Birthdays:
1785 - Alessandro Francesco Tommaso Antonio Manzoni, Italian poet, novelist and philosopher. He is famous for the novel The Betrothed (orig. Italian: I promessi sposi) (1827), generally ranked among the masterpieces of world literature. The novel is also a symbol of the Italian Risorgimento, both for its patriotic message and because it was a fundamental milestone in the development of the modern, unified Italian language. Manzoni contributed to the stabilization of the modern Italian language and helped to ensure linguistic unity throughout Italy. He was an influential proponent of Liberal Catholicism in Italy. Considered Manzoni's noblest monument was Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem, written to honour his memory.
1792 - Sir John Herschel (born John Frederick William Herschel, 1st Baronet), KH FRS, English polymath, mathematician, astronomer, chemist, inventor, experimental photographer who invented the blueprint; he also did botanical work. Herschel originated the use of the Julian day system in astronomy. He named seven moons of Saturn and four moons of Uranus—the seventh planet, discovered by his father William Herschel. He made many contributions to the science of photography, and investigated colour blindness and the chemical power of ultraviolet rays. His Preliminary Discourse (1831), which advocated an inductive approach to scientific experiment and theory-building, was an important contribution to the philosophy of science. His greatest influences were William Herschel (father) and Caroline Herschel (aunt).
1872 - Piet Mondrian (born Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan, after 1906, Piet Mondrian), Dutch painter and theoretician regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and whose art always remained rooted in nature. He is known for being one of the pioneers of 20th-century abstract art, as he changed his artistic direction from figurative painting to an increasingly abstract style, until he reached a point where his artistic vocabulary was reduced to simple geometric elements. Mondrian's art was highly utopian and was concerned with a search for universal values and aesthetics. He proclaimed in 1914: "Art is higher than reality and has no direct relation to reality. To approach the spiritual in art, one will make as little use as possible of reality, because reality is opposed to the spiritual. We find ourselves in the presence of an abstract art. Art should be above reality, otherwise it would have no value for man." (Deconstructing Mondrian: The Story Behind the Iconic Design. Uploaded by Wall Street Journal. Accessed March 7 2018. Piet Mondrian: A Life in 10 Snippets. Art in School. Accessed March 7, 2020.)
1875 - Maurice Ravel (born Joseph Maurice Ravel), French composer, pianist and conductor. He is often associated with impressionism along with his elder contemporary Claude Debussy, although both composers rejected the term. Ravel developed a style of great clarity and incorporating elements of modernism, baroque, neoclassicism and, in his later works, jazz. He liked to experiment with musical form, as in his best-known work, Boléro (1928), in which repetition takes the place of development. Among his works to enter the repertoire are pieces for piano, chamber music, two piano concertos, ballet music, two operas and eight song cycles; he wrote no symphonies or church music. Many of his works exist in two versions: first, a piano score and later an orchestration. Some of his piano music, such as Gaspard de la nuit, is exceptionally difficult to play, and his complex orchestral works such as Daphnis et Chloé require skilful balance in performance. Ravel was among the first composers to recognise the potential of recording to bring their music to a wider public. (Here's an amazing flash mob of Ravel's Bolero. Societat Musical D'algemesi in Spain. Accessed March 7, 2015.)
1960 - Ivan Lendl, Czech-American professional tennis player. He was world No. 1 for 270 weeks and won 94 singles titles. At the majors he won eight titles and was runner-up a record 11 times. He also won seven year-end championships. Lendl pioneered a new style of tennis; his game was built around his forehand, hit hard with heavy topspin, and his success is cited as a primary influence in popularizing the currently common playing style of aggressive baseline power tennis. After retirement, he became a tennis coach for multiple players. He has helped Andy Murray win three major titles and reach the No. 1 ranking.
1872 - Piet Mondrian (born Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan, after 1906, Piet Mondrian), Dutch painter and theoretician regarded as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and whose art always remained rooted in nature. He is known for being one of the pioneers of 20th-century abstract art, as he changed his artistic direction from figurative painting to an increasingly abstract style, until he reached a point where his artistic vocabulary was reduced to simple geometric elements. Mondrian's art was highly utopian and was concerned with a search for universal values and aesthetics. He proclaimed in 1914: "Art is higher than reality and has no direct relation to reality. To approach the spiritual in art, one will make as little use as possible of reality, because reality is opposed to the spiritual. We find ourselves in the presence of an abstract art. Art should be above reality, otherwise it would have no value for man." (Deconstructing Mondrian: The Story Behind the Iconic Design. Uploaded by Wall Street Journal. Accessed March 7 2018. Piet Mondrian: A Life in 10 Snippets. Art in School. Accessed March 7, 2020.)
1875 - Maurice Ravel (born Joseph Maurice Ravel), French composer, pianist and conductor. He is often associated with impressionism along with his elder contemporary Claude Debussy, although both composers rejected the term. Ravel developed a style of great clarity and incorporating elements of modernism, baroque, neoclassicism and, in his later works, jazz. He liked to experiment with musical form, as in his best-known work, Boléro (1928), in which repetition takes the place of development. Among his works to enter the repertoire are pieces for piano, chamber music, two piano concertos, ballet music, two operas and eight song cycles; he wrote no symphonies or church music. Many of his works exist in two versions: first, a piano score and later an orchestration. Some of his piano music, such as Gaspard de la nuit, is exceptionally difficult to play, and his complex orchestral works such as Daphnis et Chloé require skilful balance in performance. Ravel was among the first composers to recognise the potential of recording to bring their music to a wider public. (Here's an amazing flash mob of Ravel's Bolero. Societat Musical D'algemesi in Spain. Accessed March 7, 2015.)
1960 - Ivan Lendl, Czech-American professional tennis player. He was world No. 1 for 270 weeks and won 94 singles titles. At the majors he won eight titles and was runner-up a record 11 times. He also won seven year-end championships. Lendl pioneered a new style of tennis; his game was built around his forehand, hit hard with heavy topspin, and his success is cited as a primary influence in popularizing the currently common playing style of aggressive baseline power tennis. After retirement, he became a tennis coach for multiple players. He has helped Andy Murray win three major titles and reach the No. 1 ranking.
Leftie:
Composer Maurice Ravel
Deaths:
322 B.C.E. - Aristotle, Philosopher
1999 - Stanley Kubrick, Film director
More birthdays and historical events, March 7 - On This Day
Composer Maurice Ravel
Deaths:
322 B.C.E. - Aristotle, Philosopher
1999 - Stanley Kubrick, Film director
More birthdays and historical events, March 7 - On This Day
Features:
To the tune of Ravel's Bolero, I'm featuring the famous and most spectacular ice skaters Torvill & Dean perform their routine during the 1984 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (inc Medals & Anthem). World Figure Skating Championships in Ottawa, Canada, March 1984. YouTube, uploaded by Spader Holic. Accessed March 7, 2018.)
1530 - The 12-day siege of Alamo ends, leaving only six of 155 men alive.
1897 - Johannes Brahms attends his last concert and hears his symphony No. 4 being conducted by Hans Richter.
To the tune of Ravel's Bolero, I'm featuring the famous and most spectacular ice skaters Torvill & Dean perform their routine during the 1984 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (inc Medals & Anthem). World Figure Skating Championships in Ottawa, Canada, March 1984. YouTube, uploaded by Spader Holic. Accessed March 7, 2018.)
Historical Events
1530 - The 12-day siege of Alamo ends, leaving only six of 155 men alive.
1897 - Johannes Brahms attends his last concert and hears his symphony No. 4 being conducted by Hans Richter.
1977 - Pakistan's Prime Minister Ali Bhutto wins national elections and is accused of election rigging. The violent demonstrations between political rival groups end in July when the Army takes over and imprisons Mr Bhutto. He is executed in 1979.
1985 - The first blood test for HIV/AIDS is released to blood banks.
2005 - In Praetoria, the capital of South Africa, the city council votes to change the name of the city to Tshwane, meaning "We are the same."
Resources:
1. Asiado, Tel. The World's Movers and Shapers. New Hampshire: Ore Mountain Publishing House (2005)
2. Britannica. www.britannica.com
3. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, 19th Ed. London: Chambers Harrap, 2011
4. Dateline. Sydney: Millennium House, (2006)
5. Grun, Bernard. The Timetables of History, New 3rd Revised Ed. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone (1991)
6. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
(c) June 2007. Updated March 7, 2023. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
3. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, 19th Ed. London: Chambers Harrap, 2011
4. Dateline. Sydney: Millennium House, (2006)
5. Grun, Bernard. The Timetables of History, New 3rd Revised Ed. Simon & Schuster/Touchstone (1991)
6. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
(c) June 2007. Updated March 7, 2023. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment