July 05

Pavel Chistyakov (1832–1919) was a Russian painter renowned for his meticulous approach to composition and brushwork. He served as a professor at the Imperial Academy of Arts, where he developed a systematic teaching method. His unique technique combined elements of realism and classical traditions, influencing the course of Russian art. Chistyakov mentored many prominent painters, including Ivan Kramskoi and Mikhail Vrubel. His legacy endures through his artworks and the artistic principles passed on to his students.

Julien Tiersot (1857–1936) was a pioneering French musicologist who studied non-Western and folk music. He authored seminal works on Japanese music, Chinese opera, and regional French folk songs. Tiersot founded the Société française de musicologie, promoting scholarly research in music history. As a composer, he integrated exotic melodies and rhythms into his orchestral and choral pieces. His cross-cultural approach laid the groundwork for ethnomusicology as an academic discipline.

Stephan Krehl was a German composer, teacher, and music theorist. He studied at the Leipzig Conservatory and later served on its faculty. His compositions include chamber works, piano pieces, and songs that reflect late Romantic styles. As an educator, he authored influential harmony textbooks still studied today. Krehl's theoretical writings helped shape compositional pedagogy in the early 20th century. His students went on to have significant musical careers across Europe.

Wanda Landowska was a pioneering Polish harpsichordist and teacher who revived interest in Baroque music. She studied in Warsaw and later settled in France, where she championed composers like Bach and Scarlatti. Landowska commissioned modern harpsichords from the Pleyel company and made influential recordings. She taught at the École Normale de Musique in Paris and inspired a generation of early music performers. Fleeing Europe during World War II, she continued her career in the United States, leaving a lasting impact on historical performance practice.

Jan Kubelík was a Czech violinist and composer who achieved international fame in the early 20th century. A protégé of Otakar Ševčík, he made his debut at age 21 and embarked on acclaimed concert tours across Europe and America. Kubelík composed violin works that showcased his technical brilliance and lyrical style. His performances were noted for their elegance, precision, and warmth. As a recording artist, he helped popularize classical violin repertoire for a wider audience.

André Lhote (1885–1962) was a seminal figure in early 20th-century Cubism. Born in Bordeaux, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts before moving to Paris, where he became closely associated with artists like Picasso. In 1912 he co-founded the instructor-led Puteaux Group, developing a distinct geometric style. Lhote authored several books on artistic theory and opened a private studio that attracted students worldwide. Over decades, he taught at institutions in Paris and abroad, influencing generations of painters and sculptors. His works are held in major museums and continue to be studied for their innovative approach to form. Lhote died in Paris in 1962.

Born in La Spezia, Caselli studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti, where he developed a keen eye for color and form. Inspired by Impressionism and Italian modernist movements, he created dynamic compositions of rural and urban life. His exhibitions across Italy earned him critical acclaim, and his works entered public and private collections. Active throughout the mid-20th century, he influenced a generation of Ligurian artists. Caselli's paintings continue to be admired for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth.

Born Overton Amos Lemons in New Orleans in 1913, Smiley Lewis developed a distinctive rhythm and blues style on guitar and vocals. He recorded numerous tracks for Imperial Records in the early 1950s, including hits like “I Hear You Knockin’” and “One Night.” Although his originals achieved modest success, cover versions by artists such as Fats Domino and Elvis Presley brought wider fame to his songs. Lewis’s soulful voice and vibrant guitar work influenced the emerging rock and roll genre. Despite his talent, he struggled with poor promotion and financial difficulties. He died in 1966, but his music experienced a revival among R&B enthusiasts in later decades.

Annie Fischer was born in Budapest in 1914 and studied piano at the Franz Liszt Academy under József Gát. She made her debut with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra at age 15 and quickly earned acclaim for her deep, introspective interpretations. Fischer became renowned for her performances of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bartók, and her recordings for Deutsche Grammophon remain classics. As a Jewish musician during World War II, she faced persecution but continued to perform after the war across Europe and the United States. Fischer taught masterclasses and influenced generations of pianists with her poetic phrasing and emotional depth. She remained active on the concert stage into her eighties and passed away in 1995.

Al Timothy was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1915 and became a versatile musician and songwriter. He moved to London after World War II, where he performed in jazz clubs and accompanied touring Caribbean artists. Timothy recorded original compositions that blended calypso rhythms with jazz sensibilities, gaining a dedicated following in Britain. He collaborated with prominent bandleaders and appeared on radio and television broadcasts in the 1950s. His work helped introduce Caribbean musical styles to a wider European audience. Timothy’s recordings and live performances influenced the postwar jazz and world music scenes until his death in 2000.

Lívia Rév was born in Budapest in 1916 and studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. She made her professional debut at age 17 and quickly attracted acclaim for her lyrical interpretations. Rév specialized in the works of Chopin and Bartók, performing extensively across Europe, North America, and Japan. She recorded for labels like EMI and Philips, leaving a rich discography of solo and concerto works. Committed to education, she gave masterclasses and inspired young pianists worldwide. Rév continued to perform and teach well into her nineties, passing away in 2018 at the age of 101.

Born in 1918, George Rochberg studied composition at the University of Rochester and later at the University of Pennsylvania. As a composer, his early works explored serial techniques, but following personal tragedy he embraced tonality, creating music that resonated with wider audiences. He held teaching positions at several institutions, most notably the University of Pennsylvania, and influenced generations of composers. Rochberg's Symphony No. 3 became a landmark composition, blending modernist rigor with lyrical expression. Throughout his career, he received multiple awards and honors before his death in 2005.