February 17

Born in 1669 near Dijon, Louis Marchand held prestigious positions as organist at several Parisian churches. He was celebrated for his extraordinary skill and improvisational flair on both organ and harpsichord. Marchand composed suites and noëls characteristic of the French Baroque style, though few manuscripts survive. A famous anecdote tells of his refusal to compete with Handel in London due to pride in his talents. His influence is noted in memoirs of contemporaries and in the evolution of French keyboard music. He died in 1732, remembered as a master of French Baroque organ repertoire.

Ferdinando Carulli was born in Naples in 1770 and moved to Paris to pursue his musical career. He authored the influential 'Méthode complète pour guitare', which became a standard instructional work. Carulli composed over four hundred pieces, including sonatas, duets, and chamber music featuring guitar. His approachable style and pedagogical focus widened the instrument's popularity across Europe. He founded a guitar school in Paris and taught many prominent students of the era. He died in 1841 in Pisa, remembered for his prolific output and foundational contributions to guitar technique.

Born in 1789 in Northumberland, England, Martin was largely self-taught and began his career engraving and illustrating books. He achieved fame for his monumental apocalyptic and biblical landscapes, often featuring tiny human figures dwarfed by vast environments. His works such as 'The Great Day of His Wrath' and 'Sadak in Search of the Waters of Oblivion' captivated Victorian audiences with their theatrical grandeur. A frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy, he also produced illustrations for literary works, including those of John Milton. Martin's imaginative compositions and mastery of light and shadow influenced the Romantic movement and left a lasting legacy in 19th-century art. He died in 1854, leaving behind a body of work celebrated for its visionary power.

Born in 1868 in Kurkijoki, Finland, Merikanto studied music at the University of Helsinki and later in Berlin. He composed over 100 songs, piano miniatures, and choral pieces that reflected Finnish folk melodies and Romantic sensibilities. As a concert pianist and organist, he toured extensively and earned acclaim for his expressive performances. Merikanto also served as a music critic and teacher, influencing a generation of Finnish musicians. His work laid groundwork for the country's rich musical tradition.

Born in 1859 in Karlsruhe, Hess studied under Joseph Joachim and quickly established himself as a violin prodigy. He became a professor at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik, influencing scores of students with his refined technique and musical insight. Hess championed works by Bach, Beethoven, and contemporary composers in his performances across Europe. He also published editions of violin repertoire that remain in use today. Hess's combination of performance excellence and pedagogical skill left an enduring mark on violin art.

Born Bruno Schlesinger in Berlin in 1876, he adopted the name Bruno Walter as he rose to prominence in the opera world. He worked closely with Gustav Mahler at the Vienna Court Opera and championed Mahler's symphonies worldwide. After emigrating to the United States in the 1930s, Walter led major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. He was acclaimed for his warm conducting style, deep musicality, and insightful interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. Walter made numerous recordings that became benchmarks for generations of listeners. He received widespread honors and awards in recognition of his artistry. His career spanned over seven decades until his death in 1962, marking him as one of the twentieth century’s most influential musical figures.

Born in 1880 in Weissenburg, Bavaria, Hans Hofmann studied art in Munich and Paris before emigrating to the United States in 1932. He established the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Arts in New York and Provincetown, where he taught many future leaders of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Hofmann's own work combined bold colors, dynamic brushstrokes, and a pioneering push-pull theory that influenced generations of artists. His paintings were exhibited internationally, earning him recognition as one of the foremost modernist painters of the twentieth century. Beyond his art, Hofmann was a scholar and writer committed to exploring the relationship between color and form. He continued painting and teaching until his death in 1966, leaving a legacy as both an educator and innovator in American art.

Born in 1900 in New Haven, Connecticut, Alfred Newman emerged as one of Hollywood’s most influential composers. He served as the head of the 20th Century Fox music department for over three decades, shaping the sound of classic films. Newman won nine Academy Awards out of 45 nominations, including for The Song of Bernadette (1943) and How the West Was Won (1962). His famous 20th Century Fox Fanfare remains an iconic musical signature heard before countless motion pictures. Beyond his studio work, Newman conducted major orchestras and mentored a generation of film composers, including his brothers Lionel and Emil Newman. He passed away in 1970, leaving behind a vast catalog of enduring film scores that continue to influence cinema music.

Born in 1917, Thelonious Monk emerged as a pioneering figure in the development of bebop. His angular melodies, dissonant harmonies, and complex rhythms challenged and inspired fellow musicians. Iconic compositions such as 'Round Midnight', 'Blue Monk', and 'Straight No Chaser' have become jazz standards. Monk's performances were marked by eccentric attire and a mesmerizing stage presence. Despite health struggles later in life, he left an indelible mark on jazz and continues to be celebrated as one of the genre's greatest innovators.

Ray Barretto was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Puerto Rican parents and began playing congas in his teenage years. He gained prominence as a jazz musician, performing with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. In the 1960s, he became a pivotal figure in the development of Latin jazz, blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz harmonies. He founded his own band and produced hits such as "El Watusi" that crossed over to mainstream audiences. Barretto was also a charter member of the legendary Fania All-Stars, shaping the sound of salsa in the 1970s. Over his five-decade career, he recorded more than 50 albums, earning multiple Grammy nominations. He passed away in 2006, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the most influential percussionists in Latin music history.

Kathryn Grayson was born Kathryn Elizabeth Greer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and began singing professionally as a teenager. She signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1940s and starred in a series of Technicolor musicals, including Anchors Aweigh, Kiss Me Kate, and the 1951 remake of Show Boat, showcasing her operatic soprano voice. Her collaboration with stars like Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly cemented her status as one of Hollywood's premier musical talents. Beyond film, Grayson performed in operas and stage productions, demonstrating her wide-ranging artistic abilities. She recorded numerous albums and remained active in theater well into her later years. Grayson died in 2010, remembered for her elegant presence and velvety vocal performances.