April 1, 1866:
Ferruccio Dante Michelangelo Benvenuto Busoni is born at 16 or 17 Piazza della Vittoria in Empoli, near Florence, Kingdom of Italy, the only child of Ferdinando Busoni, a clarinetist and Anna Weiss, a pianist, the daughter of a grain merchant. Though the parents live in Rome, in the Papal States, Ferdinando brings his wife to his sister’s house for the birth so that it might take place in his family’s ancestral home town.
February 8, 1876:
Four months after his arrival in the city, Ferruccio Busoni (9) gives his first concert in Vienna, very successfully. See 13 February 1876.
February 13, 1876:
Eduard Hanslick writes in the Neue Freie Presse, Vienna, “It is a long time since an infant prodigy appealed to us as much as little Ferruccio Busoni (9).”
January 31, 1879:
Prelude and Fugue for two pianos by Ferruccio Busoni (12) is performed for the first time, in Mercantil-Saal, Bolzano. The composer plays one of the parts.
February 7, 1879:
Solo dramatique for clarinet and piano by Ferruccio Busoni (12) is performed for the first time, in Mercantil-Saal, Bolzano, by the composer and his father.
November 23, 1879:
Stabat mater for six solo voices and string quartet by Ferruccio Busoni (13) is performed for the first time, in Graz, conducted by the composer.
December 7, 1881:
Andante with Variations and Scherzo for violin, cello, and piano by Ferruccio Busoni (15) is performed for the first time, in Milan.
March 15, 1882:
Nocturne for clarinet and piano by Ferruccio Busoni (15) is performed for the first time, in Bologna.
March 22, 1883:
Il sabato del villaggio, a cantata by Ferruccio Busoni (16) to words of Leopardi, is performed for the first time, in Teatro comunale, Bologna.
June 9, 1883:
Symphonic Suite for orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (17) is performed for the first time, in Trieste.
October 10, 1883:
Ferruccio Busoni (17) and his father arrive in Vienna for a second time to try to make a reputation with the Viennese public.
October 11, 1883:
In an attempt to gain a reputation as composer as well as pianist, Ferruccio Busoni (17) goes to see Hans Richter, the conductor of the Vienna Philharmonic, with the score to his Symphonic Suite. After six tries he is allowed in. Richter promises to try it out with the orchestra.
October 21, 1883:
Six Studies for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (17) are performed for the first time, in Graz by the composer.
February 15, 1884:
Ferruccio Busoni (17) visits Anton Rubinstein (54) in Vienna. Rubinstein accepts the dedication of Busoni’s Piano Sonata in f minor, although he has no time to actually hear it.
March 6, 1884:
Piano sonata in f minor by Ferruccio Busoni (17) is performed for the first time, in the Bösendorfersaal, Vienna by the composer.
March 28, 1884:
Etude en forme de variations for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (17) is performed for the first time, in Vienna by the composer.
May 13, 1884:
Second Ballet Scene for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (18) is performed for the first time, in Gorizia by the composer.
October 4, 1884:
Almost one year after his promise, Hans Richter plays through Ferruccio Busoni’s (18) Symphonic Suite with the Vienna Philharmonic. By a majority of one vote, the orchestra decides not to perform it.
December 15, 1884:
Two Old German Songs for voice and piano by Ferruccio Busoni (18) to words of Neidhard von Reuenthal and Walther von der Vogelweide are performed for the first time, in Vienna.
January 26, 1885:
Variations and Fugue on the Prelude in c minor op.28/20 by Frédéric Chopin for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (18) is performed for the first time, in Vienna by the composer.
January 28, 1888:
String Quartet in d minor by Ferruccio Busoni (21) is performed for the first time, in the Leipzig Gewandhaus. The reviews are not positive. One member of the audience, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (47), finds it original but laments what he sees as Busoni’s desire to be German. He thinks that he is ashamed of being Italian. At a soiree, Tchaikovsky makes the acquaintance of Busoni and local conductor Gustav Mahler (27). Tchaikovsky finds Busoni "extraordinarily gifted." He makes no comment about Mahler.
September 12, 1888:
Ferruccio Busoni (22) arrives in Helsinki with his Newfoundland dog Lesko, to take up a position as piano teacher at the conservatory.
October 12, 1888:
Ferruccio Busoni (22) gives his first recital in Helsinki. He began teaching at Helsinki Conservatory last month.
March 18, 1889:
Ferruccio Busoni (22) attends a charity banquet in Helsinki. There he dines with a student and three young women, one of whom is Gerda Sjöstrand. Within a week, he will ask her to marry him. She will accept.
August 27, 1890:
Konzerstuck op.31a for piano and orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (24) is performed for the first time, at St. Petersburg Conservatory, the composer at the keyboard.
September 27, 1890:
Morning. Gerda Herminia Sjöstrand, daughter of a sculptor and a painter, arrives in Moscow to marry Ferruccio Busoni (24) who has been appointed professor at the Imperial Conservatory. She has traveled for three days with her father, sister, and Busoni’s dog Lesko. Busoni tells her that the Protestant minister engaged to marry them is leaving on holiday and haste is of the utmost. Without time to change into her wedding dress, she marries Busoni.
December 7, 1891:
Ferruccio Busoni (25) makes his first performance in New York, at the Fortnightly Club.
February 16, 1893:
Unter den Linden, a song for voice and orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (26) to words of Walther von der Vogelweide, is performed for the first time, in Mechanics’ Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts.
April 15, 1893:
Symphonic Tone Poem for orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (27) is performed for the first time, in Boston. There was an open dress rehearsal of the work yesterday in Boston.
April 3, 1894:
Two-and-a-half years after arriving in America, Ferruccio Busoni (28) and his family depart New York for Europe.
April 12, 1894:
Ferruccio Busoni (28) and his family arrive in Berlin from America. Except for the interval of World War I, this will be his home for the rest of his life.
April 22, 1894:
Ferruccio Busoni (28) attends the Berlin premiere of Falstaff. He will write to his parents that it is “undoubtedly the best comic opera since the Barbiere.”
November 3, 1894:
Ferruccio Busoni (28) plays the first of three concerts in Berlin. The critics are effusive in their praise.
February 4, 1895:
From Darkness into Light op.53 for orchestra by Alyeksandr Glazunov (29) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg conducted by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov (50). The work is dedicated to Ferruccio Busoni (28).
December 4, 1896:
Ferruccio Busoni (30) performs the Piano Concerto of Edvard Grieg (53) in Christiania (Oslo) in the presence of the composer. He is compared to Anton Rubinstein(†1).
October 8, 1897:
Three works by Ferruccio Busoni (31) are performed for the first time, in the Singakademie, Berlin conducted by the composer: Concerto for violin and orchestra op.35a, Second Orchestral Suite (Geharnischte Suite) op.34a and the Comedy Overture op.38. Reviews are widely mixed.
November 4, 1897:
Ferruccio Busoni (31) gives his first performance in London, at St. James’ Hall.
December 11, 1897:
Ferruccio Busoni (31) departs London for Vienna after his first visit of six successful weeks.
September 30, 1898:
Sonata for violin and piano no.2 op.36a by Ferruccio Busoni (32) is performed for the first time, at the Musikinstitut, Helsinki.
January 29, 1904:
Ferruccio Busoni (37) gives a recital at the White House before President and Mrs. Roosevelt. It is only the second time that a performer has been given an entire evening. (Paderewski was the first)
March 24, 1904:
Ferruccio Busoni (37) sails from New York aboard the Blücher after his first concert tour of the United States.
November 10, 1904:
Concerto for piano, chorus, and orchestra op.39 by Ferruccio Busoni (38) to words of Oehlenschlaeger is performed for the first time, in the Beethovensaal, Berlin. The press is scathing in its criticism.
October 21, 1905:
A suite from the incidental music to Gozzi’s play Turandot by Ferruccio Busoni (39) is performed for the first time, in the Beethovensaal, Berlin.
March 12, 1908:
Six Elegies for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (41) are performed for the first time, in the Beethovensaal, Berlin by the composer. Most of the material is reworked from earlier compositions.
June 29, 1908:
Fourteen Bagatelles op.6 for piano by Béla Bartók (27) are performed for the first time, in the Vienna piano class of Ferruccio Busoni (42). See 12 March 1910.
January 6, 1910:
Ferruccio Busoni (43) performs the Emperor Concerto of Ludwig van Beethoven (†82) with the New York Philharmonic directed by Gustav Mahler (49).
September 1, 1910:
Ferruccio Busoni (44) gives a month of recitals and master classes in Basel beginning today.
September 30, 1910:
Ferruccio Busoni (44) gives the first performance of two of his piano works in the Musikhochschule, Basel: Sonatina no.1 and Fantasia Contrappuntistica.
February 21, 1911:
Against his doctor’s better judgment, Gustav Mahler (50) conducts the New York Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall while he is suffering with a fever from his recurring throat ailment. It turns out to be his last performance. He directs the premiere of Berceuse élégiaque op.42 for orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (45).
February 24, 1911:
Concertmaster Theodore Spiering fills in for the ailing Gustav Mahler (50) in conducting the New York Philharmonic. Ferruccio Busoni (44) conducts his own Berceuse élégiaque. Spiering will conduct subsequent concerts as well.
February 26, 1911:
Ferruccio Busoni (44) dines at the New York home of Arturo Toscanini. The conductor attended the New York Philharmonic concert of 21 February. The two are instant soul mates. Busoni plays on Toscanini’s Steinway, which pleases him greatly.
April 8, 1911:
As Gustav (50) and Alma Mahler depart their New York hotel, the lobby is cleared to spare them the prying public. Offered a stretcher, he prefers to walk out on the arm of Joseph Fraenkel. They board the SS Amerika for the trip to France. Also on board is Mahler’s friend, Ferruccio Busoni (45).
August 26, 1911:
Incidental music to Gozzi’s play (translated by Vollmoeller) Turandot by Ferruccio Busoni (45) is performed for the first time, in the Deutchestheater, Berlin.
October 10, 1911:
Ferruccio Busoni (45) telegrams Béla Bartók (30), informing him that he is withdrawing from the inaugural concert of the New Hungarian Music Society (UMZE). This withdrawal will cause Bartók and the other organizers to turn from modern works to older music.
October 26, 1911:
Verzweiflung und Ergbebung, an appendix to the Turandot Suite of Ferruccio Busoni (45), is performed for the first time, in the Deutsches Theater, Berlin for a production of Turandot. See 21 October 1905.
April 13, 1912:
Die Brautwahl, an opera by Ferruccio Busoni (46) to his own words after Hoffmann, is performed for the first time, in the Stadttheater, Hamburg. Critics are pleased, but it runs only four performances. See 3 January 1913.
January 3, 1913:
An orchestral suite op.45 from Die Brautwahl by Ferruccio Busoni (47) is performed for the first time, in the Beethovensaal, Berlin. See 13 April 1912.
May 1, 1913:
Ferruccio Busoni (47) signs a contract to direct the Liceo Rossini in Bologna, to begin in the Autumn.
May 12, 1913:
Sonatina for piano no.2 by Ferruccio Busoni (47) is performed for the first time, in the Concert Hall of the Verdi Conservatory, by the composer. The audience objects to perceived futurist tendencies in the music. Some blows are struck.
March 12, 1914:
Two works for orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (47) are performed for the first time, in the Beethovensaal, Berlin conducted by the composer: Nocturne symphonique op.43 and Red Indian Fantasy op.44.
October 10, 1914:
In Berlin, Ferruccio Busoni (48) writes in his diary, “Today Antwerp ‘fell’...What do they actually intend to do with Belgium? Hand it back a little damaged.”
January 4, 1915:
Ferruccio Busoni (48) shuts his Berlin apartment and takes his entire family on a concert tour of North America. He will not return for almost six years.
January 23, 1915:
Ferruccio Busoni (48) and his family reach New York aboard the SS Rotterdam out of Naples.
March 11, 1915:
At the invitation of Ferruccio Busoni (48), Charles T. Griffes (30) visits him in New York. They met once before in Berlin in 1907. Griffes plays through some of his compositions and Busoni is impressed. He promises to recommend him to the conductor Frederick Stock in Chicago and then writes a recommendation to the publisher G. Schirmer.
August 28, 1915:
Ferruccio Busoni (49) ends his fourth tour of the United States, sailing for Europe.
March 5, 1916:
Rondo arlecchinesco op.46 for orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (49) is performed for the first time, in the Augusteum, Rome.
May 11, 1917:
Two operas by Ferruccio Busoni (51) to his own words are performed for the first time, in the Zürich Statdttheater, conducted by the composer: Arlecchino, oder Die Fenster, and Turandot. One of the dancers in Turandot is Karoline Blamauer, who will soon acquire the stage name Lotte Lenja.
November 6, 1917:
Sonatina no.3 for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (51) is performed for the first time, in Zürich Tonhalle.
December 18, 1917:
Improvisation on “Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seele” for two pianos by Ferruccio Busoni (51) is performed for the first time, in the Zürich Tonhalle.
January 24, 1918:
Sonatina no.4 in diem Nativitatis Christi MCMXVII, for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (53) is performed for the first time, in the Zürich Tonhalle.
December 9, 1918:
Concertino for clarinet and small orchestra op.48 by Ferruccio Busoni (52) is performed for the first time, in the Zürich Tonhalle.
March 31, 1919:
Sarabande and Cortège op.51 for orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni is performed for the first time, in Zürich Tonhalle, on the eve of the composer’s 53rd birthday.
June 22, 1920:
Sonatina for piano no.6 “super Carmen” by Ferruccio Busoni (54) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London by the composer.
September 9, 1920:
Having spent the war years mostly in Zürich, Ferruccio Busoni (54) departs to return to Berlin. His family will soon follow. He flies to Stuttgart, then takes a train to Berlin.
September 11, 1920:
Ferruccio Busoni (54) returns to his Berlin home for the first time in almost six years.
October 6, 1920:
Two works for voice and orchestra or piano by Ferruccio Busoni (54) to words of Goethe are performed for the first time, in Zürich Tonhalle: Lied des Mephistopheles op.49/2 and Lied des Unmuts.
November 18, 1920:
Toccata for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (54) is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, Berlin by the composer.
January 13, 1921:
Three works by Ferruccio Busoni (54) are performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, conducted by the composer: Altoums Warnung, an appendix to the Turandot Suite, Divertimento for flute and orchestra op.52, and Tanzwalzer op.53 for orchestra.
November 16, 1921:
Fantasia Contrappuntistica for two pianos by Ferruccio Busoni (55) is performed for the first time, in the Beethovensaal, Berlin. The composer plays one part.
December 10, 1921:
Romanza e Scherzoso op.54 for piano and orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (55) is performed for the first time, in Basel Casino.
February 4, 1922:
Three Album leaves for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (55) are performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London by the composer.
April 27, 1923:
Zigeunerlied op.55/2 for voice and orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (57) to words of Goethe is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, Berlin.
August 15, 1923:
The first Bauhaus festival opens in Weimar. Concerts over the next six weeks will include music by Igor Stravinsky (41), Feruccio Busoni (67), Ernst Krenek (22), and Paul Hindemith (27).
August 18, 1923:
Prélude et étude for piano by Ferruccio Busoni (57) is performed for the first time, in the Deutsches Nationaltheater, Weimar. Also premiered are the first three of Busoni’s Five short pieces for the cultivation of part-playing on the pianoforte.
August 19, 1923:
Igor Stravinsky (41) and Ferruccio Busoni (57) meet for the first time, in Weimar.
July 27, 1924:
03:30 Ferruccio Dante Michelangelo Benvenuto Busoni dies in his apartment on the Viktoria-Luise-Platz, Berlin, Germany of “chronic inflammation of the kidneys and heart,” aged 58 years, three months, and 26 days. His cremated remains will be placed in the Friedhof Schöneberg III, Berlin.
May 21, 1925:
Doktor Faust, an opera by Ferruccio Busoni (†0) to his own words, completed by Jarnach, is performed for the first time, in the Sachsisches Staatstheater, Dresden.
October 1, 1925:
Arnold Schoenberg (51) enters upon duties as professor of advanced composition at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin. It is the seat formerly held by Ferruccio Busoni (†1).