August 10, 1932:
Peter Alexander Goehr is born in Berlin, Germany, son of conductor Walter Goehr and Laelia Goehr, a classically trained pianist.
January 9, 1956:
Fantasias op.3 for clarinet in A and piano by Alexander Goehr (23) is performed for the first time, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London.
June 29, 1961:
Suite op.11 for flute, clarinet, horn, harp, violin/viola, and cello by Alexander Goehr (28) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.
August 24, 1961:
Hecuba’s Lament for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (29) is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.
July 2, 1962:
Concerto for violin and orchestra op.13 by Alexander Goehr (29) is performed for the first time, in Cheltenham.
May 29, 1963:
Virtutes, a cycle of nine songs and melodramas for speaker, chorus, and players by Alexander Goehr (30) to words of Humphreys after the Bible, is performed for the first time, at King Edward’s School, Whitley, Surrey.
July 7, 1963:
Little Symphony op.15 by Alexander Goehr (30) is performed for the first time, in York.
September 7, 1963:
Little Music for strings op.16 by Alexander Goehr (31) is performed for the first time, in Lucerne.
July 14, 1964:
Five Poems and an Epigram of William Blake op.17 for chorus and trumpet by Alexander Goehr (31) is performed for the first time, in London.
April 11, 1965:
Three Pieces op.18 for piano by Alexander Goehr (32) are performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
October 18, 1965:
Pastorals op.19 for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (33) is performed for the first time, at Donaueschingen.
June 17, 1966:
Piano Trio op.20 by Alexander Goehr (33) is performed for the first time, in Bath.
March 5, 1967:
Arden muss sterben, an opera by Alexander Goehr (34) to words of Fried, is performed for the first time, in the Hamburg Staatsoper.
July 13, 1967:
Part of the String Quartet no.2 op.23 by Alexander Goehr (34) is performed for the first time, at Dynevor Castle. See 26 October 1967.
October 26, 1967:
String Quartet no.2 op.23 by Alexander Goehr (34) is performed completely for the first time, at Bristol University. See 13 July 1967.
April 28, 1968:
Romanza op.24 for cello and orchestra by Alexander Goehr (35) is performed for the first time, in Brighton.
July 16, 1968:
Naboth’s Vineyard, a dramatic madrigal by Alexander Goehr (35) after the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Cripplegate Theatre, London.
January 12, 1969:
Three Pieces from Arden Must Die op.21a for winds, harp and percussion by Alexander Goehr (36) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC Radio. See 5 March 1967 and 16 January 1969.
January 16, 1969:
Three Pieces from Arden Must Die op.21a for winds, harp, and percussion by Alexander Goehr (36) is performed for the first time before a live audience, in Royal Festival Hall, London. See 5 March 1967 and 12 January 1969.
April 15, 1969:
Konzertstück op.26 for piano and chamber orchestra by Alexander Goehr (36) is performed for the first time, in Sydney.
May 12, 1969:
Nonomiya op.27 for piano by Alexander Goehr (36) is performed for the first time, in Macclesfield.
August 27, 1969:
Paraphrase on the dramatic madrigal Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda by Monteverdi op.28 for clarinet by Alexander Goehr (37) is performed for the first time, in Edinburgh.
May 19, 1970:
Symphony op.29 by Alexander Goehr (37) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
July 8, 1970:
Shadowplay, a music theatre by Alexander Goehr (37) to words of Cavander after Plato, is performed for the first time, in City Temple Theatre, London.
January 25, 1971:
Two works are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Brussels Radio: Invitation à L’Utopie for speaker, two female voices, chorus, and instruments by Henri Pousseur (41), and Concerto for Eleven op.32 for eleven players by Alexander Goehr (38) conducted by the composer.
May 14, 1972:
Concerto for piano and orchestra by Alexander Goehr (39) is performed for the first time, in Brighton, England.
November 14, 1973:
Birthday Canon for Richard Hall’s 70th Birthday for wind quintet by Peter Maxwell Davies (39) is performed for the first time, in Leeds University Great Hall. It is one of six pieces composed by Hall’s former students to celebrate the event. Another work is contributed by Alexander Goehr (41).
November 3, 1974:
Chaconne for Winds op.34 by Alexander Goehr (40) is performed for the first time, at the University of Leeds, conducted by Pierre Boulez (49).
November 15, 1974:
Lyric Pieces op.35 for winds and double bass by Alexander Goehr (40) is performed for the first time, in London.
November 17, 1974:
Metamorphosis/Dance op.36 for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (42) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
June 28, 1976:
String Quartet no.3 op.37 by Alexander Goehr (43) is performed for the first time, at St. John’s, Smith Square, London.
July 8, 1976:
Psalm IV op.38a for soprano, alto female chorus, viola, and organ by Alexander Goehr (43) is performed for the first time, in London. Also premiered is Goehr’s Fugue on the Notes of the Fourth Psalm op.38a for strings.
February 20, 1978:
Romanza on the Notes of the Fourth Psalm op.38c for two violins, two violas, and strings by Alexander Goehr (45) is performed for the first time, in Edinburgh, conducted by the composer.
October 18, 1979:
Der Gesetz der Quadrille op.41 for middle voice and piano by Alexander Goehr (47) to words of Kafka is performed for the first time, in Norwich.
December 12, 1979:
Babylon the Great is Fallen op.40 for chorus and orchestra by Alexander Goehr (47) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
November 20, 1980:
Sinfonia op.42 for chamber orchestra by Alexander Goehr (48) is performed for the first time, in London.
September 17, 1981:
Deux études op.43 for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (49) is performed for the first time, in Glasgow.
February 9, 1982:
Behold the Sun, a concert aria for soprano, vibraphone, and chamber orchestra op.44a by Alexander Goehr (49) to words of McGrath, is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
April 19, 1985:
Behold the Sun, an opera by Alexander Goehr (52) to words of McGrath and the composer, is performed for the first time, in Duisburg.
August 19, 1985:
...a musical offering (J.S.B. 1985) op.46 for 14 players by Alexander Goehr (52) is performed for the first time, in Edinburgh.
January 13, 1987:
Symphony with Chaconne op.48 for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (54) is performed for the first time, in Free Trade Hall, Manchester.
June 29, 1987:
Two Imitations of Baudelaire op.47 for chorus by Alexander Goehr (54) to words of Robert Lowell is performed for the first time, in St. John’s, Smith Square, London.
June 15, 1988:
The revised version of the String Quartet no.1 op.5 by Alexander Goehr (55) is performed for the first time, in London. The work was originally performed in 1959.
March 14, 1989:
Eve Dreams of Paradise op.49 for mezzo-soprano, tenor, and orchestra by Alexander Goehr (56) to words of Milton is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, Birmingham.
November 11, 1989:
At the 92nd Street Y, New York, Peter Serkin plays a program of eleven premieres of works for piano he commissioned. Included are Interlude I for by Leon Kirchner (70), Feurklavier by Luciano Berio (64), Piano Piece by Hans Werner Henze (63), Les Yeux clos II by Toru Takemitsu (59), the first piece from ...in real time op.50 by Alexander Goehr (57), and My Song by Bright Sheng (33).
December 24, 1989:
Carol for St. Steven for chorus by Alexander Goehr (57) is performed for the first time, at King’s College, Cambridge.
June 23, 1990:
Sing, Ariel for mezzo-soprano, two sopranos, tenor saxophone, trumpet, piano, violin, and double bass by Alexander Goehr (57) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.
October 8, 1990:
String Quartet no.4 “In Memoriam John Ogdon” op.52 by Alexander Goehr (58) is performed for the first time, at the University of Iowa.
March 15, 1991:
The fifth piece from ...in real time op.50 for piano by Alexander Goehr (57) is performed for the first time, at Harewood House, Leeds.
March 27, 1992:
In Theresienstadt for mezzo-soprano and piano by Alexander Goehr (59) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC Radio 3, 30 years after it was composed.
April 12, 1992:
The Mouse Metamorphosed into a Maid op.54 for unaccompanied voice by Alexander Goehr (59) to words of Moore after LaFontaine, is performed for the first time, at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
May 22, 1992:
The second, third, and fourth pieces from ...in real time op.50 for piano by Alexander Goehr (57) is performed for the first time, at the University of Southampton.
July 31, 1992:
The Death of Moses op.53, an oratorio for vocal soloists, chorus, children’s chorus, and 13 players by Alexander Goehr (58) to words of Hollander, is performed for the first time, in Seville Cathedral.
April 15, 1993:
Colossos or Panic op.55, a symphonic fragment after Goya for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (60), is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
May 14, 1993:
I said, I will take heed for chorus and winds op.56 by Alexander Goehr (60) to words of Psalm 39 is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
November 6, 1993:
Cambridge Hocket op.57 for four horns and orchestra by Alexander Goehr (61) is performed for the first time, in Cambridge.
November 23, 1993:
Variations on Bach’s Sarabande from the English Suite in e minor for winds and timpani by Alexander Goehr (61) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul’s Hall, Huddersfield.
July 9, 1994:
Still Lands for small orchestra by Alexander Goehr (61) is performed completely for the first time, in Peterborough Cathedral.
September 15, 1995:
Arianna, an opera by Alexander Goehr (63) to words of Rinucinni, is performed for the first time, in Covent Garden, London.
May 2, 1996:
Uninterrupted Movement op.59 for solo cello, four cellos, and other instruments by Alexander Goehr (63) is performed for the first time, at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.
July 14, 1996:
Three Songs op.60 for voice, clarinet in A, and viola by Alexander Goehr (63) to words of Frazer after Ovid, is performed for the first time, in the Almeida Theatre, London.
February 6, 1997:
Quintet “Five Objects Darkly” op.62 for bass clarinet, horn, violin, viola, and piano by Alexander Goehr (64) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
June 21, 1997:
Schlussgesang for viola and orchestra op.61 by Alexander Goehr (64) is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.
December 10, 1997:
Arianna abbandonata op.58c for tenor and guitar by Alexander Goehr (66) to words of Rinuccini is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC Radio 3. See 14 November 1998.
December 13, 1997:
Idées fixes op.63 for 13 players by Alexander Goehr (65) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
November 14, 1998:
Arianna abbandonata op.58c for tenor and guitar by Alexander Goehr (66) to words of Rinuccini is performed for the first time before a live audience, at United Reform Church, Muswell Hill, London. See 10 December 1997.
December 10, 1998:
‘kein Gedanke, nur ruhiger Schlaf’ op.65 for chamber ensemble by Alexander Goehr (66) is performed for the first time, in the CBSO Centre, Birmingham. It is an arrangement by the composer of part of his Schlussgesang op.61 in honor of Olivier Messiaen (†6) on the 90th anniversary of his birth.
January 24, 1999:
Duos op.66, one for violin and viola and one for two violins by Alexander Goehr (66) are performed for the first time, in the Wiener Saal, Mozarteum, Salzburg.
May 25, 1999:
Sur terre, en l’air op.64 for viola and piano by Alexander Goehr (66) is performed for the first time, in the Rokokotheater, Schwetzingen.
September 19, 1999:
Kantan and Damask Drum, an opera by Alexander Goehr (67) to his own words after Zeami and Koto, is performed for the first time, in Dortmund.
July 1, 2000:
Three Sonnets and Two Fantasias for countertenor and viols by Alexander Goehr (67) is performed for the first time, in Pitville Pump Room, Cheltenham.
April 25, 2001:
Suite for violin and piano op.70 by Alexander Goehr (68) is performed for the first time, at Harvard University.
June 16, 2001:
Overture with Handelian Air for orchestra, from ...second musical offering by Alexander Goehr (68) is performed for the first time, in Halle. See 10 September 2001.
September 10, 2001:
...second musical offering for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (69) is performed completely for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London. See 16 June 2001.
March 27, 2002:
...around Stravinsky op.72 for violin, oboe, english horn, clarinet in A, and bassoon by Alexander Goehr (69) is performed for the first time, in the Purcell Room, London.
May 25, 2002:
Two works are performed for the first time, in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge: Economies of Scale for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (67), and Symmetry disorders reach op.73 for piano by Alexander Goehr (69).
June 8, 2002:
Piano Quintet op.69 by Alexander Goehr (69) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.
June 12, 2002:
Four new works are performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London: Au Quai for orchestra by Elliott Carter (93), Two Notes for Ollie op.74 for eleven players by Alexander Goehr (69), A Very Sharp Trumpet for trumpet by Louis Andriessen (61), and Bubo bubo for chamber ensemble by Magnus Lindberg (43).
May 22, 2003:
Marching to Carcassonne for piano and twelve instruments by Alexander Goehr (70) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. Also premiered in Goehr’s 2 notes only for Ollie for eleven players.
September 16, 2003:
Ariel, Sing for flute by Alexander Goehr (71) is performed for the first time, in London.
March 1, 2004:
Adagio (Selbstbildnis) for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (71) is performed for the first time, in the Rosengarten, Mannheim.
July 2, 2005:
Fantasie for cello and piano by Alexander Goehr (72) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln, Great Britain.
July 5, 2005:
Marching to Carcassonne for piano and chamber orchestra by Alexander Goehr (72) is performed for the first time, in the National Arts Center, Ottawa.
March 4, 2007:
Duos for two violins by Alexander Goehr (74) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
May 12, 2007:
Broken Lute for violin by Alexander Goehr (74) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR, originating in Cologne.
November 4, 2007:
Two songs for voice and piano by Alexander Goehr (75) are performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London: Dark Days to words of Hesiod and Homer and Ulysses’ admonition to Achilles. Also premiered is Goehr’s Almost a Fugue for two pianos.
March 12, 2008:
Quintet for clarinet and strings by Alexander Goehr (75) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
April 29, 2008:
Broken Lute for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (75) is performed for the first time, at Birmingham Town Hall.
July 10, 2008:
Since Brass, nor Stone… for string quartet and percussion by Alexander Goehr (75) is performed for the first time, in St. Andrew, Holborn, London.
October 15, 2008:
manere for clarinet and violin by Alexander Goehr (76) is performed for the first time, in the Hochschule für Musik Saar, Saarbrücken.
November 2, 2008:
Overture by Alexander Goehr (76) is performed for the first time, in Glyndebourne.
November 22, 2009:
Broken Psalm for chorus and organ by Alexander Goehr (77) is performed for the first time, in the chapel of St. John’s College, Cambridge.
June 9, 2010:
Tower Music for baritone, two clarinets, brass, and strings by Alexander Goehr (77), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in Manchester.
June 17, 2010:
from Shadow of Night for counter tenor and viol consort by Alexander Goehr (77) is performed for the first time, in Kings Place, London.
June 30, 2010:
Hymn to Night for viola and piano by Alexander Goehr (77) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
October 9, 2010:
Promised End, an opera by Alexander Goehr (78) to words of Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House, London.
January 13, 2011:
When Adam Fell for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (78) is performed for the first time, in Barbican Hall, London.
January 13, 2012:
When Adam Fell/Durch Adams Fall for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (79) is performed for the first time, in Barbican Hall, London.
February 29, 2012:
Cities and Thrones and Powers, a choral song with keyboard by Alexander Goehr (79), is performed for the first time, at Kings College, Cambridge.
June 30, 2012:
Pomfret. The Dungeon of the Castle for voice and piano by Alexander Goehr (79) is performed for the first time, in Bad Kissingen.
July 5, 2012:
Largo Siciliano for violin, horn, and piano by Alexander Goehr (79) is performed for the first time, in Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham.
September 30, 2012:
To These Dark Steps/The Fathers are Watching for tenor, children’s choir, and ensemble by Alexander Goehr (80) is performed for the first time, in the CBSO Center, Birmingham, UK.
May 28, 2014:
…between the Lines/…zwischen den zeilen, a chamber symphony for eleven players by Alexander Goehr (81), is performed for the first time, in the Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal, Berlin.
July 19, 2015:
Variations (Homage to Haydn) for piano by Alexander Goehr (82) is performed for the first time, in St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe.
August 17, 2015:
Seven Impromptus for two pianos by Alexander Goehr (83) is performed for the first time, in Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
January 22, 2016:
Vanishing Word for mezzo-soprano, tenor, and eight players by Alexander Goehr (83) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre of the Juilliard School, New York.
October 13, 2016:
Two Sarabandes for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (84) are performed for the first time, in Heinrich-Lades-Halle, Erlangen.
November 25, 2016:
manere II for clarinet and horn by Alexander Goehr (84) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.