January 12, 1926:
Morton Feldman is born in New York, New York, USA, the second of two children born to Irving Feldman, who works in a clothing company, and Frances Feldman. Both parents are Russian Jewish immigrants.
April 15, 1943:
Dirge. In Memory of Thomas Wolfe for orchestra by Morton Feldman (17) is performed for the first time, at the High School of Music and Art, New York.
January 26, 1950:
Today or tomorrow, Morton Feldman (24) speaks to John Cage (37) for the first time, in the lobby of Carnegie Hall at a concert where Webern’s (†4) Symphony is performed. Cage invites Feldman to his apartment. Within days, Feldman arrives bearing his String Quartet. Cage is very encouraging.
April 28, 1950:
Journey to the End of Night for soprano, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and bassoon by Morton Feldman (24) to words of Céline is performed for the first time, in the Museum of Natural History Auditorium of the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.
January 17, 1951:
Projection 2 for flute, trumpet, violin, cello, and piano by Morton Feldman (25) is performed for the first time, in Millbrook, New York. Also premiered is Sixteen Dances for flute, trumpet, percussion, violin, cello, and piano by John Cage (38). Feldman conceived of his Projection series, and the graphic score, at dinner with John Cage and David Tudor in Cage’s Manhattan apartment last month.
February 9, 1951:
John Cage (38) delivers his Lecture on Something at The Club, a regular meeting of artists in Philip Pavia’s Manhattan loft apartment. It is dedicated to Morton Feldman (25).
February 11, 1951:
4 Songs to ee cummings for soprano, cello, and piano by Morton Feldman (25) is performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre of Columbia University.
April 12, 1951:
Variations for piano by Morton Feldman (25) is performed for the first time, for a dance by Merce Cunningham in Seattle.
May 25, 1951:
Piece for violin and piano by Morton Feldman (25) is performed for the first time, at the Artists’ Club, New York. Also premiered is Feldman’s Projection 4 for three flutes, trumpet, three cellos, and two pianos.
June 14, 1951:
Jackson Pollock, a film by Hans Nemuth with music by Morton Feldman (25), is shown for the first time, at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
July 5, 1951:
Music of Changes part 1 for piano by John Cage (38) is performed for the first time, at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Also premiered are Two Intermissions and Intermission 3 for piano by Morton Feldman (25), and For Prepared Piano by Christian Wolff (17). Earle (24) and Carolyn Brown are in the audience. During his stay in Denver, Tudor will introduce the Browns to Joseph Campbell and Jean Erdman. In a few weeks, the Browns will be in New York visiting Cage. “In a single afternoon and evening, prefaced by our two meetings in Denver, I’d made John Cage my guru and probably my hero as well.” (Larson, 208) See 1 January 1952.
January 1, 1952:
Music of Changes for piano by John Cage (39) is performed completely for the first time, in the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York. Also premiered is Morton Feldman’s (25) Intersections 2 for piano. See 5 July 1951.
January 18, 1952:
Imaginary Landscape no.5 for any 42 recordings, “the score to be realized as a magnetic tape”, by John Cage (39), is performed for the first time, in the Hunter College Playhouse, New York for the dance Portrait of a Lady. It was composed six days ago in the space of 18 hours. Morton Feldman’s (26) piano work Nature Pieces is premiered for the dance Changing Woman.
February 10, 1952:
Two Pastorales for prepared piano by John Cage (39) is performed completely for the first time, in the Cherry Lane Theatre, New York. Also premiered are Fugue for David Tudor for piano by Lou Harrison (34), Intermission 4 and Intermission 5 for piano by Morton Feldman (26), Three Pieces for Piano by Earle Brown (25), and For Piano (I) by Christian Wolff (17). It is the first complete performance of Feldman’s Intermissions 1-5. See 5 July 1951 and 9 December 1951.
March 2, 1952:
Music for Eliot’s play Sweeney Agonistes for amplified tick-tock clock by Morton Feldman (26) is performed for the first time, in the Cherry Lane Theater, New York.
March 15, 1952:
Extensions I for violin and piano by Morton Feldman (26) is performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre of Columbia University.
May 2, 1952:
Water Music for pianist by John Cage (39) is performed for the first time, at the New School for Social Research, New York. Also premiered is Extensions 3 for piano by Morton Feldman (26).
April 28, 1954:
Two works are performed for the first time, in Carl Fischer Concert Hall, New York: Intersection 3 for piano by Morton Feldman (28), and Four Systems for variable instrumentation by Earle Brown (27).
October 17, 1954:
34’ 46.776” and 31’ 57.9865” for a pianist (prepared piano) by John Cage (42) are performed for the first time, in the Festhalle, Donaueschingen by David Tudor and the composer. Also premiered is Morton Feldman’s (28) Intersection for Magnetic Tape. The audience is largely confused, some laughing, some shouting. It is the first time Cage and Tudor perform in Europe.
January 1, 1955:
Structure II for two cellos by Morton Feldman (28) is performed for the first time, in the Charles Egan Gallery, New York. Also premiered are Feldman’s Extensions 5 for two cellos and Three Pieces for Piano. It is the first all-Feldman concert anywhere.
February 2, 1955:
Morton Feldman (29) gives a talk on his music called “The unframed frame” at the Club, a group of abstract expressionist artists at 39 East 8th Street, New York.
April 20, 1955:
Two Pieces for Two Pianos by Morton Feldman (29) is performed for the first time, in Sanders Theater of Harvard University by John Cage (42) and David Tudor.
May 30, 1956:
Several new works are performed for the first time, in Carl Fischer Hall, New York: 4 More for one or more pianos by Earle Brown (29), Structures for string quartet and Three Pieces for String Quartet by Morton Feldman (30), and Radio Music by John Cage (43)
November 30, 1956:
Piano Piece 1956 by Morton Feldman (30) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.
April 30, 1957:
Two works by Morton Feldman (31) are performed for the first time, in Carl Fischer Concert Hall, New York: Extensions 4 for three pianos, and Piece for Four Pianos. Also premiered is Sonata for three pianos by Christian Wolff (23) played by David Tudor, John Cage (44), and William Masselos.
November 17, 1957:
Piano Piece 1956B by Morton Feldman (31) is performed for the first time, in New York.
December 15, 1957:
Piano (Three Hands) and Two Pianos, both by Morton Feldman (31) are performed for the first time, in Paine Hall of Harvard University by John Cage (45) and David Tudor. Also premiered is Duo for Pianists I by Christian Wolff (23).
March 15, 1958:
Two works are performed for the first time, in the music building of the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro: Variations I for any number of players by John Cage (45), and Intermission 6 for one or two pianos by Morton Feldman (32), performed by John Cage and David Tudor.
August 17, 1958:
Ixion for three flutes, clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombone, piano, 3-7 cellos, and 2-4 double basses by Morton Feldman (32) is performed for the first time, at Connecticut College, New London.
September 3, 1958:
Connected to his lectures at Darmstadt, John Cage (45) and David Tudor perform the European premieres of several works by Cage, Morton Feldman (32), Earle Brown (31), and the world premiere of Duo for Pianists II by Christian Wolff (24). The audience is in an uproar, mostly consisting of laughter. During these days in Darmstadt, Cage first meets Nam June Paik (26).
March 2, 1959:
Piano Piece 1952 by Morton Feldman (33) is performed for the first time, at the Circle in the Square Theatre, New York. Also premiered is Feldman’s Piano Four Hands by the composer and David Tudor.
April 26, 1959:
Last Pieces for piano by Morton Feldman (33) is performed for the first time, at The Village Gate, New York.
February 6, 1960:
Atlantis for 17 players by Morton Feldman (34) is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street Y, New York.
March 25, 1960:
Four Declamations with Return for violin and piano by Henry Cowell (63) is performed publicly for the first time, at the New School, New York. Also premiered is Durations 2 for cello and piano by Morton Feldman (34).
March 17, 1961:
...Out of “Last Pieces” for orchestra by Morton Feldman (35) is performed for the first time, in Cooper Union Great Hall, New York.
March 26, 1961:
Durations 3 for violin, tuba, and piano by Morton Feldman (35) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
April 16, 1961:
Durations I for alto flute, piano, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (35) is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Concert Hall, New York the composer at the keyboard.
May 23, 1961:
Durations 4 for vibraphone, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (35) is performed for the first time, in New York.
August 3, 1961:
Atlas eclipticalis for any 86 instruments by John Cage (48) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Comédie Canadienne, Montreal. The work, presented by one pianist and 17 instrumentalists, is produced simultaneously with Cage’s Winter Music and conducted by the composer. Also premiered is Durations 5 for horn, vibraphone, harp, piano, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (35). See 6 February 1964.
February 6, 1962:
Morton Feldman (36) signs a contract with Edition Peters to publish his music.
February 7, 1962:
Intervals for bass-baritone, trombone, percussion, and cello by Morton Feldman (36) to his own words is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Concert Hall of the 92nd Street Y, New York.
March 5, 1962:
The Swallows of Salangan for chorus, four flutes, alto flute, five trumpets, two tubas, two vibraphones, two pianos, and seven cellos by Morton Feldman (36) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Brussels, directed by Mauricio Kagel.
December 18, 1962:
Several works in honor of the 60th birthday of Stefan Wolpe are performed in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York, two for the first time: Birthday Piece for Stefan Wolpe for piano by Ralph Shapey (41), and Only for voices by Morton Feldman (36) to words of Rilke. In response is the premiere of Wolpe’s Street Music: A Counter-Offering to the Musical Offerings of Ten Composers on My 60th Birthday for baritone, narrator, flute, oboe, clarinet, cello, and piano to his own words.
September 4, 1963:
De Kooning for horn, percussion, piano, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (37) is performed for the first time, in Judson Hall, New York.
October 11, 1963:
From Here for 16 solo voices and 20 instrumentalists by Earle Brown (36) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York, conducted by the composer. Alvin Lucier (32) directs the chorus. Also premiered are several works by Morton Feldman (37): Vertical Thoughts 1 for two pianos, performed by David Tudor and John Cage (37), Vertical Thoughts 2 for violin and piano, Vertical Thoughts 3 for soprano, flute/piccolo, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, piano/celesta, violin, cello, and double bass to words of the Psalms, Vertical Thoughts 4 for piano, Vertical Thoughts 5 for soprano, tuba, percussion, celesta, and violin to words of the Psalms, and Straits of Magellan for flute, horn, trumpet, harp, electric guitar, piano, and double bass.
February 23, 1964:
Rabbi Akiba, a vocalise for flute, english horn, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, celesta, cello, and double bass by Morton Feldman (38), is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Hall of the 92nd Street Y, New York.
January 27, 1965:
Brass Quintet by Ralph Shapey (43) is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Concert Hall, New York. Also premiered is Numbers for flute, horn, trombone, tuba, percussion, piano, violin, cello, and double bass by Morton Feldman (39).
December 21, 1965:
Four Instruments for violin, cello, chimes, and piano by Morton Feldman (39) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
March 25, 1966:
Christian Wolff in Cambridge, a vocalise for chorus by Morton Feldman (40), is performed for the first time, at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts directed by Alvin Lucier (34).
June 20, 1966:
The Possibility of a New Work for Electric Guitar by Morton Feldman (40) is performed for the first time, in the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center by Christian Wolff (32).
July 23, 1968:
Structures for orchestra by Morton Feldman (42) is performed for the first time, in Mexico City.
December 31, 1968:
False Relationships and the Extended Ending for trombone, chimes, three pianos, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (42) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Biondo, Palermo.
January 20, 1969:
Pianist Aleksey Lubimov performs an avant-garde program at the House of Composers in Moscow. He presents works by Morton Feldman (43), Pierre Schaeffer (58), Terry Riley (33), Estonian Kuldar Sink, and Swiss composer Pierre Mariétan. As an encore he plays 4’33” by John Cage (56). It is seen as opposition to official Soviet orthodoxy and causes a scandal.
February 26, 1969:
Between Categories for chimes, two pianos, two violins, and two cellos by Morton Feldman (43) is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Concert Hall at the 92nd Street Y, New York.
July 13, 1970:
Madame Press Died Last Week at Ninety for twelve players by Morton Feldman (44) is performed for the first time, in Mae Zenke Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawaii.
September 19, 1970:
The Viola in My Life I for viola and orchestra by Morton Feldman (44) is performed for the first time, in London, conducted by Peter Maxwell Davies (36).
October 7, 1970:
The Viola in My Life 2 for viola and six instruments by Morton Feldman (44) is performed for the first time, in Rome.
April 24, 1971:
On Time and the Instrumental Factor for orchestra by Morton Feldman (45) is performed for the first time, in Dallas.
September 16, 1971:
The Viola in My Life IV for viola and orchestra by Morton Feldman (45) is performed for the first time, in Venice.
March 16, 1972:
Three Clarinets, Cello, and Piano for the instrumentation found in the title by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in London.
April 9, 1972:
Rothko Chapel for soprano, alto, chorus, viola, percussion, and celesta by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in the chapel for which it was named, in Houston.
June 2, 1972:
I Met Heine on the Rue Fürstenberg for female voice, flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
July 16, 1972:
Five Pianos for five pianos, one doubling celesta, by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in Berlin. The five pianists are John Cage (59), Cornelius Cardew (36), Frederic Rzewski (34), David Tudor, and the composer. There is a confrontation between Cage and Feldman when Cage misunderstands the instructions and plays 20 minutes beyond the other pianists.
August 11, 1972:
Voices and Instruments for chorus and nine players by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in Dartington.
August 31, 1972:
Pianos and Voices for five pianos and five female voices by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in Munich, commissioned for the Olympic Games. Among the performers are Cornelius Cardew (36), Christian Wolff (38), and the composer.
September 20, 1972:
Half a Minute It’s All I’ve Time For for clarinet, trombone, piano, and cello by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in Warsaw.
February 5, 1973:
Chorus and Orchestra II for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Morton Feldman (47) is performed for the first time, in St. John’s Smith Square, London.
February 11, 1973:
Voices and Instruments II for three female voices, flute, two cellos, and double bass by Morton Feldman (47) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
March 14, 1973:
Voice and Instruments, a vocalise for soprano and orchestra by Morton Feldman (47), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Sender Freies Berlin.
April 13, 1973:
Chorus and Orchestra I, a vocalise for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Morton Feldman (47) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR, Cologne.
April 15, 1973:
An all-Christian Wolff (39) concert is given at SUNY Buffalo organized by Morton Feldman (47).
April 19, 1973:
Cello and Orchestra for cello and orchestra by Morton Feldman (47) is performed for the first time, in the Casino in Royan.
December 5, 1973:
For Frank O’Hara for flute/piccolo/alto flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (47) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
March 29, 1974:
Voices and Cello, a vocalise for two female voices and cello by Morton Feldman (48) is performed for the first time, in La Rouche-Courbon.
January 16, 1975:
Instruments 1 for alto flute/piccolo, oboe/english horn, trombone, percussion, and celesta by Morton Feldman (49) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR originating in Cologne.
January 26, 1975:
String Quartet and Orchestra for string quartet and orchestra by Morton Feldman (49) is performed for the first time, in Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo.
November 21, 1975:
Piano and Orchestra for the forces inherent in the title by Morton Feldman (49) is performed for the first time, in Metz.
January 18, 1976:
Four Instruments for piano, violin, viola, and cello by Morton Feldman (50) is performed for the first time, in the New York Jewish Museum.
June 2, 1976:
Oboe and Orchestra for oboe and orchestra by Morton Feldman (50) is performed for the first time, in Rotterdam.
June 7, 1976:
Morton Feldman’s vocalise Voice, Violin, and Piano for female voice, violin, and piano is performed for the first time, in Le Haye.
August 26, 1976:
Routine Investigations for oboe, trumpet, piano, viola, cello, and double bass by Morton Feldman (50) is performed for the first time, in Teatro La Fenice, Venice.
September 18, 1976:
Melancolia I for clarinet, harp, and two string orchestras by Harrison Birtwistle (42) is performed for the first time, in Bute Hall at Glasgow University. Also premiered is Orchestra for orchestra by Morton Feldman (50).
November 19, 1976:
Two works are performed for the first time, at Baird Recital Hall in Buffalo: Sonata for violin and piano by Morton Feldman (50), 31 years after it was composed, and Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Lejaren Hiller (52), 29 years after it was composed.
January 22, 1977:
Elemental Procedures for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Morton Feldman (51), to words of Beckett, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR originating in Cologne.
May 13, 1977:
Neither, an opera by Morton Feldman (51) to words of Beckett, is performed for the first time, in Rome.
July 31, 1977:
Instruments III for flute/piccolo/alto flute, oboe/english horn, and percussion by Morton Feldman (51) is performed for the first time, in Whitechapel Art Gallery, London.
May 19, 1978:
Flute and Orchestra by Morton Feldman (52) is performed for the first time, in Saarbrücken.
October 21, 1978:
Why Patterns? for flute/alto flute, piano, and percussion by Morton Feldman (52) is performed for the first time, in Berlin, the composer at the keyboard.
May 4, 1980:
String Quartet by Morton Feldman (54) is performed for the first time, at the New York Drawing Center.
March 26, 1981:
The Turfan Fragments for orchestra by Morton Feldman (55) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Swiss-Italian Radio.
July 19, 1981:
Principal Sound for organ by Morton Feldman (55) is performed for the first time, in Hartford, Connecticut.
October 5, 1981:
Triadic Memories for piano by Morton Feldman (55) is performed for the first time, at the Institute for the Contemporary Arts in London.
March 13, 1982:
For John Cage (69) for violin and piano by Morton Feldman (56) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Space, New York during a 14 hour tribute entitled Wall-to-Wall John Cage and Friends during the 70th anniversary year of his birth.
July 1, 1982:
Bass Clarinet and Percussion for bass clarinet and percussion by Morton Feldman (56) is performed for the first time, in Stadhuishal, Middelburg.
July 4, 1982:
Patterns in a Chromatic Field for cello and piano by Morton Feldman (56) is performed for the first time, in Kuiperspoorttheater, Middelburg, the Netherlands.
March 4, 1983:
Three Voices for three sopranos or soprano and tape by Morton Feldman (57) to words of O’Hara is performed for the first time, at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia.
October 9, 1983:
Clarinet and String Quartet for clarinet and string quartet by Morton Feldman (57) is performed for the first time, in Newcastle.
December 4, 1983:
String Quartet II by Morton Feldman (57) is performed for the first time, at the University of Toronto and over the airwaves of the CBC.
February 5, 1984:
Crippled Symmetry for flute/bass flute, percussion, and piano/celesta by Morton Feldman (58) is performed for the first time, in the Akademie der Künste, Berlin.
April 12, 1984:
Violin and Orchestra by Morton Feldman (58) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Hessischer Rundfunk, originating in Frankfurt.
April 15, 1984:
Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Morton Feldman (58) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
April 21, 1985:
For Philip Guston for flute/alto flute, piano/celesta, and percussion by Morton Feldman (59) is performed for the first time, at SUNY Buffalo.
June 29, 1985:
For Bunita Marcus for piano by Morton Feldman (59) is performed for the first time, in Middelburg.
November 2, 1985:
Piano and String Quartet for the forces inherent in the title by Morton Feldman (59) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles County Museum.
May 30, 1986:
Coptic Light for orchestra by Morton Feldman (60) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York conducted by Gunther Schuller (60).
July 23, 1986:
For Christian Wolff for flute and piano/celesta by Morton Feldman (60) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt.
November 20, 1986:
Palais De Mari for piano by Morton Feldman (60) is performed for the first time, in New York.
April 30, 1987:
For Stefan Wolpe for chorus and two vibraphones by Morton Feldman (61) is performed for the first time, at the University of Wisconsin.
June 12, 1987:
For Samuel Beckett for chamber ensemble by Morton Feldman (61) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
July 4, 1987:
Piano, Violin, Viola, and Cello for those instruments by Morton Feldman (61) is performed for the first time, in Middelburg, the Netherlands. The composer is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer but insists on being present.
September 3, 1987:
Morton Feldman dies at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, New York, USA, of pancreatic cancer, aged 61 years, seven months, and 22 days. His mortal remains will be laid to rest at Beth Moses Cemetery in West Babylon, New York.
March 8, 1988:
Twill by Twilight for orchestra by Toru Takemitsu (56) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo. The work is dedicated to the memory of Morton Feldman (†0).
October 1, 1988:
The Far Country of Sleep (in memoriam Morton Feldman) for chamber ensemble by John Luther Adams (35) is performed for the first time, in Haines, Alaska.
May 31, 1989:
Composition for three flutes by Morton Feldman (†1) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
October 30, 1990:
Violin and String Quartet by Morton Feldman (†3) is performed for the first time, in the Musikhochschule, Cologne.