January 22, 1923:
Leslie Raymond Bassett is born in Hanford, California, USA, the first of four children (two surviving infancy) born to Archibald Leslie Bassett and Vera Vesta Starr.
December 11, 1942:
Leslie Bassett (19) enlists in the United States Army at Camp Beale, Marysville, California.
February 22, 1949:
Quartet for trombones by Leslie Bassett (26) is performed for the first time, at the University of Michigan.
August 21, 1949:
Leslie Bassett (26) marries Anita Elizabeth Denniston in Los Angeles.
April 27, 1952:
Six Piano Pieces by Leslie Bassett (29) are performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
November 16, 1952:
The Lamb for chorus and piano by Leslie Bassett (29) to words of Blake is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
May 4, 1953:
Sonata for horn and piano by Leslie Bassett (30) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
November 15, 1953:
Three chamber works by Leslie Bassett (30) are performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Four Songs for voice and piano to texts of Blake, Herbert, and Robinson, Trio for viola, clarinet, and piano, and Brass Trio for trumpet, horn, and trombone.
April 23, 1954:
Sonata for trombone and piano by Leslie Bassett (31) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
April 26, 1956:
Clarinet Duets by Leslie Bassett (33) are performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
December 13, 1957:
Sonata for viola and piano by Leslie Bassett (34) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
February 9, 1958:
Out of the Depths for chorus and organ by Leslie Bassett (35) to words of the Psalms, is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
July 16, 1958:
Woodwind Quintet by Leslie Bassett (35) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
July 29, 1958:
Five Pieces for string quartet by Leslie Bassett (35) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
November 2, 1958:
Voluntaries for organ by Leslie Bassett (35) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
December 5, 1958:
Quintet for strings by Leslie Bassett (35) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
November 17, 1959:
Sonata for violin and piano by Leslie Bassett (36) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
February 21, 1960:
Cantata for City, Nation, World for chorus by Leslie Bassett (37) to various texts is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
May 6, 1960:
Moonrise for female chorus and instrumental ensemble by Leslie Bassett (37) to words of Lawrence is performed for the first time, in Detroit.
October 2, 1960:
Remembrance for chorus and organ by Leslie Bassett (37) to words of Rupert is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
April 17, 1962:
To Music, a cycle for voice and piano by Leslie Bassett (39) to words of Jonson, Herrick, and Billings, is performed for the first time, in Rome.
June 10, 1962:
Quintet for strings and piano by Leslie Bassett (39) is performed for the first time, in Rome.
July 5, 1962:
Five Movements for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (39) is performed for the first time, in Rome.
December 23, 1962:
Mobile for piano by Leslie Bassett (39) is performed for the first time, in Rome.
May 22, 1963:
String Quartet no.3 by Leslie Bassett (40) is performed for the first time, in Rome.
July 6, 1963:
Variations for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (40) is performed for the first time, in Rome. This work will win Bassett the Pulitzer Prize for 1966.
May 27, 1964:
Suite for unaccompanied trombone by Leslie Bassett (41) is performed for the first time, in Decatur, Illinois.
February 13, 1965:
Four Statements for organ by Leslie Bassett (42) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
April 28, 1965:
Designs, Images, and Textures for band by Leslie Bassett (42) is performed for the first time, in Ithaca, New York.
October 10, 1965:
Three Studies in Electronic Sound by Leslie Bassett (42) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
January 13, 1966:
Eclogue, Encomium, and Evocation for female chorus, piano, harp, and percussion by Leslie Bassett (42) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti.
April 24, 1966:
Prayers for Divine Service for male chorus and organ by Leslie Bassett (43) is performed for the first time, at Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts.
May 2, 1966:
Leslie Bassett (43) wins the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Variations for Orchestra . See 6 July 1963.
November 13, 1966:
Cello Duets by Leslie Bassett (43) are performed for the first time, at Interlochen, Michigan. Bassett’s Hear My Prayer, O Lord for treble voices and organ to words from the Psalms, is performed for the first time, in the First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
November 20, 1966:
Music for cello and piano by Leslie Bassett (43) is performed for the first time, at the California State University at Fresno.
December 3, 1966:
Triform for electronic sound generators by Leslie Bassett (43) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
January 22, 1967:
Notes in the Silence for chorus and piano by Leslie Bassett to words of Hammarskjöld is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the composer’s 44th birthday.
April 16, 1968:
Nonet for winds and piano by Leslie Bassett (45) is performed for the first time, in Ithaca, New York.
August 1, 1968:
Music for saxophone and piano by Leslie Bassett (45) is performed for the first time, in Tempe, Arizona.
March 23, 1969:
Collect for chorus and tape by Leslie Bassett (46) is performed for the first time, in East Orange, New Jersey.
May 23, 1969:
Colloquy for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (46) is performed for the first time, in Fresno, California.
December 10, 1969:
Moon Canticle for chorus, cello, narrator, and soprano by Leslie Bassett (46) to various texts is performed for the first time, in the Concord Hotel, New York.
November 2, 1970:
Elaborations for piano by Leslie Bassett (47) is performed for the first time, in Warrensburg, Missouri.
October 14, 1971:
Celebration in Praise of Earth for chorus and orchestra by Leslie Bassett (48) is performed for the first time, in Berea, Ohio.
December 8, 1972:
Sextet for two violins, two violas, cello, and piano by Leslie Bassett (49) is performed for the first time, in Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington.
May 1, 1973:
Forces for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (50) is performed for the first time, in Des Moines, Iowa.
June 20, 1973:
Time and Beyond for baritone, clarinet, cello, and piano by Leslie Bassett (50) is performed for the first time, at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti.
February 8, 1974:
Of Wind and Earth for chorus and piano by Leslie Bassett (51) to words of Shelley, Conan Bryant, and St. Francis, is performed for the first time, in Columbus, Ohio.
May 2, 1975:
Twelve Duos for two or four trombones by Leslie Bassett (52) are performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 8, 1976:
The Jade Garden, a cycle for voice and piano by Leslie Bassett (53), is performed for the first time, at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti.
February 18, 1976:
Soliloquies for clarinet by Leslie Bassett (53) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
February 27, 1976:
Echoes from an Invisible World for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (53) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
March 31, 1976:
Love Songs, a cycle for voice and piano by Leslie Bassett (53) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Dallas.
May 5, 1976:
Wind Music for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, and alto saxophone by Leslie Bassett (53) is performed for the first time, at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.
April 30, 1977:
Concerto for two pianos and orchestra by Leslie Bassett (54) is performed for the first time, in Midland, Michigan.
March 17, 1978:
Sounds, Shapes, and Symbols for band by Leslie Bassett (55) is performed for the first time, at the University of Michigan.
April 27, 1979:
A Ring of Emeralds for chorus and piano by Leslie Bassett (56) to various Irish texts is performed for the first time, in Cork.
March 26, 1980:
String Quartet no.4 by Leslie Bassett (57) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
October 20, 1980:
Liturgies for organ by Leslie Bassett (57) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
January 31, 1982:
Sing to the Lord for chorus and organ by Leslie Bassett (59) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time, in Brevard, North Carolina.
March 14, 1982:
Lord, Who Hast Formed Me for chorus and organ by Leslie Bassett (59) to words of Herbert is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
February 4, 1983:
Concerto Grosso for brass quintet and band by Leslie Bassett (60) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
March 26, 1983:
Temperaments for solo guitar by Leslie Bassett (60) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
April 6, 1984:
Concerto Lirico for trombone and orchestra by Leslie Bassett (61) is performed for the first time, in Toledo, Ohio.
February 16, 1985:
Preludes for piano by Leslie Bassett (62) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
March 1, 1985:
Colors and Contours for band by Leslie Bassett (62) is performed for the first time, in Boulder, Colorado.
May 21, 1985:
Duo Concertante for alto saxophone and piano by Leslie Bassett (62) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
May 31, 1985:
Salute for five trumpets by Leslie Bassett (62) is performed for the first time, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
October 4, 1985:
Lullaby for band by Leslie Bassett (62) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
November 1, 1986:
From a Source Evolving for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (63) is performed for the first time, in Midland, Michigan.
April 4, 1987:
Whoe’er She Be for treble voices and piano by Leslie Bassett (64) to words of Crashaw is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
July 6, 1987:
Configurations for piano by Leslie Bassett (64) is performed for the first time, in San Jose, California.
October 2, 1987:
Fantasy for clarinet and wind ensemble by Leslie Bassett (64) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
April 6, 1988:
New works are performed for the first time at Pennsylvania State University: Dialogues for oboe and piano by Leslie Bassett (65), and Echoes for oboe and bassoon by TJ Anderson (59).
November 7, 1988:
New works to words of Giraud (tr. Hartleben) are performed for the first time, in Los Angeles County Museum of Art: the first of the three Pierrot Songs for voice, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano by Leslie Bassett (65), Not Only Night for soprano, flute/piccolo, clarinet in E flat/bass clarinet, piano, violin, cello, and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (54), and Im Spiegel for voice, violin, and piano by John Harbison (49). See 25 January 1989.
January 25, 1989:
The second and third of the three Pierrot Songs for voice, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano by Leslie Bassett (66) to words of Giraud (tr. Hartleben), are performed for the first time, in Los Angeles. See 7 November 1988.
February 3, 1989:
Duo-Inventions for two cellos by Leslie Bassett (66) is performed for the first time, in Gainesville, Georgia.
March 27, 1989:
Brass Quintet by Leslie Bassett (66) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
February 11, 1990:
Illuminations for flute and piano by Leslie Bassett (67) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
May 25, 1990:
Almighty, Eternal for chorus and organ by Leslie Bassett (67) to words of the composer is performed for the first time, at the University of Alabama, Huntsville.
February 6, 1992:
Concerto for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (69) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Detroit.
July 14, 1993:
Arias for clarinet and piano by Leslie Bassett (70) is performed for the first time, in Ghent.
October 3, 1993:
Maker of our Being for chorus and organ by Leslie Bassett (70) to his own words is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
February 12, 1995:
Song and Dance for tuba and piano by Leslie Bassett (72) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
March 7, 1996:
Trio-Inventions for three cellos by Leslie Bassett (73) is performed for the first time, in Gainesville, Georgia.
February 27, 1997:
Thoughts That Sing, Breathe, and Burn for orchestra by Leslie Bassett (74) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Detroit.
February 15, 1998:
Equale for four trombones by Leslie Bassett (75) is performed for the first time, at Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina.
February 12, 1999:
Wood and Reed Transformed for bassoon and wind ensemble by Leslie Bassett (76) is performed for the first time, at the University of Michigan.
May 20, 2000:
Three works by Leslie Bassett (77) are performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Two Stephens Songs for voice and piano, Three Graces for three flutes, and Song of the Aulos for oboe.
July 5, 2000:
Concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra by Leslie Bassett (77) is performed for the first time, in Pierre Mercure Hall, Montreal.
November 22, 2002:
Music for Organ by Leslie Bassett (79) is performed for the first time.
February 4, 2016:
Leslie Raymond Bassett dies at his home in Oakwood, Georgia, USA aged 93 years and 13 days.
February 13, 2016:
A funeral in memory of Leslie Bassett takes place in McEver Road United Methodist Church in Oakwood, Georgia. His earthly remains are laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery, Gainesville, Georgia.