October 24, 1925:
Luciano Berio is born in Oneglia, Liguria, Kingdom of Italy, the son of Ernesto Berio, a composer, and Ada dal Fiume.
October 28, 1952:
The first public “concert” of tape-recorder music in the United States takes place at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. It is given by the Columbia University electronic music group and includes premieres of Sonic Contours for tape by Vladimir Ussachevsky (41) and three works for flute on tape by Otto Luening: Fantasy in Space, Invention in Twelve Tones, and Low Speed . The flutist in all three Luening pieces is the composer. The performance is broadcast by radio stations WNYC New York and WGBH Boston. A Tanglewood student named Luciano Berio (27) is present and is fascinated. Also premiered is Eight Studies and a Fantasy for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon by Elliott Carter (43).
February 23, 1955:
Variazioni for chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (29) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
October 15, 1955:
Luciano Berio’s (29) orchestral work Nones is performed for the first time, in Rome.
October 21, 1956:
Variazioni for two basset horns and strings by Luciano Berio (30) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.
April 29, 1957:
Allelujah I for orchestra by Luciano Berio (31) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
December 2, 1957:
Dark Rapture Crawl for orchestra by Bruno Maderna (37) is performed for the first time, in Rome. Also premiered is Divertimento for orchestra by Bruno Maderna and Luciano Berio (32).
May 17, 1958:
Allelujah II for five orchestral groups by Luciano Berio (32), a reworking of Allelujah I, is performed for the first time, in a broadcast originating in Rome.
March 14, 1959:
Différences for five instruments and tape by Luciano Berio (33) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.
May 12, 1959:
Quartetto for strings by Luciano Berio (33) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.
September 23, 1959:
Allez-Hop for mezzo-soprano, eight mimes, dancers, and orchestra by Luciano Berio (33) to words of Calvino, is performed for the first time, in Venice.
March 4, 1960:
Tempi concertati for flute, violin, two pianos, and chamber ensemble by Luciano Berio (34) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
August 1, 1960:
Circles for female voice, harp, and percussion by Luciano Berio (34) to words of cummings is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
August 7, 1960:
Robert Ashley (30), Gordon Mumma (25), Roger Reynolds (26), and George Cacioppo, having driven from Ann Arbor, Michigan, attend a week-long composers’ conference organized by the Canadian League of Composers in Stratford, Ontario. Among the luminaries present are Luciano Berio (34), Edgar Varèse (76), Roy Harris (62), Ernst Krenek (59), and George Rochberg (42). The four decide that they could organize a better conference and by the time they arrive home, they have planned the ONCE Festival.
February 24, 1961:
The first ONCE Festival opens in the First Unitarian Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan, directed by Robert Ashley (30) and Roger Reynolds (26). Luciano Berio (35) is the most illustrious composer present.
October 22, 1961:
Three works for orchestra are performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen: Atmosphères by Györgi Ligeti (38), Epifanie by Luciano Berio (35), and Contrasts by Gunther Schuller (35). The audience requires that Atmosphères by encored.
May 6, 1963:
Passaggio, messa in scena for soprano, two choruses, and instruments by Luciano Berio (37) to words of Sanguineti and the composer, is performed for the first time, in Milan.
May 12, 1965:
Session I for flute/piccolo, oboe/english horn, bassoon, trombone, viola, cello, and percussion by William Bolcom (26) is performed for the first time, in Berlin conducted by Luciano Berio (39).
March 21, 1966:
Sequenza V for trombone by Luciano Berio (40) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
October 10, 1968:
Sinfonia for singers and orchestra by Luciano Berio (42) to words of Lévi-Strauss, Beckett, and the composer, is performed for the first time, without the fifth movement, in New York, the composer conducting. See 18 October 1969.
March 29, 1969:
Pieces for violin and piano and El Mar la Mar for two sopranos and five instruments by Luciano Berio (43) are performed for the first time, in Royan.
April 22, 1969:
Eight Songs for a Mad King, a stage work for male voice, piccolo, flute, clarinet, keyboards, percussion, violin, and cello by Peter Maxwell Davies (34) to words of Stow, is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, the composer conducting. Also premiered are works by eleven composers in honor of Dr. Alfred Kalmus, the director of Universal Edition, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. They are presented as A Garland for Dr. K. by the Pierrot Players and include Some Petals from my Twickenham Herbarium for piccolo, clarinet, viola, cello, piano, and bells by Harrison Birtwistle (34), conducted by the composer, Für Dr. K. no.28 for flute, clarinet, piano, vibraphone, tubular bells, violin, and cello by Karlheinz Stockhausen (40), conducted by Pierre Boulez (44), Pour le Dr Kalmus for flute, clarinet, viola, cello, and piano by Pierre Boulez, the composer conducting, Modification and Instrumentation of a Famous Hornpipe as a Merry and Altogether Sincere Homage to Uncle Alfred for flute, clarinet, percussion, harpsichord, viola, and cello by Luciano Berio (43), and Echos II de votre Faust for mezzo-soprano, flute, violoncello, and piano by Henri Pousseur (39). Also premiered is Birtwistle’s Linoi II for clarinet, piano, tape, and dancer. See 11 October 1968.
October 18, 1969:
Sinfonia for singers and orchestra by Luciano Berio (43) to words of Lévi-Strauss, Beckett, and the composer, is performed completely for the first time, in Donaueschingen. See 10 October 1968.
February 17, 1970:
This Means That... for electronic sources by Luciano Berio (44) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
April 25, 1970:
Chemins IIb for orchestra by Luciano Berio (44) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
August 12, 1970:
Opera by Luciano Berio (45) to words of Ottolenghi and the composer after Eco, Colombo, Striggio, and Yankowitz, is performed for the first time, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
September 10, 1972:
E vò for soprano and chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (46) is performed for the first time, in Arco, directed by the composer.
March 15, 1973:
Concerto for two pianos and orchestra by Luciano Berio (47) is performed for the first time, in New York, conducted by Pierre Boulez (47).
February 8, 1974:
Linea for two pianos, vibraphone, and marimbaphone by Luciano Berio (48) is performed for the first time, in Grenoble.
March 25, 1974:
Calmo for mezzo-soprano and 22 players by Luciano Berio (48) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Milan conducted by the composer. See 16 October 1990.
June 18, 1974:
Eindrücke for orchestra by Luciano Berio (48) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.
June 30, 1974:
A-Ronne, a “radiophonic documentary” for eight actors by Luciano Berio (48) to words of Edoardo Sanguineti, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of KRO originating in Hilversum, Netherlands.
July 9, 1974:
Per la dolce memoria di quel giorno, a ballet by Luciano Berio (48) after Petrarca, to choreography by Béjart, is performed for the first time, in Florence.
October 20, 1974:
Inori no.38 for one or two soloists and orchestra by Karlheinz Stockhausen (46) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen. Also premiered is Points on the curve to find... for piano and 22 instruments by Luciano Berio (48).
April 7, 1975:
Chants Parallèles for tape by Luciano Berio (49) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
October 17, 1975:
Chemins IV for oboe and eleven strings by Luciano Berio (49) is performed for the first time, in London directed by the composer.
October 24, 1976:
29 of the 31 parts of Coro for 40 voices and 40 instruments by Luciano Berio to words of Neruda and folk texts are performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen on the composer’s 51st birthday. See 16 November 1977.
January 20, 1977:
Il ritorno degli snovidenia for cello and 30 instruments by Luciano Berio (51) is performed for the first time, in Basel.
October 16, 1977:
De profundis for chorus and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (43) is performed for the first time, in Graz. Also premiered is Coro for 40 voices and instruments by Luciano Berio (52) to words of Neruda and others.
November 16, 1977:
Coro for 40 voices and 40 instruments by Luciano Berio (52) to words of Neruda and folk texts is performed completely for the first time, in Graz. See 24 October 1976.
June 17, 1978:
Encore for orchestra by Luciano Berio (52) is performed for the first time, in Rotterdam.
April 26, 1980:
Sequenza IXa for clarinet by Luciano Berio (54) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre d’Orsay, Paris.
October 1, 1980:
Entrata for orchestra by Luciano Berio (54) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
January 17, 1982:
Corale for violin, two horns, and strings by Luciano Berio (56) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.
March 9, 1982:
La vera storia, an opera by Luciano Berio (56) to words of Calvino and the composer, is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan.
October 5, 1982:
Fanfara for orchestra by Luciano Berio (56) is performed for the first time, in Venice.
March 26, 1984:
Requies for chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (58) is performed for the first time, in Lausanne. See 13 August 1985.
August 7, 1984:
Un re in ascolto, an azione musicale by Luciano Berio (58) to words of the composer after Calvino, Auden, Einsiedel, and Gotter, is performed for the first time, in the Kleines Festspielhaus, Salzburg.
October 26, 1984:
Voci for viola and two instrumental ensembles by Luciano Berio (59) is performed for the first time, in Basel.
July 31, 1985:
Call for five brass instruments by Luciano Berio (49) is performed for the first time, in St. Louis.
August 13, 1985:
Requies for chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (59) is performed completely for the first time, in Lausanne. See 26 March 1984.
January 15, 1987:
Formazioni for orchestra by Luciano Berio (61) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
April 18, 1988:
Ricorrenze for woodwind quintet by Luciano Berio (62) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 20, 1988:
Sequenza XI for guitar by Luciano Berio (62) is performed for the first time, in Rovereto.
June 25, 1988:
Ofanim for two instrumental groups, two children’s choirs, female chorus, and electronic sound generators by Luciano Berio (62) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in Prato, Italy, conducted by the composer.
August 28, 1988:
A Bernstein Birthday Bouquet: Eight Variations on a Theme by Leonard Bernstein for orchestra, variations on New York, New York for the 70th birthday of Leonard Bernstein, is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood. The variations are by Luciano Berio (62), Leon Kirchner (69), Jacob Druckman (60), Lukas Foss (66), John Corigliano (50), John Williams, Toru Takemitsu (57), and William Schuman (78).
November 3, 1988:
Concerto II “Echoing Curves” for piano and two instrumental groups by Luciano Berio (63) is performed for the first time, in Paris, conducted by Pierre Boulez (63).
June 14, 1989:
Rendering for orchestra by Luciano Berio (63) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
September 14, 1989:
Festum for orchestra by Luciano Berio (63) is performed for the first time, in Dallas. Also premiered is Allegro brillante for orchestra by Hans Werner Henze (63).
October 30, 1989:
Continuo for orchestra by Luciano Berio (64) is performed for the first time, in London conducted by the composer.
November 11, 1989:
At the 92nd Street Y, New York, Peter Serkin plays a program of eleven premieres of works for piano he commissioned. Included are Interlude I for by Leon Kirchner (70), Feurklavier by Luciano Berio (64), Piano Piece by Hans Werner Henze (63), Les Yeux clos II by Toru Takemitsu (59), the first piece from ...in real time op.50 by Alexander Goehr (57), and My Song by Bright Sheng (33).
December 18, 1989:
Canticum Novissimi Testamenti for vocal soloists, chorus, four clarinets, and four saxophones by Luciano Berio (64) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
May 6, 1990:
Several works composed in memory of Michael Vyner are performed for the first time, at Covent Garden, London: In Memory of Michael Vyner for piano by Toru Takemitsu (59), Leaf for piano by Luciano Berio (64), the last movement of Good Night op.63 for soprano, alto flute, piano, and three tam-tams by Henryk Górecki (56) to words of Shakespeare, Ritual Fragment for 14 players by Harrison Birtwistle (55), and Introitus from Hans Werner Henze's (63) unperformed Requiem for piano and chamber orchestra. See 24 February 1993 and 4 November 1990.
October 16, 1990:
A revised version of Calmo for mezzo-soprano and 22 players by Luciano Berio (64) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Paris, conducted by Pierre Boulez (65). See 25 March 1974.
September 23, 1992:
Chemins V for guitar and chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (66) is performed for the first time, in Bonn conducted by the composer.
April 22, 1993:
Epiphanies for female voices and orchestra by Luciano Berio (67) to words of Proust, Joyce, Machado, Simon, Brecht, and Sanguinetti is performed for the first time, in Bonn.
January 31, 1994:
Notturno (Quartetto III) for string quartet by Luciano Berio (68) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.
April 29, 1994:
Twice Upon…, a theatre piece without words for six groups of children by Luciano Berio (68) is performed for the first time, in London.
September 14, 1994:
There Is No Tune for chorus by Luciano Berio (68) to words of Talia Pecker Berio, is performed for the first time, in St. Johns, Smith Square, London.
November 10, 1994:
A suite from the opera Ulisse by Luigi Dallapiccola (†19) is performed for the first time, in Turin, 33 years after it was composed, conducted by Luciano Berio (69).
March 12, 1995:
Compass for piano and orchestra by Luciano Berio (69) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.
June 15, 1995:
Re-call for 23 instruments by Luciano Berio (69) is performed for the first time, in Paris. Also premiered is Berio’s Sequenza XII for bassoon.
June 17, 1995:
Vor, während, nach Zaide, comment on an opera by WA Mozart (†203) to a libretto by JD Schachtner, for chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (69) to words of Arruga is performed for the first time, in Teatro della Pergola, Florence.
August 16, 1995:
Requiem der Versöhung for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart. Among the 13 composers contributing to the work are Luciano Berio (69), György Kurtág (69), Krzysztof Penderecki (61), Alfred Schnittke (60), John Harbison (56), and Wolfgang Rihm (43).
August 26, 1995:
Notturno for string orchestra by Luciano Berio (69) is performed for the first time, in Lucerne. See 31 January 1994.
September 15, 1995:
Shofar for chorus and instrumental ensemble by Luciano Berio (69) to words of Celan is performed for the first time, in London.
November 9, 1995:
Sequenza XIII for accordion by Luciano Berio (70) is performed for the first time, in Rotterdam.
April 27, 1996:
Several new works are performed for the first time in the Concert Hall of the Stadt-Casino, Basel: A 6 Letter Letter for english horn by Elliott Carter (87); Sur Incises for solo piano, two pianos, three harps, two vibraphones, and marimba by Pierre Boulez (71); An Eye, open for soprano, two clarinets, viola, cello, and double bass by Harrison Birtwistle (61) to words of Celan (tr. Hamburger); and Kol Od for trumpet and chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (70). All but the Carter are conducted by Pierre Boulez. See 28 April 1996 and 30 August 1998.
October 2, 1996:
Outis, an azione musicale by Luciano Berio (71) to words of Del Corno and the composer, is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan.
October 12, 1996:
Récit for alto saxophone and orchestra by Luciano Berio (70) is performed for the first time, in Milan.
January 24, 1997:
Ekphrasis for orchestra by Luciano Berio (71) is performed for the first time, in Las Palmas, Canary Islands directed by the composer.
May 16, 1997:
Alternatim for clarinet, viola, and orchestra by Luciano Berio (71) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
June 22, 1997:
Glosse for string quartet by Luciano Berio (71) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Municipale Valli, Reggio Emilia.
October 17, 1997:
Sequenza IXc for bass clarinet by Luciano Berio (71) is performed for the first time, in Turin.
May 11, 1998:
New works for eight cellos are performed for the first time, in Beauvais: Korót by Luciano Berio (72), Sonata à 8 by Betsy Jolas (71), and Neiges by Kaija Saariaho (45). See 22 May 2005.
July 24, 1999:
Cronaca del luogo, an azione musicale by Luciano Berio (73) to words of Pecker-Berio, is performed for the first time, in the Felsenreitschule, Salzburg.
August 22, 1999:
Altra Voce for mezzo-soprano, alto flute, and electronic sound generators by Luciano Berio (73) to words of Talia Pecker Berio is performed for the first time, in Salzburg.
December 7, 1999:
SOLO for trombone and orchestra by Luciano Berio (74) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.
September 21, 2000:
Luciano Berio (74) becomes President-Artistic Director of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia.
July 2, 2001:
Sonata for piano by Luciano Berio (75) is performed for the first time, in the Tonhalle, Zürich.
April 21, 2002:
The Parco della Musica, a concert hall complex, opens in Rome at a cost of €150,000,000. Heading the project is Luciano Berio (76) and architect Renzo Piano.
April 28, 2002:
Sequenza XIV for cello by Luciano Berio (76) is performed for the first time, in Witten.
October 5, 2002:
E si fussi pisci for chorus by Luciano Berio (76) to an Italian folk song is performed for the first time, in Siena.
May 27, 2003:
Luciano Berio dies in Rome, Republic of Italy, aged 77 years, seven months, and three days. His mortal remains will be laid to rest in Radicondoli Cemetery, Toscana.
January 22, 2004:
Stanze for baritone, three male choruses and orchestra by Luciano Berio (†0) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Mogador, Paris.
June 14, 2004:
Sequenza XIVb for double bass by Luciano Berio (†1) is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart.
February 26, 2013:
Canzonetta for piano-four hands by Luciano Berio (†9) is performed for the first time, in Rome, 22 years after it was composed.