September 25 is the birthday of Latvian-American painter MARK ROTHKO (1903-1970). Rothko recommended that viewers position themselves as little as eighteen inches away from the canvas so that they might experience a sense of intimacy, as well as awe, a transcendence of the individual, and a sense of the unknown.[citation needed] As Rothko achieved success, he became increasingly protective of his works, turning down several potentially important sales and exhibition opportunities. To see more of his art, CLICK HERE.

September 25 is the birthday of Canadian pianist GLENN GOULD (1932-1982). He was among the most famous and celebrated pianists of the 20th century, renowned as an interpreter of the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach. His playing was distinguished by remarkable technical proficiency and a capacity to articulate the contrapuntal texture of Bach's music. To hear Gould perform Bach’s Paritat No. 2, CLICK HERE.

September 25 is the birthday of Soviet composer DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975). To hear Leonard Bernstein conduct the final movement from Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, CLICK HERE.

September 25 is the birthday of French composer JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU (1683-1764). Regarded as one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the 18th century, he replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer of his time for the harpsichord, alongside François Couperin. To see and hear one of Rameau’s delightful dances, CLICK HERE.

September 25 is the birthday of French film director ROBERT BRESSON (1901-1999). He is among the most highly regarded filmmakers of all time. His works A Man Escaped (1956), Pickpocket (1959) and Au hasard Balthazar (1966) were ranked among the 100 greatest films ever made in the 2012 Sight & Sound critics' poll. To see an interview with Bresson, CLICK HERE.

September 25 is the birthday of French Post-Impressionist painter HENRI LEBASQUE (1865-1937). His vision was coloured by his contact with younger painters, especially Édouard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard, founders of Les Nabis, a group of Intimist painters that first favoured the calm and quietude of domestic subject matter. To samples of his art, CLICK HERE.