmaking and ceramics, expanding his creative repertoire. Throughout his career, he maintained a commitment to free expression and collaborative art-making. Brands continues to be celebrated in retrospectives and museum collections for his pioneering contributions to modern art.

Miriam Hyde was born in Adelaide in 1913 and showcased prodigious talent as a pianist from a young age.\nShe studied in London and returned to Australia to build a career as both a performer and a composer.\nOver her lifetime, she composed more than 150 works, including piano concertos, chamber music, and songs.\nHer lyrical style blended European Romantic traditions with Australian influences, earning her wide acclaim.\nAs a respected teacher and adjudicator, she inspired generations of Australian musicians.

Ivor Cutler began his career as a poet and musician in 1950s London, performing surreal monologues and songs in coffee bars. His debut album 'Ludo' was released in 1967 and showcased his minimalist piano style and absurdist lyrics. Cutler became a regular guest on BBC radio and television programs, including John Peel's show and 'Late Night Line-Up.' He published several books of poetry and short stories, often accompanied by his own illustrations. Cutler's work influenced a generation of alternative musicians and comedians with its gentle humor and offbeat charm. He continued to record and tour until the early 2000s, leaving a unique legacy in British counterculture.

Ruth Slenczynska is an American pianist who gave her orchestral debut with the San Francisco Symphony at age twelve. Over a career spanning more than eight decades, she performed worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician. She is renowned for her interpretations of Romantic repertoire, especially Chopin and Liszt. In addition to her performing career, Slenczynska composed original works for piano and authored memoirs detailing her life as a child prodigy. Her dedication to teaching and masterclasses has shaped numerous young pianists. Even in her later years, she continues to give concerts and inspire audiences.

Earl Hooker was one of the most influential electric blues guitarists of the 1960s. A cousin of John Lee Hooker, he developed a signature slide guitar style that combined speed and soulful expression. Hooker recorded extensively with labels like Arhoolie and Chess, releasing landmark albums such as 'Two Bugs and a Roach'. He toured widely with top blues artists, bringing his dynamic performances to international audiences. Fellow musicians praised his technical precision and improvisational flair. His contributions helped shape modern blues and inspired generations of guitarists.

Lee Bontecou (1931–2022) was an American sculptor and painter celebrated for her dark, abstract wall reliefs that blend industrial metals and suspended fabrics. Born in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, she studied at the Art Students League in New York. In the 1960s, her work featured haunting, gate-like forms that challenged traditional sculpture. She held solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Bontecou influenced generations of artists with her unique approach to materials and space. Later in her career, she taught at the School of Visual Arts and continued to exhibit until her passing. Her retrospective exhibitions in the 2010s reignited appreciation for her groundbreaking art.