August 15, 1922:
Lukas Fuchs (Foss) is born in Berlin, Germany, one of two children born to Martin Fuchs, a lawyer, and Hilda Schindler, a painter. The family name will be changed when they emigrate to the United States in 1937.
March 26, 1939:
A Set of Three Pieces for two pianos, four hands by Lukas Foss (16) is performed for the first time, in New York.
March 31, 1940:
Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play The Tempest by Lukas Foss (17) is performed for the first time, in New York.
July 8, 1940:
The opening ceremonies for the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood in Lennox, Massachusetts take place. The first season includes the residency of Paul Hindemith (44) and Aaron Copland (39). Among the students are Norman Dello Joio (27), Leonard Bernstein (21) and Lukas Foss (17).
July 6, 1941:
The Berkshire Music Center opens at Tanglewood for a second season. Paul Hindemith (45) and Aaron Copland (40) are again the resident composers. Students include Norman Dello Joio (28), Ulysses Kay (24), Robert Ward (23), and Lukas Foss (18).
October 15, 1943:
A symphonic suite from Lukas Foss’ (21) unperformed cantata The Prairie is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston. See 14 May 1944.
May 14, 1944:
The Prairie, a cantata for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Lukas Foss (21) to words of Sandburg is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York. See 15 October 1943.
September 3, 1944:
Theme and Variations: The Four Temperaments for piano and string orchestra by Paul Hindemith (48) is performed for the first time, in Boston. The soloist is Lukas Foss (22).
November 13, 1944:
Three Pieces for violin and piano by Lukas Foss (22) are performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, the composer at the keyboard.
February 4, 1945:
Symphony in G by Lukas Foss (22) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh the composer conducting.
March 15, 1945:
Ode for orchestra by Lukas Foss (22) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
April 22, 1945:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for Lukas Foss (22), Samuel Barber (35), and Elliott Carter (36).
October 5, 1945:
Gift of the Magi, a ballet by Lukas Foss (23) after the O. Henry story, is performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 26, 1947:
Irving Fine (32) conducts the first performance of the Kyrie and Gloria from Igor Stravinsky’s (64) Mass for chorus and double wind quintet. The instrumental parts are played on two pianos. Also premiered is Tell This Blood for chorus by Lukas Foss (24). See 27 October 1948.
March 7, 1947:
Song of Songs for soprano and orchestra by Lukas Foss (24) to words from the Bible is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
December 31, 1948:
Howard Hanson’s (52) Piano Concerto is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston the composer conducting. On the same program is the premiere of Lukas Foss’ (26) Recordare for orchestra. This work is dedicated to Mohandas K. Gandhi and was begun on the day of his death.
April 19, 1949:
The US House Un-American Activities Committee releases its report on the Waldorf Conference recently held in New York featuring Aaron Copland (48), Marc Blitzstein (44), Dmitri Shostakovich (42), Leonard Bernstein (30), and Lukas Foss (26). It lists names of the participants and describes the “threat” posed by the conference which they call “a supermobilization of inveterate wheelhorses and supporters of the Communist Party and its auxiliary organizations...”
May 2, 1949:
Lukas Foss (26) and Irving Fine (34) are among six composers who have each contributed a section to the cantata In Grato Jubilo, to words of McCord, which is premiered tonight at a farewell dinner for Serge Koussevitzky in Symphony Hall, Boston.
February 6, 1950:
The Oboe Concerto of Lukas Foss (27) is performed for the first time, in a broadcast concert.
March 10, 1950:
Song of Anguish for baritone and orchestra by Lukas Foss (27) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston the composer conducting. An earlier incarnation for baritone, dancer, and piano was performed in 1948 as Voice in the Wilderness.
May 15, 1950:
Lukas Foss’ (27) cantata Behold! I Build an House for chorus and organ to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, at the dedication ceremonies for Marsh Chapel, Boston University.
May 18, 1950:
The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, an opera by Lukas Foss (27) to words of Karsavina after Twain, is staged for the first time, in Bloomington, Indiana. It was broadcast on radio in 1949.
October 7, 1951:
Piano Concerto no.2 by Lukas Foss (29) is performed for the first time, in Venice the composer at the piano.
March 11, 1953:
A Parable of Death for speaker, tenor, chorus, and orchestra by Lukas Foss (30) to words of Rilke and Hecht, is performed for the first time, in Columbia Auditorium, Louisville, Kentucky.
November 6, 1955:
Griffelkin, an opera by Lukas Foss (33) to words of Reid after H. Foss, is performed for the first time, in an abridged form over the airwaves of the National Broadcasting Company. See 6 August 1956.
August 6, 1956:
Griffelkin, an opera by Lukas Foss (33) to words of Reid, is performed completely for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lennox, Massachusetts. See 6 November 1955.
May 9, 1957:
Psalms for chorus and orchestra by Lukas Foss (34) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
October 24, 1958:
Symphony of Chorales for orchestra by Lukas Foss (36) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh, the composer conducting.
December 20, 1959:
In a memorable evening in New York, Igor Stravinsky (77) conducts a performance of his Les Noces. The four pianists are Roger Sessions (62), Aaron Copland (59), Samuel Barber (49) and Lukas Foss (37). Premiered this evening is Stravinsky’s (76) Double Canon for string quartet.
March 15, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) arrive in Moscow, representing the United States as part of a cultural exchange program.
March 18, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) depart Moscow and fly to Tbilisi.
March 20, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) fly back to Moscow from Tbilisi.
March 22, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) meet with six young composers at the Composers’ Union, Moscow. Among them is Arvo Pärt (24). Copland tells his journal, “…shows considerable natural gift in his Partita for piano, tho’ the piece doesn’t quite add up.” (Bartig, 583)
March 25, 1960:
The first rehearsal of the Soviet tour of Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) takes place in Bolshoy Hall of Moscow Conservatory. The program is the Symphony no.3 of Aaron Copland, Piano Concerto no.2 of Lukas Foss, the composer as soloist, and Symphony no.9 of Dmitri Shostakovich (53). At the conclusion, Copland presents Shostakovich with honorary membership in the National Institute of Arts and Letters.
March 26, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) again meet with young Soviet composers and hear their music, including the oratorio Nagasaki by Alfred Schnittke (25). In the evening they dine at the home of Dmitri Shostakovich (53). Foss and Dmitri Kabalevsky play a Haydn symphony four-hands on the piano.
March 28, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) arrive by train in Riga from Moscow.
April 1, 1960:
In the second concert of their Soviet tour, in the Great Hall of the Latvian State University in Riga, Aaron Copland (59) conducts his suites from Rodeo and The Tender Land. Lukas Foss (37) directs his Ode for Symphonic Orchestra and Francesca da Rimini by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (†66). The audience receives them warmly.
April 2, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) hear a Latvian folk ensemble and a 15-piece jazz band. “The jazz group had not one iota of originality, but, the degree of imitation was deeply flattering to America by implication.” (Bartig, 590)
April 3, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) arrive in Leningrad.
April 4, 1960:
While walking the Nevsky Prospekt in Leningrad at night, Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) are approached by two Russian jazz musicians who recognize them from pictures in the media. They have a very lively conversation as they walk the visitors back to their hotel. “They knew everyone, except Ornette Coleman.” (Bartig, 592) Copland and Foss present them with three recordings, Lennie Tristano, Gerry Mulligan, and the Modern Jazz Quartet.
April 7, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) perform in the Bolshoy Hall of the Leningrad Philharmonic. Foss directs his Symphony of Chorales and Copland his Statements and the suite from The Red Pony.
April 9, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) return to Moscow from Leningrad by train.
April 10, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) give the final performance of their tour of the Soviet Union. The Violin Sonata of Copland and the String Quartet no.1 of Foss are on the program. Copland is the pianist for his Piano Quartet. Finally, Sviatoslav Richter plays the Piano Sonata no.6 of Sergey Prokofiev (†7).
April 11, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) depart Moscow on a flight to Amsterdam.
May 5, 1960:
Introduction and Goodbyes, an opera for baritone and chorus by Lukas Foss (37) to words of Menotti (48), is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York Leonard Bernstein (41) conducting.
October 7, 1960:
Concerto for Improvising Instruments for flute, clarinet, cello, percussion, and piano by Lukas Foss (38) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia, the composer at the keyboard.
October 21, 1960:
Time Cycle for soprano and orchestra by Lukas Foss (38) to words of Nietzsche, Auden, Housman, and Kafka, is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York the composer at the piano and Leonard Bernstein (42) conducting. See 10 July 1961.
February 13, 1961:
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein (42) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York, conducted by Lukas Foss (38). See 19 August 1957.
July 10, 1961:
Time Cycle for soprano, clarinet, cello, celesta, and percussion by Lukas Foss (38) to words of Nietzsche, Auden, Housman, and Kafka, is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lennox, Massachusetts, the composer at the keyboard and conducting. See 20 October 1960.
March 11, 1962:
Studies in Improvisation for clarinet, french horn, cello, percussion, and piano by Lukas Foss (39) is performed for the first time, at the New School, New York.
December 16, 1962:
Morsima-Amorsima for piano, violin, cello, and double bass by Iannis Xenakis (40) is performed for the first time, in Athens, conducted by Lukas Foss (40).
December 28, 1962:
Lukas Foss (40) signs a two-year contract as conductor and music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
October 26, 1963:
Lukas Foss (41) makes his first performance as conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic.
November 11, 1963:
Echoi for clarinet, cello, piano, and percussion by Lukas Foss (41) is performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre, Columbia University Charles Wuorinen (25) at the piano.
November 29, 1964:
Simultaneous Mosaics for violin, clarinet, cello, percussion, and piano by Henry Cowell (67) is performed for the first time, at the Albright-Knox art gallery, Buffalo directed by Lukas Foss (42).
December 8, 1964:
Elytres for flute, two violins, and instrumental ensemble by Lukas Foss (42) is performed for the first time, as part of dedication week for the Pavilion of the Music Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
May 11, 1966:
For 24 Winds by Lukas Foss (43) is performed for the first time, in Caracas under the title Discrepancia.
July 15, 1966:
In a production of Igor Stravinsky’s (84) L’histoire du soldat at Lincoln Center, New York, conducted by Lukas Foss (43), Elliott Carter (57) plays the soldier, John Cage (53) plays the Devil, and Aaron Copland (65) is the narrator. Stravinsky, who is in the audience, tells Cage: “You are the only sensible composer I know--You don’t write any notes.”
February 11, 1967:
Lukas Foss (44) conducts opera for the first time, in a New York City Opera production of Mozart’s (†175) Le nozze di Figaro.
March 5, 1967:
Cello Concerto by Lukas Foss (44) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
April 27, 1967:
Variation III-Phorion, from Lukas Foss’ (44) Baroque Variations for orchestra is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, New York conducted by Leonard Bernstein (48). See 7 July 1967.
July 7, 1967:
Baroque Variations for orchestra by Lukas Foss (44) is performed completely for the first time, at Ravinia. See 27 April 1967.
November 7, 1967:
Non-Improvisation for clarinet, cello, piano or electronic organ, and percussion by Lukas Foss (45) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, the composer at the keyboard.
November 14, 1967:
Etudes for organ by Lukas Foss (45) is performed for the first time, in King Memorial Chapel, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
March 11, 1968:
Invited by Lukas Foss (45), Iannis Xenakis (45) gives a lecture at the University of Buffalo.
October 21, 1968:
ST/48 for 48 instruments by Iannis Xenakis (46) is performed for the first time, in Paris, conducted by Lukas Foss (46).
October 31, 1968:
Paradigm for percussionist, conductor, electric guitar or electric sitar, three instruments (high, middle and low), and electronics by Lukas Foss (46) is performed for the first time, at Hunter College, New York.
January 17, 1969:
Waves for indeterminate instrumentation by Lukas Foss (46) is performed for the first time, at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York.
September 1, 1969:
Air for percussion and orchestra by Helmut Lachenmann (33) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt, directed by Lukas Foss (47).
December 6, 1969:
Geod for four orchestral groups by Lukas Foss (47) is performed for the first time.
February 15, 1970:
Concerto for brass quintet and strings by Karel Husa (48) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo conducted by Lukas Foss (47).
July 16, 1970:
MAP (Musicians at Play)--A Musical Game for four instrumentalists, tape operator and referee by Lukas Foss (47) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul de Vence, France, the composer at the keyboard.
July 20, 1970:
Again for two sopranos, two flutes, two trombones, two double basses, percussion, and tape by Roger Reynolds (36) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul de Vence, France. Lukas Foss (47) is the conductor. Also premiered is Syntagm III for flute, bass clarinet, percussion, celeste, harp, violin, and cello by Earle Brown (43).
February 13, 1972:
Ni Bruit Ni Vitesse for two pianos and two percussionists or prepared piano, tape, percussion, and prepared percussion by Lukas Foss (49) is performed for the first time, in Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, conducted by the composer.
March 5, 1972:
The New York Times announces that Lukas Foss (49) has been named chief conductor and musical advisor to Kol Yisrael Orchestra of Jerusalem.
April 26, 1972:
Three vocal works with words by Frank O’Hara are performed for the first time, in the Whitney Museum, New York: From “Sneden’s Landing Variations” for voice and piano by Virgil Thomson (75), I Will Always Love You, a song by Ned Rorem (48), and Three Airs for Frank O’Hara’s Angel for speaker, soprano, female chorus, four instruments, and tape ad lib by Lukas Foss (49).
December 14, 1972:
The Cave of the Winds for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and french horn by Lukas Foss (50) is performed for the first time, in Hunter College Playhouse, New York.
June 2, 1973:
Orpheus for violin or viola or cello and orchestra by Lukas Foss (50) is performed for the first time, in Ojai, California. On the same program is the premiere of Threnody II: Beatrice Cunningham in memoriam for alto flute, two violins, viola, and cello by Aaron Copland (72).
June 28, 1973:
Fanfare for chamber orchestra and folk instruments by Lukas Foss (50) is performed for the first time, in Istanbul.
November 11, 1973:
Ani maamin, un chant perdu et retrouvé op.441 for soprano, four speakers, chorus, and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (81) to words of Wiesel, is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York conducted by Lukas Foss (51).
March 22, 1975:
Chamber Music for percussion and electronics by Lukas Foss (52) and Joel Chadabe is performed for the first time, in Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo.
April 9, 1975:
Concerto for solo percussionist and orchestra by Lukas Foss (52) is performed for the first time, in Fine Arts Building Auditorium, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey.
January 21, 1976:
Folksong for orchestra by Lukas Foss (53) is performed for the first time, in Lyric Theatre, Baltimore.
March 15, 1976:
Two chamber works are performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York: String Quartet no.3 by Lukas Foss (53) and String Quartet no.3 by Ben Johnston on the composer’s 50th birthday.
July 24, 1976:
American Cantata for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Lukas Foss (53) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Interlochen, Michigan directed by the composer.
February 22, 1977:
Sections I and II of Quartets I-VIII for 24 instruments by John Cage (64) are performed for the first time, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York conducted by Lukas Foss (54). See 31 May 1978.
April 29, 1977:
Quartet Plus for two string quartets, speaker, and video by Lukas Foss (54) to words of Eliot is performed for the first time, in the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
November 1, 1977:
Curriculum vitae for accordion by Lukas Foss (55) is performed for the first time, in New York. See 10 March 1981.
December 3, 1978:
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird for soprano, flute, piano, percussion, and tape by Lukas Foss (56) to words of Stevens is performed for the first time, in Baird Recital Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo.
April 30, 1979:
Quintets for orchestra by Lukas Foss (56) is performed for the first time, in Severance Hall, Cleveland the composer conducting.
January 30, 1980:
Round a Common Center for piano quartet or quintet, voice ad lib, and narrator ad lib by Lukas Foss (57) is performed for the first time, in Lake Placid, New York. The composer, who is the narrator at the premiere, composed the work for the Winter Olympics. He reads The Runner by WH Auden and is accompanied by a quintet.
December 8, 1980:
Commercial music entertainer John Lennon is shot to death by a deranged stalker in New York. Upon hearing the news, Lukas Foss (58) begins to compose Night Music for John Lennon. See 1 April 1981.
April 1, 1981:
Night Music for John Lennon for brass quintet by Lukas Foss (58) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York. See 8 December 1980.
July 2, 1981:
Exeunt for orchestra by Lukas Foss (58) is performed for the first time, at Indiana University, the composer conducting. The work is performed under the title Dissertation.
October 30, 1981:
Divertimento for electronic valve instrument, flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, horn, trombone, string orchestra, and tape by Vladimir Ussachevsky (70) is performed for the first time, in Brooklyn, conducted by Lukas Foss (59).
February 28, 1982:
Short Symphony by Otto Luening (81) is performed for the first time, in Milwaukee, Lukas Foss (59) directing.
March 23, 1982:
Two works for solo piano by Lukas Foss (59) are performed for the first time, in the American Center, Paris: Solo and Four Two-Part Inventions. The latter was composed in 1938. See 7 June 1982.
June 4, 1982:
For 200 Cellos (A Celebration) by Lukas Foss (59) is performed for the first time, at the University of Maryland, College Park.
June 7, 1982:
Solo Observed for piano, harp or cello, accordion or electronic organ, and vibraphone or marimba by Lukas Foss (59) is performed for the first time, in Miami, the composer at the keyboard. See 24 March 1982.
November 5, 1983:
Percussion Quartet for four percussionists by Lukas Foss (61) is performed for the first time, in Pyramid Art Center, Rochester, New York.
October 3, 1984:
Two works are performed for the first time, in Milwaukee, conducted by Lukas Foss (62): Cosmic Cycle for orchestra by Dane Rudhyar (89) and Creations: Two Scenes from Genesis for narrator and chamber orchestra by John Corigliano (46) to words from Genesis.
April 14, 1985:
Curriculum Vitae Tango for piano by Lukas Foss (62) is performed for the first time, in Hallwalls Art Gallery, Buffalo.
September 22, 1985:
Saxophone Quartet by Lukas Foss (63) is performed for the first time, in Christ the King Chapel, Canisius College, Buffalo.
November 9, 1985:
The Rocks on the Mountain Begin to Shout by Lukas Foss (63) after Ives (†31) is performed for the first time, in St. Peter’s Church, New York.
January 25, 1986:
Piano Concerto by Marc Blitzstein (†22) is performed for the first time in its orchestral version, in Cooper Union, New York conducted by Lukas Foss (63). See 25 April 1936.
January 31, 1986:
The Chairman Dances, an orchestral excerpt from John Adams' (38) opera Nixon in China, is performed for the first time, in Milwaukee directed by Lukas Foss (63).
February 25, 1986:
Embross for three woodwinds, three brass, percussion, strings, and electronic instruments by Lukas Foss (63) is performed for the first time, in New York.
April 4, 1986:
Concerto for harmonica and orchestra by Henry Cowell (†20) is performed for the first time, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, conducted by Lukas Foss (63), 24 years after it was composed.
May 3, 1986:
Friffelkin Suite for orchestra by Lukas Foss (63) is performed for the first time, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. See 6 November 1955.
May 9, 1986:
Renaissance Concerto for flute and large or small orchestra by Lukas Foss (63) is performed for the first time, conducted by the composer.
August 23, 1986:
Three Early Pieces for flute and piano by Lukas Foss (64), arranged by the composer for violin and piano, is performed for the first time, in New York. See 13 November 1944.
February 17, 1987:
Tashi for clarinet, two violins, viola, cello, and piano by Lukas Foss (64) is performed for the first time, at the Kennedy Center, Washington the composer at the piano.
June 17, 1987:
Central Park Reel for violin and piano by Lukas Foss (64) is performed for the first time, in Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore.
November 8, 1987:
Chaconne for guitar and tape by Lukas Foss (65) is performed for the first time, in New York.
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).
March 30, 1989:
Symphonic Fantasia no.5 by Otto Luening (88) is performed for the first time, in Milwaukee, directed by Lukas Foss (66).
April 15, 1989:
With Music Strong for chorus and orchestra by Lukas Foss (66) to his own words after Whitman is performed for the first time, in Uihlein Hall, Milwaukee the composer conducting.
June 12, 1989:
Elegy for Anne Frank for orchestra and piano obbligato by Lukas Foss (66) is performed for the first time, in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York conducted by the composer.
November 29, 1989:
Guitar Concerto by Lukas Foss (67) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York conducted by Leonard Bernstein (71).
July 6, 1990:
For Tanglewood: "a Celebration" by Lukas Foss (67) is performed for the first time, at the Tanglewood Music Centre, Lenox, Massachusetts, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
December 7, 1991:
A Concerto for clarinet and orchestra by Lukas Foss (69) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
July 23, 1994:
Piano Concerto for the left hand by Lukas Foss (71) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
May 1, 2003:
Concertino: Baroque Meditations for orchestra by Lukas Foss (80) is performed for the first time, in New York.
February 1, 2009:
Lukas Foss dies of a heart attack at his home in New York, New York, USA, aged 86 years, five months, and 17 days.