March 31

Johann Sebastian Bach is celebrated as one of the greatest composers in Western music history. Born into a musical family in Eisenach, he held positions in Weimar, Cothen, and Leipzig. His prolific output includes the Brandenburg Concertos, the Mass in B minor, and The Well-Tempered Clavier. Bach's mastery of counterpoint and harmonic innovation influenced generations of composers, from Mozart to Brahms. Despite personal hardships and the loss of several children, he produced works that remain central to concert repertoires worldwide. His music continues to inspire with its emotional depth and technical brilliance.

Born in Rohrau, Austria, Haydn rose from choirboy to esteemed Kapellmeister for the Esterhazy family, where he worked for nearly thirty years. He composed 104 symphonies and 68 string quartets, shaping the forms and structures of the Classical era. His oratorios The Creation and The Seasons showcase his mastery of vocal and orchestral writing. Haydn's humor and inventive style influenced contemporaries like Mozart and students such as Beethoven. He later traveled to London, where his London Symphonies were premiered to great acclaim. His enduring legacy lies in his innovation and the joyfulness of his music.

Schulz combined theological studies with musical talent, serving as court music director in Hanover and later as Kapellmeister in Copenhagen. He published influential collections of Lieder and composed enduring melodies for songs such as 'Der Mond ist aufgegangen' and 'Alle meine Entchen.' His educational treatises helped standardize music instruction in German-speaking regions. As a conductor and composer, he contributed to both sacred and secular repertoires, leaving a lasting imprint on 18th-century music.

Otto Lindblad was a 19th-century Swedish composer and choral conductor. He is best known for composing "Kungssången", the anthem sung in honor of the Swedish monarch. Lindblad studied music at Uppsala University and led several student singing societies. His choral works contributed to the growth of national romanticism in Swedish music. Lindblad also composed chamber music and songs reflecting Scandinavian folk influences. His compositions remain part of Sweden's cultural heritage and are performed at official events.

John La Farge was an American artist and designer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He revolutionized stained glass art with opalescent techniques and vibrant coloration. La Farge created murals, paintings, and decorative designs for churches, public buildings, and homes. His work blended influences from medieval art, Japanese woodblocks, and the American Renaissance. La Farge was also a writer on art theory and contributed to the Arts and Crafts movement. He held influential exhibitions and lectured widely on decorative arts and design. His stained glass masterpieces remain in major collections and architectural landmarks.

Born in 1872 in Novgorod, Russia, Sergei Diaghilev began his career as an art critic and organizer of exhibitions. In 1909, he founded the Ballets Russes in Paris, assembling a groundbreaking company that collaborated with artists like Stravinsky, Picasso, and Nijinsky. Diaghilev's innovative productions brought Russian ballet to international prominence and influenced the evolution of modern dance. He commissioned new works, designs, and musical scores, leaving an indelible mark on 20th-century performing arts. Diaghilev continued to direct the Ballets Russes until his death in Venice in 1929, shaping the careers of numerous artists and choreographers.

Born in 1874 in Berlin to French parents, Henri Marteau studied violin at the Conservatoire de Paris and quickly gained recognition as a virtuoso soloist. He toured extensively across Europe and America, earning acclaim for his passionate interpretations and technical mastery. Marteau also composed chamber music and pedagogical works that remain part of the violin repertoire. In 1909, he became a professor at the Berlin University of the Arts, shaping a generation of violinists through his teaching. He continued performing and composing until his death in 1934, leaving a lasting impact on early 20th-century violin performance.

Pascin was a leading figure of the Montparnasse art scene, capturing the bohemian spirit of Paris with his delicate yet dynamic drawings. Born Julius Mordecai Pincas in Vidin, Bulgaria, he moved to the United States as a child before settling in France. His watercolors and ink sketches of dancers, cafés, and intimate portraits became highly sought after across Europe. He exhibited with modernist circles such as the Section d'Or and was admired for his spontaneity and subtle use of color. Despite his acclaim and his nickname “Prince of Montparnasse,” he struggled with personal demons throughout his life. He produced over 3,000 works during his career, influencing subsequent generations of illustrators. His life tragically ended in suicide in 1930, but his legacy endures in major museums and private collections worldwide.

Born in Graz in 1893, Clemens Krauss became one of Austria's foremost conductors, leading major opera houses in Dresden, Vienna, and Berlin. He was celebrated for his authoritative interpretations of Mozart operas and Richard Strauss works, collaborating directly with Strauss on premieres. Krauss served as the director of the Vienna State Opera and later the German Opera Federation, shaping post-war European opera. His recordings of Der Rosenkavalier and Die Meistersinger remain benchmarks for conductors. Despite controversies over his activities during the Nazi era, he was exonerated after World War II and continued to influence operatic performance. Krauss was also a talented opera manager, championing young singers and modern stage productions. He died in 1954, leaving a lasting impact on 20th-century opera.

Born Kenneth Norville in Beardstown, Illinois in 1908, Red Norvo became a pivotal figure in American jazz. He began his career in the 1920s playing xylophone before switching to vibraphone, earning the nickname 'Mr. Swing'. Norvo collaborated with Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, and other jazz legends, pushing the boundaries of cool jazz. He formed the Red Norvo Trio in the 1950s, featuring Tal Farlow and Charles Mingus. Known for his melodic style and technical mastery, Norvo influenced generations of vibraphonists. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Percussive Arts Society. He continued performing into his nineties, leaving a rich discography when he died in 1999.

Freddie Green was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1911 and became a defining voice in big band jazz guitar. He joined the Count Basie Orchestra in 1937 and remained a member for over five decades, providing his signature four-to-the-bar rhythm style. Green's subtle yet driving accompaniment became the backbone of the Basie sound. He rarely played solos, focusing instead on harmony and rhythm to support the ensemble. His work influenced countless guitarists and helped establish the role of guitar in jazz orchestras. Green also led small groups and recorded several albums showcasing his talents. He passed away in 1987, remembered as a master of jazz rhythm guitar.

Elisabeth Grümmer was born in Maczkowice, Germany (now Poland) in 1911 and studied voice at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik. She made her operatic debut in Berlin in 1938, quickly earning acclaim for her purity of tone and dramatic versatility. Grümmer excelled in roles such as Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème and the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She became a leading soprano at the Berlin State Opera and performed at major venues including the Vienna State Opera and La Scala. Known for her expressive phrasing and warm timbre, she recorded extensively with the likes of Herbert von Karajan. After retiring from the stage in the 1960s, she taught at the Musikhochschule Hannover. Grümmer passed away in 1986, leaving an enduring legacy in opera.