June 13, 1899:
Carlos Antonio de Padua Chávez y Ramírez is born in Casa no.2, de la Calle Real in Popotla, near Mexico City, Mexico, seventh of seven children born to Agustín Chávez, an inventor, and Juvencia Ramírez, who directs a normal school for young women in Popotla.
June 24, 1912:
In a recital of the works of Claude Debussy (49) by several young pianists in Mexico City, Carlos Chávez (13) plays Clair de lune.
September 1, 1922:
Carlos Chávez (23) marries Otilia Ortiz, a pianist.
July 20, 1924:
Carlos Chávez (25) begins a series of new music concerts in Mexico City. He will introduce the city to many of the major contemporary composers.
August 24, 1924:
Carlos Chávez (25) publishes the first of a series of articles denouncing Julián Carrillo (49) and his microtonal system as simply derivative of techniques already explored in Europe. See 29 November 1924.
November 29, 1924:
Julián Carrillo (49) publishes an article in La Antorcha answering the criticisms of Carlos Chávez (25). “I do not believe we should deny the Mexican mestizos…the right to produce something new that Europeans have not found so far…I understand my musical knowledge as a continuation of the glorious German music tradition.” (Madrid, 18)
February 8, 1925:
From the Land of Dreams for orchestra by William Grant Still (29) is performed for the first time, in an International Composers’ Guild concert in Aeolian Hall, New York. The first performance of any of his concert music, Still will say “It was one of the greatest moments of my life.” Also on the program is the premiere of Ensemble for string quintet with thunder sticks by Henry Cowell (27) and Tres exágonos for voice and piano by Carlos Chávez (25). Mr. Cowell plays the thunder sticks. This is the first significant performance of the music of Carlos Chávez in the US.
February 2, 1928:
An informal meeting of Edgard Varèse (44), Carlos Chávez (28), Henry Cowell (30), and four others takes place in Birchard Hall, New York to plan a new Pan-American Association of Composers.
April 22, 1928:
The first of the Copland-Sessions concerts of Contemporary Music takes place at the Edyth Totten Theatre, New York, featuring premieres of works by Carlos Chávez (28) and Virgil Thomson (31) including Piano Sonata no.3, Sonatina for violin and piano, Sonatina for cello and piano, and the Piano Sonatina by Chávez, the composer at the keyboard, and Thomson’s Five Phrases from the Song of Solomon for soprano and percussion (first public performance). In Thomson’s work, Aaron Copland (27) plays percussion. Thomson is presently in Paris. Roger Sessions (31) is in Northampton, Massachusetts finishing the Piano Sonata that was intended for this concert. See 2 July 1926.
May 1, 1928:
Song Cycle on Words of Whitman for women’s voices and two pianos by Roy Harris (30) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York City. One piano is played by Carlos Chávez (28).
August 25, 1928:
Carlos Chávez (29) writes to Aaron Copland (27) and formally invites him to come to Mexico City and perform his Piano Concerto during Chávez’ first season with the Orquesta Sinfónica de México. Copland’s appearance has already been advertised. See 7 September 1928.
September 2, 1928:
Carlos Chávez (29) directs the first performance of the Orquesta Sinfónica Mexicana in the Teatro Iris, Mexico City.
September 7, 1928:
Aaron Copland (27) writes to Carlos Chávez (29) from the MacDowell Colony that it will be impossible to go to Mexico City during the upcoming season but that he would like to in the future. See 25 August 1928.
November 4, 1928:
El fuego nuevo-Ballet Azteca for female chorus and orchestra by Carlos Chávez (30) to his own scenario, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting.
December 24, 1928:
Silvestre Revueltas (28) in San Antonio telegraphs Carlos Chávez (29) in Mexico City that he will be leaving to join him as soon as possible. Chávez asked Revueltas to teach violin at the new National Conservatory of Mexico and to direct the school’s orchestra.
June 17, 1929:
A concert entitled “Concert d’Oeuvres de Jeunes Compositeurs Américains”, organized by Aaron Copland (28) and Nadia Boulanger (41), takes place at the Salle Chopin, Paris. Featured on the program are works by Copland, Carlos Chávez (30), and Roy Harris (31). Several works for voice and piano by Virgil Thomson (32) are performed for the first time, the composer at the piano: Susie Asado, La Seine, and the cycle Preciosilla, all to words of Stein, Le Berceau de Gertrude Stein, ou La Mystère de la Rue de Fleurus and the cycle La Valse grégorienne, both to words of Hugnet.
April 21, 1930:
The first concert of the Pan-American Association of Composers, led by Henry Cowell (33) takes place in Carnegie Chamber Hall (Weill Recital Hall), New York. It includes the premieres of Set no.8 for chamber orchestra by Charles Ives (55) and Rat Riddles, a song for alto, oboe, percussion, and piano by Ruth Crawford (28) to words of Sandburg. Also on the program is music by Carlos Chávez (30), Dane Rudhyar (35), Henry Brant (16) and Cowell.
July 22, 1930:
Los Cuatros Soles, a ballet by Carlos Chávez (31), is performed for the first time, in concert in the Teatro Iris, Mexico City. See 31 March 1951.
June 11, 1931:
Energía, for piccolo, flute, bassoon, horn, trumpet, bass trombone, viola, cello, and bass by Carlos Chávez (31) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 4, 1931:
An orchestral suite from the unperformed ballet Caballos de vapor by Carlos Chávez (32) is performed for the first time, in the Teatro Arbeu, Mexico City under the baton of the composer. See 31 March 1932.
March 31, 1932:
Caballos de Vapor (H.P.), a ballet by Carlos Chávez (32) to a choreography by Catherine Littlefield, with sets and costumes by Diego Rivera, is performed for the first time, in the Metropolitan Grand Opera House, Philadelphia. Even though most reviews are not good, this work makes Chávez a household name in the US and secures his North American fame. See 4 December 1931.
September 2, 1932:
After driving from New York to San Antonio, and taking a train from San Antonio, Aaron Copland (31) arrives in Mexico City, invited by Carlos Chávez (33) to attend several performances of Copland’s work. Tonight is the first all-Copland concert anywhere. He will stay for four months.
September 6, 1932:
Tierra Mojada, for chorus by Carlos Chávez (33) to words of López Velarde, is performed for the first time, in the Teatro Orientación, Mexico City.
April 2, 1933:
Two new chamber works are performed for the first time, on the same program in New York: Soli I for oboe, clarinet, trumpet, and bassoon by Carlos Chávez (33) and Elegies for violin and viola by Aaron Copland (32).
December 15, 1933:
Sinfónia de Antígona by Carlos Chávez (34) is performed for the first time, in the Teatro Hidalgo, Mexico City the composer conducting.
July 17, 1934:
El Sol, a corrido mexicano for chorus and orchestra by Carlos Chávez (35) to traditional words reworked by Gutiérrez Cruz, is performed for the first time, in San Angel near Mexico City the composer conducting. Also on the program is the premiere of Caminos for orchestra by Silvestre Revueltas (34).
September 29, 1934:
Llamadas for chorus and small orchestra by Carlos Chávez (35) is performed for the first time, under the baton of the composer, at a concert dedicating the new Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City. In attendance are President Abelardo L. Rodríguez and his cabinet.
November 23, 1934:
Aaron Copland’s (34) Short Symphony is performed for the first time, in Mexico City conducted by Carlos Chávez (35).
October 18, 1935:
Chapultepec (Oberatura republicana) for orchestra by Carlos Chávez (36), is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City.
January 23, 1936:
Sinfonia India by Carlos Chávez (36) is performed for the first time, in New York over the airwaves of the CBS radio network. The composer conducts.
March 27, 1936:
Farewell to Pioneers by Roy Harris (38) is performed for the first time, in the Philadelphia Academy of Music conducted by Carlos Chávez (36).
September 4, 1936:
Tabuh-tabuhan for two pianos and orchestra by Colin McPhee (36) is performed for the first time, in Mexico City conducted by Carlos Chávez (37). It is very successful.
January 30, 1937:
The first movement of Three Spirals for violin and piano by Carlos Chávez (37) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
April 10, 1937:
Paul Hindemith (41) makes his first performing appearance in the United States, playing his own Sonata for viola solo at the Library of Congress, Washington. On the same program, Hindemith’s Piano Sonata no.3, Sonata for flute and piano, and the first four of the Sechs Lieder for tenor and piano to words of Hölderlin, are performed for the first time. Also premiered are the first two movements of Concerto for Horns by Carlos Chávez (37). See 4 November 1964.
July 20, 1937:
Homenaje a Federico García Lorca for 13 instruments by Silvestre Revueltas (37) is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City directed by Carlos Chávez (38).
August 27, 1937:
Aaron Copland’s (36) tone poem El Salón México is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City Carlos Chávez (38) conducting in the presence of the composer.
April 3, 1938:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for William Grant Still (42), David Diamond (22), and Carlos Chávez (38).
September 1, 1939:
Concerto for Horns by Carlos Chávez (40) is performed completely for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City.
March 16, 1940:
Carlos Chávez (40) begins a series of concerts of Mexican music at the Museum of Modern Art, New York. The series is commissioned by Nelson Rockefeller.
May 16, 1940:
Two new works by Carlos Chávez (40) are performed for the first time, at the Museum of Modern Art, New York: Xochipili-Macuilxochitl for four winds and percussion ensemble, and La Paloma Azul for chorus and small orchestra.
January 4, 1942:
Piano Concerto by Carlos Chávez (42) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
March 25, 1942:
New works are performed for the first time in Carnegie Hall, New York at a memorial concert in honor of Kurt Schindler, founder of the Schola Cantorum: Las agachadas for chorus by Aaron Copland (41) to traditional Spanish words, and Tree of Sorrow, an arrangement of Spanish folksongs for chorus by Carlos Chávez (42).
August 31, 1945:
Cuatro Nocturnos for soprano, alto, and orchestra by Carlos Chávez (46) to words of Villaurrutia, are performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City.
January 23, 1946:
La hija de Cólquide, a ballet by Carlos Chávez (46) to a scenario by Graham, is performed for the first time, in the Plymouth Theatre, New York.
January 1, 1947:
Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura begins its operations in Mexico under Director-General Carlos Chávez (47).
July 22, 1947:
Toccata for orchestra by Carlos Chávez (48) is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, the composer conducting.
October 31, 1947:
Toccata for Percussion Instruments by Carlos Chávez (48) is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City.
January 19, 1949:
Carlos Chávez (49) resigns his post as director of the Orquesta Sinfónica de México, a post he has held for over 20 years.
March 8, 1949:
In accepting the resignation of Carlos Chávez (49) as director of the Orquesta Sinfónica de México, the managing council announces the dissolution of the orchestra. “The Symphony Orchestra of Mexico was, in reality, the personal work of Carlos Chávez who founded it in 1928 and directed it uninterruptedly for 21 seasons.”
January 11, 1950:
Carlos Chávez (50) is awarded the Commander of the Order of the Crown of Belgium.
March 31, 1951:
Los cuatro soles, a ballet by Carlos Chávez (51) to his own scenario, is staged for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City. See 22 July 1930.
February 29, 1952:
Violin Concerto by Carlos Chávez (52) is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, conducted by the composer.
April 17, 1952:
Carlos Chávez (52) receives the Estrella de la Solidaridad Italiana.
November 6, 1952:
Carlos Chávez (53) receives the Swedish Order of the Polar Star.
December 24, 1952:
Carlos Chávez (53) is made an Officer in the French Legion of Honor.
February 11, 1953:
Symphony no.4 “Sinfonia Romantica” and Baile for orchestra, both by Carlos Chávez (53), are performed for the first time, in Columbia Auditorium, Louisville, under the baton of the composer.
December 1, 1953:
Symphony no.5 by Carlos Chávez (54) is performed for the first time, in Royce Hall Auditorium, Los Angeles the composer conducting.
December 11, 1954:
Symphony no.3 by Carlos Chávez (55) is performed for the first time, in Caracas, under the baton of the composer.
November 25, 1955:
Carlos Chávez (56) gives a lecture at the Colegio Nacional on the subject of dodecaphony. This helps to spread interest in the technique in Mexico and Latin America in general.
May 9, 1957:
Panfilo and Lauretta, an opera by Carlos Chávez (57) to words of Kallman after Boccaccio, is performed for the first time, at the Brander Matthews Theatre, Columbia University, New York. See 28 October 1959, 21 May 1963, and 26 July 1968.
July 2, 1957:
Upingos for oboe by Carlos Chávez (58) is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City.
April 14, 1958:
Invención for piano by Carlos Chávez (58) is performed officially for the first time, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
October 28, 1959:
Love Propitiated, a revision of Panifilo and Lauretta, an opera by Carlos Chávez (60) to words of Kallman after Boccaccio, is performed for the first time, in Mexico City. See 9 May 1957, 21 May 1963, and 26 July 1968.
April 4, 1961:
Soli II for woodwind quintet by Carlos Chávez (61) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
May 21, 1963:
El amor propiciado, the second revision of Panfilo and Lauretta, an opera by Carlos Chávez (63) to words of Kallman after Boccaccio (tr. Lindsay and Hernández Moncada), is performed for the first time, in Mexico City. See 9 May 1957, 28 October 1959, and 26 July 1968.
April 12, 1964:
String Quartet no.2 by Carlos Chávez (64) is performed for the first time, in the Auditorio de Medicina, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City.
May 7, 1964:
Symphony no.6 by Carlos Chávez (64) is performed for the first time, in New York, conducted by Leonard Bernstein (45).
September 17, 1964:
Resonancias for orchestra by Carlos Chávez (65), commissioned for the opening of Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology, is performed for the first time, in Mexico City, under the baton of the composer.
May 8, 1965:
Invention no.2 for violin, viola, and cello by Carlos Chávez (65) is performed for the first time, in the Library of Congress, Washington.
October 11, 1965:
Tambuco for six percussionists by Carlos Chávez (66) is performed for the first time, in the Leo S. Bing Center of Los Angeles County, California.
November 24, 1965:
Soli no.3 for bassoon, trumpet, viola, timpani, and orchestra by Carlos Chávez (66) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Südwestfunk, originating in Baden-Baden.
July 15, 1967:
Elatio for orchestra by Carlos Chávez (68), composed to celebrate the centennial of the restoration of the Mexican republic, is performed for the first time, in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City.
August 9, 1967:
Soli no.4 for trumpet, horn, and trombone by Carlos Chávez (68) is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.
July 26, 1968:
Los visitantes, the third revision of Panfilo and Lauretta, an opera by Carlos Chávez (69) to words of Kallman after Boccaccio (tr. Lindsay and Hernández Moncada), is performed for the first time, in Mexico City. See 9 May 1957, 28 October 1959, and 21 May 1963.
August 24, 1969:
Discovery for orchestra by Carlos Chávez (70) is performed for the first time, in the Cabrillo College Theatre, Aptos, California.
December 12, 1969:
Variations for violin and piano by Carlos Chávez (70) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
March 23, 1970:
Clio, a symphonic ode by Carlos Chávez (70), is performed for the first time, in Jones Hall, Houston the composer conducting.
August 27, 1972:
Prometheus Bound, a cantata for soprano, speakers, chorus, and orchestra by Carlos Chávez (73) to words of Trevelyan after Aeschylus is performed for the first time, in Aptos, California.
January 3, 1973:
Carlos Chávez (73) is appointed head of the Department of Music in the Institute of Fine Arts of Mexico and Director of the National Symphony Orchestra. He will resign both positions before the month is out in disputes over artistic control with the orchestra board and musicians.
October 9, 1973:
Initium for orchestra by Carlos Chávez (74) is performed for the first time, in Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron, Ohio.
March 16, 1976:
Two piano works by Carlos Chávez (76) are performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street Y, New York: Cinco Caprichos and Estudio a Rubinstein.
May 19, 1977:
Carlos Chávez (77) is named an advisor to Mexican President José López Portillo.
May 8, 1978:
Carlos Chávez (78) appears as conductor for the last time, at the Interamerican Music Festival in the Kennedy Center, Washington where his Concerto for trombone and orchestra is performed for the first time. Also premiered is American Te Deum for vocal soloist, chorus, and orchestra by Karel Husa (56), conducted by the composer. See 5 December 1976.
July 23, 1978:
Two works for band by Carlos Chávez (79) are performed for the first time, in Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center, New York: Mañanas Mexicanas and Zandunga Serenade.
August 27, 1978:
Threnody for Carlos Chávez (†0) for viola and Sundanese gam degung by Lou Harrison (61) is performed for the first time, in Santa Cruz, California.