March 5, 1850:
The Britannia Bridge (461 m) opens, providing a rail link between the Isle of Anglesey and the Welsh mainland.
February 26, 1879:
Frank Bridge is born at 7 North Bridge Road in Brighton, Sussex, United Kingdom, the tenth of twelve children born to William Henry Bridge, violinist and conductor, and the first of three born to Elizabeth Warbrick.
November 14, 1900:
Piano trio in d minor by Frank Bridge (21) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London. The composer plays the violin part, making his debut as a chamber musician. See 4 April 1902.
March 14, 1901:
String quartet in B flat by Frank Bridge (22) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London. It won the Sullivan Prize.
December 4, 1901:
String Quintet in e minor by Frank Bridge (22) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
April 4, 1902:
Piano trio in d minor by Frank Bridge (23) is performed publicly for the first time, in Steinway Hall, London. See 14 November 1900.
June 20, 1902:
Two works named Berceuse by Frank Bridge (23) are performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music: one for violin and strings conducted by Charles Villiers Stanford (49) and one for voice and orchestra to words of D. Wordsworth, the composer conducting. This is Bridge’s first public appearance as a conductor.
December 9, 1902:
The Hag for baritone and orchestra by Frank Bridge (23) to words of Herrick is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London, the composer conducting.
January 23, 1903:
Piano Quartet in c minor by Frank Bridge (23) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London, the composer playing the viola part.
May 20, 1904:
Symphonic Poem for orchestra by Frank Bridge (25) is performed for the first time, in St. James’ Hall, London, directed by the composer.
November 24, 1904:
Novelletten for string quartet by Frank Bridge (25) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music.
December 6, 1904:
Three songs for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (25) are performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London: A Dead Violet and A Dirge, both to words of Shelley, and Night Lies on the Silent Highways to words of Heine (tr. Kroeker). Also premiered is Concert Piece for viola and piano by Arnold Bax (21), the composer at the keyboard.
May 20, 1905:
Capriccio no.1 for piano by Frank Bridge (26) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London. It was the winner in a competition sponsored by the pianist Mark Hambourg who plays the premiere.
June 15, 1905:
A Sea Idyll for piano by Frank Bridge (26) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.
June 22, 1906:
Phantasie in f minor for string quartet by Frank Bridge (27) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.
March 8, 1907:
Three Idylls for string quintet by Frank Bridge (28) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London. A theme in the second idyll will be used by Benjamin Britten in his Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge .
May 28, 1907:
A Piano Quintet by Frank Bridge (28) is performed for the first time, at a private home in London, the composer playing the viola part. See 14 June 1907.
June 14, 1907:
A Piano Quintet by Frank Bridge (28) is performed publicly for the first time, in London. See 28 May 1907.
June 27, 1907:
Scherzo phantastick for string quartet by Frank Bridge (28) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music.
October 3, 1907:
Isabella for orchestra by Frank Bridge (28) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
March 6, 1908:
Two works for cello and piano by Frank Bridge (29) are performed for the first time, in Kensington Town Hall: Elégie and Scherzo.
April 6, 1908:
Two works for violin and piano by Frank Bridge (29) are performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall: Gondoliera and Morceau characteristique.
July 21, 1908:
Dance rhapsody for orchestra by Frank Bridge (29) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, directed by the composer.
September 2, 1908:
Frank Bridge (29) marries Ethel Elmore Sinclair, a violinist, at St. Mary’s Church, Fulham, London. She is an Australian who attended the Royal College of Music at the same time as Bridge.
December 9, 1908:
Three works for voice, piano, and viola obbligato by Frank Bridge (29) are performed for the first time, in Broadwood Concert Rooms, London, the composer at the keyboard: Far, far from each other, to words of Arnold, Music when soft voices die, to words by Shelley, and Where is it that our soul doth go? to words of Heine (tr. Kroeker).
March 11, 1909:
Capriccio no.2 for piano by Frank Bridge (30) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.
April 27, 1909:
Phantasy in c minor for piano trio by Frank Bridge (30) is performed for the first time, in London.
June 16, 1909:
String Quartet no.1 by Frank Bridge (30) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.
July 14, 1909:
Two works for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (30) to words of Bridges are performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting: I praise the tender flower and Thou didst delight my eyes.
September 24, 1909:
The first festival of The Musical League takes place in Liverpool today and tomorrow. It features music by English composers including Ethel Smyth (51), Frederick Delius (47), Ralph Vaughan Williams (36), Frank Bridge (30), Percy Grainger (27), and Arnold Bax (25).
September 25, 1909:
Fatherland, for tenor, chorus, and orchestra by Arnold Bax (25) to words of Runeberg, is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. Also premiered is Dance Rhapsody by Frank Bridge (30).
November 24, 1909:
Three works by Frank Bridge (30) are performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London: Allegro appassionato for viola and piano, the third of the Three Dances for violin and piano, and Pensiero for viola and piano.
November 4, 1910:
Three Sketches for piano by Frank Bridge (31) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.
November 15, 1910:
Incidental music to Cammaerts’ (tr. Brand) play The Two Hunchbacks by Frank Bridge (31) is performed for the first time, in the Savoy Theatre, London, directed by the composer.
January 21, 1911:
Phantasy in f sharp minor for piano quartet by Frank Bridge (31) is performed for the first time, in Steinway Hall, London.
March 18, 1912:
Two Pieces for two violas by Frank Bridge (33) are performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London, the composer playing one of the parts.
May 29, 1912:
Piano Quintet (1912) by Frank Bridge (33) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
September 24, 1912:
The Sea for orchestra by Frank Bridge (33) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
June 18, 1913:
String Sextet by Frank Bridge (34) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.
November 7, 1913:
Three sets of Miniatures for violin, cello, and piano by Frank Bridge (34) are performed for the first time, in Exeter.
March 16, 1914:
Dance poem for orchestra by Frank Bridge (35) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting.
October 9, 1914:
The second of the Three Pieces for Organ by Frank Bridge (35) is performed for the first time, in Twrgwyn Chapel.
September 15, 1915:
Lament for orchestra by Frank Bridge (36) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London the composer conducting.
November 4, 1915:
String Quartet no.2 by Frank Bridge (36) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.
March 13, 1916:
Summer for orchestra by Frank Bridge (37) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting.
June 17, 1916:
Two Old English Songs for string quartet by Frank Bridge (37) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.
September 26, 1916:
Two Old English Songs for strings by Frank Bridge (37) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, the composer conducting.
January 1, 1917:
Two Poems for orchestra by Frank Bridge (37) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting.
March 8, 1917:
Two songs for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (38) are performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London: Blow, blow thou winter wind to words of Shakespeare and Love went a-riding to words of ME Coleridge.
July 13, 1917:
Sonata for cello and piano by Frank Bridge (38) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
February 21, 1918:
Easter Hymn for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (38) to words of Wagemann, is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
October 16, 1918:
A funeral in memory of Charles Hubert Hastings Parry takes place in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The building is full, including Edward Elgar (61), Charles Villiers Stanford (66) and representatives of the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Trinity College, Dublin, the Royal Academy of Music, and various musical and academic societies. Lento (in memoriam CHHP) for organ by Frank Bridge (39) is performed for the first time.
October 26, 1918:
Blow out you bugles for tenor and orchestra by Frank Bridge (39) to words of Brooke, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting.
October 30, 1918:
Five songs for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (39) are performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London: Adoration to words of Keats, Come to me in my dreams to words of Arnold, Mantle of blue to words of Colum, So early in the morning, to words of Stephens, and Where she lies asleep to words of ME Coleridge.
November 21, 1918:
Mélodie for violin or cello and piano by Frank Bridge (39) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
February 27, 1919:
String Quartet no.7 by Charles Villiers Stanford (66) is performed for the first time, at a student chamber music concert at the Royal College of Music, London. Also premiered is Isobel for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (40) to words of Goddard-Fenwick.
June 6, 1919:
Winter Waters for piano by Arnold Bax (35) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London. Also premiered is Variations on Cadet Rousselle for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (40), John Ireland (39), Arnold Bax, and Eugene Goossens to traditional French words.
January 22, 1920:
Morning Song for cello and piano by Frank Bridge (40) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music.
February 19, 1920:
Four Characteristic Pieces for piano by Frank Bridge (40) are performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
August 23, 1921:
Incidental music to Stayton’s play Threads by Frank Bridge (42) is performed for the first time, in St. James’ Theatre, London.
May 28, 1922:
Frank Bridge (43) meets Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge at the home of Winthrop Rogers, his publisher.
October 21, 1922:
Sir Roger de Coverley for orchestra by Frank Bridge (43) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
March 6, 1923:
The third movement of The Hour Glass for piano by Frank Bridge (44) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
July 9, 1923:
The third of the Three Poems for piano by Frank Bridge (44) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
August 22, 1923:
Frank Bridge (44) sails from England for the United States aboard SS Majestic.
November 5, 1923:
Frank Bridge (44) sees Niagara Falls and visits the Eastman School of Music in Rochester to look into a job opening. When he finds it is for a string teacher, he does not pursue it.
December 7, 1923:
Frank Bridge (44) returns to England from the United States. He will accept the offer of financial support which Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge made in September. He is the only composer to receive an annual stipend from the Coolidge Foundation.
February 13, 1924:
O that it were so for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (44) to words of Landor is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
May 5, 1924:
Pan’s Holiday for female chorus, piano, and strings by Frank Bridge (45) to words of Shirley is performed for the first time, in Petersfield.
October 30, 1924:
Benjamin Britten (10) attends his first orchestral concert, at the Norwich Festival. He will recall that he is “knocked sideways” by The Sea by Frank Bridge (45).
November 25, 1924:
Go not, happy day for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (45) to words of Tennyson, is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
October 15, 1925:
A Piano Sonata by Frank Bridge (46) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
August 20, 1927:
There is a willow grows aslant a brook for orchestra by Frank Bridge (48) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, the composer conducting.
September 17, 1927:
String Quartet no.3 by Frank Bridge (48) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.
October 27, 1927:
Enter Spring for orchestra by Frank Bridge (48) is performed for the first time, at the Norwich Triennial Festival, the composer conducting. At the festival, Bridge is introduced to Benjamin Britten (12).
October 28, 1927:
Frank Bridge (48) looks at some compositions by Benjamin Britten (12), whom he met yesterday, in Norwich. He agrees to take on Britten as a pupil starting next year.
January 12, 1928:
Benjamin Britten (14) begins composition lessons with Frank Bridge (48) at Bridge’s home in London. Britten tells his diary, “Had an absolutely wonderful lesson.” (Powell, 25)
March 2, 1929:
The San Francisco Bay Toll Bridge (San Mateo-Hayward Bay Bridge) opens. It is the longest bridge in the world.
November 4, 1929:
Piano Trio (1929) by Frank Bridge (50) is performed for the first time, in Langham Hotel.
October 20, 1931:
So perverse for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (52) to words of Bridges is performed for the first time, in Grotrian Hall, London.
December 8, 1931:
The Christmas Rose, an opera by Frank Bridge (52) to his own words after Kemp-Welch and Cotterell, is performed for the first time, in Parry Opera Theatre, Royal College of Music, London directed by the composer.
October 17, 1932:
Todessehnsucht for piano by Frank Bridge (53) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
March 26, 1933:
An Alla Marcia for string quartet by Benjamin Britten (19) is performed for the first time, privately, at the home of the composer’s teacher, Frank Bridge (54), in Friston, Sussex. Bridge plays the viola part. The work will be withdrawn and used in Les Illuminations.
January 10, 1934:
Phantasm for piano and orchestra by Frank Bridge (54) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London conducted by the composer.
January 18, 1934:
Sonata for violin and piano (1932) by Frank Bridge (54) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.
October 5, 1935:
Two works for voice and orchestra by Frank Bridge (56) are performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London the composer conducting: Love went a-riding to words of ME Coleridge, and E’en as a lovely flower to words of Heine (tr. Kroeker).
January 16, 1936:
Oration, concerto elegiaco for cello and orchestra by Frank Bridge (56) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC the composer conducting.
June 23, 1936:
The second movement of The Hour Glass for piano by Frank Bridge (57) is performed for the first time.
February 17, 1937:
Miniature pastorals, set 1&2 for piano by Frank Bridge (57) are performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
August 25, 1937:
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (58) op.10 for strings by Benjamin Britten (23) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Hilversum in the Netherlands. See 27 August 1937.
August 27, 1937:
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (58) for strings by Benjamin Britten (23) is performed live for the first time, in Salzburg. It causes a positive sensation. See 25 August 1937.
September 23, 1938:
String Quartet no.4 by Frank Bridge (59) is performed for the first time, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
October 30, 1938:
Frank Bridge (59) is awarded the Coolidge Medal by the Library of Congress, Washington.
April 29, 1939:
Benjamin Britten (25) and Peter Pears sail aboard the SS Ausonia for Canada. They will spend three years in North America. They are seen off by Britten’s teacher Frank Bridge (60) and his wife. It is the last time Britten and Bridge will see each other.
April 14, 1940:
Quintet for two violins, two violas, and cello by Roy Harris (42) is performed for the first time, in Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, Washington. Also premiered is Divertimenti for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon by Frank Bridge (61).
January 10, 1941:
Afternoon. Frank Bridge dies of a heart attack at Friston Field, his home on the main coast road between Eastbourne and Brighton, Sussex, United Kingdom, aged 61 years, ten months, and 15 days. The ashes of his mortal remains will be buried in the churchyard of St. Mary the Virgin in Friston.
February 23, 1941:
Rebus for orchestra by Frank Bridge (†0) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.
May 12, 1941:
Vignettes de danse for orchestra by Frank Bridge (†0) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in Glasgow.
June 24, 1965:
Songs and Proverbs of William Blake op.74, a cycle for voice and piano by Benjamin Britten (51) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church, by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and the composer. Also premiered is Rhapsody for two violins and viola by Frank Bridge (†24), 37 years after it was composed.
April 11, 1970:
Day after day, a song for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (†29) to words of Tagore, is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.
December 21, 1975:
Gargoyle for piano by Frank Bridge (†34) is performed for the first time, at Glasgow University, 47 years after it was composed.
March 12, 1978:
Vignettes de Marseille for piano by Frank Bridge (†37) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC Radio Scotland, 53 years after it was composed.
April 28, 1979:
Scherzetto for cello and piano by Frank Bridge (†38) is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings, 77 years after it was composed, during the centennial of the composer’s birth.
June 2, 1979:
Dramatic Fantasia for piano by Frank Bridge (†38) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London 73 years after it was composed, during the centennial of the composer’s birth.
June 20, 1979:
Unfinished Symphony for strings by Frank Bridge (†38) is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings during the centennial of the composer’s birth. The work was left unfinished at his death and only a first movement exists.
October 20, 1979:
Three works for chorus by Frank Bridge (†38) are performed for the first time, at the London College of Music: The Bee to words of Tennyson, composed 1913, Hilli-ho! Hilli-ho! to words of Thomas Moore, composed in 1909, and O weary hearts to words of Longfellow composed in 1909. This is the centennial year of the composer’s birth.
November 13, 1981:
Tears, idle tears for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (†40) to words of Tennyson is performed for the first time, at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, 76 years after it was composed.