Anniversaries

5th August 2016 marks the centenary of the death of George Butterworth, one of the most promising English composers of his generation, whose life was cut short in the carnage of the First World War. Although many artists, writers and musicians lost their lives in the Great War, on both sides of the conflict, Butterworth is perhaps the one who has obtained most prominence and has, in some respects, come to represent this Lost Generation.

The Polish National Branch of IAML is celebrating today (March 24, 2016) the birth of the initiator and co-founder of the Section of Music Libraries - Polish National Branch of IAML!

Today, 8th December, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius in the town of Hämeenlinna around 30 miles north of the capital Helsinki he  adopted the name Jean that had been used by a seafaring uncle. His father, a medical doctor, died from typhoid before Sibelius reached two years of age, leaving the family insolvent and having to move into the home of his maternal grandmother.

Douglas Lilburn was an extremely influential figure in the history of New Zealand music. November 2015 marks the centenary of his birth. Lilburn’s reputation as the father of post-Second World War New Zealand musical composition is well-known. Leading by example, he forged a path that allowed others to aspire to a life of full-time composition.