July 27, 1867:
05:00 Pantaleón Enrique Joaquín Granados y Campiña is born in carrer del Marqués de Tallada, 1, Lleida (Lérida), Kingdom of Spain, 130 km west of Barcelona, the third of five children born to Calixto José de la Trinidad Granados y Armenteros, a captain in the Spanish army, and Enriqueta Elvira Campiña, the daughter of a prominent businessman.
July 29, 1867:
Two days after his birth, Pantaleón Enrique Joaquín Granados y Campiña is baptized in the main Cathedral of Lleida (Lérida), 130 km west of Barcelona.
July 2, 1870:
The family of Enrique Granados (2) departs from Cádiz for Tenerife in the Canary Islands. His father is appointed the military commander of the island.
April 9, 1886:
Enrique Granados (18) makes his first public appearance as pianist at the Barcelona Athenaeum in a concert by students of Joan Baptista Pujol.
May 24, 1888:
In a concert of Conservatoire students at the Salle Erard, Ricardo Viñes and Enrique Granados (20) play the Rondo op.73 of Frédéric Chopin (†40).
July 14, 1889:
After two years of study at the Paris Conservatoire, Enrique Granados (21) returns to Barcelona.
April 20, 1890:
Enrique Granados (22) makes his official debut at Barcelona’s Teatre Líric, premiering Arabesca, selections from Danzas españolas, and Serenata española. He also plays music of Saint-Saëns (54), Bizet (†14), Mendelssohn (†42), Chopin (†40), Beethoven (†63), Mozart (†98), and Schubert (†61). The critics are enthusiastic about his compositions and his playing.
December 7, 1892:
Pantaleón Enrique Joaquín Granados y Campiña (25) marries María de los Desamparados (Amparo) Gal y Lloveras in the Church of San Pedro de las Puellas, Barcelona. She is the daughter of a wealthy businessman
February 15, 1895:
Three chamber works by Enrique Granados (27) are performed for the first time, in Madrid, the composer at the keyboard in each: Piano Quintet in g, Trio for violin, cello, and piano, and Valses poéticos.
November 9, 1897:
Enrique Granados (30) appears with the new Philharmonic Society as pianist at the Sala Estela, Barcelona. He will make more than 25 appearances with them. He performs the Beethoven (†70) Trio op.70/1 with Mathieu Crickboom, violin and Pablo Casals (21), cello.
October 28, 1898:
Danza aragonesa, the second of the Deux danses caractéristiques for piano by Enrique Granados (31), is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.
November 12, 1898:
Maria del Carmen, a zarzuela by Enrique Granados (31) to words of Feliu y Codina, is performed for the first time, in Teatro de Parish, Madrid. The music receives a good response, the words are panned. It is Granados’ first significant success.
January 9, 1899:
The Spanish regent María Cristina confers on Enrique Granados (31) the Cross of Carlos III.
January 30, 1899:
Blancaflor, a lyric drama by Enrique Granados (31) to words of Gual, is performed for the first time, in the Teatre Liric, Barcelona.
October 31, 1899:
Two works for orchestra by Enrique Granados (32) are performed for the first time, in Barcelona: Marcha de los vencidos and Suite on Gallician Themes.
May 15, 1900:
Today marks the first concert of the Society of Classical Concerts at the Teatre Liric in Barcelona. This is a subscription series founded by Enrique Granados (32) to promote symphonic and chamber music in the city. Granados conducts the inaugural performance. Both the concert and the project are warmly received by the press and public.
December 9, 1900:
Today marks the final concert of the Society of Classical Concerts in Barcelona, a project founded by Enrique Granados (33) to promote symphonic and chamber music in the city. Finances are not the cause of the society’s demise, but the exact reason is not known.
February 23, 1901:
Picarol, a zarzuela with words by Mestres and music by Enrique Granados (33), is performed for the first time, at the Teatre Líric Català, Barcelona. It enjoys a good success.
February 13, 1902:
The Musical Association of Barcelona sponsors a concert at the Sala Chaissagne of original songs in Catalan. Among the several composers represented is Enrique Granados (34). His La boira for voice and piano is heard for the first time.
April 4, 1903:
A zarzuela by Enrique Granados (35), Follet, to words of Mestres, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting at the Liceu, Barcelona. Some critics are positive but it is a failure.
June 21, 1903:
Melodía for violin and piano by Enrique Granados (35) is performed for the first time, at the Teatre de Catalunya, Barcelona.
November 20, 1904:
Escenas románticas for piano by Enrique Granados (37) is performed for the first time.
March 31, 1905:
Enrique Granados (37) makes his first Paris appearance as a mature artist at the Salle Pleyel.
May 15, 1905:
Allegro de concierto for piano by Manuel de Falla (28) is performed for the first time, in the Madrid Ateneo by the composer. It was entered in a composition competition sponsored by the Madrid Conservatory of Music. The competition was won by Enrique Granados (37). Falla received honorable mention.
October 27, 1906:
The poema Gaziel, by Enrique Granados (39) to words of Mestres, is performed for the first time, at the Principal, Barcelona. It is fairly successful. The composer is called to the stage after the second tableau.
March 11, 1911:
New works by Enrique Granados (43) are performed for the first time, in the Palau de Musica Catalana, Barcelona by the composer: the piano suite Goyescas (public premiere), Cant de les estrelles for piano, organ, and chorus, to words of Heine translated into Catalan, and Azulejos for piano by Isaac Albéniz (†1) finished by Granados.
June 22, 1911:
L’ocell profeta for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (43) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.
July 9, 1911:
Liliana, a poema by Enrique Granados (43) to words of Mestres, is performed for the first time, in Barcelona. It is a success and the composer is praised in the press.
July 7, 1912:
Elisenda for piano, voice, harp, string quintet, flute, oboe, and clarinet by Enrique Granados (44) to words of Mestres is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.
March 23, 1913:
Bocetos: Colección de obras fáciles for piano by Enrique Granados (45) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona. Also premiered is Granados’ En el jardin from Libro de horas for piano.
September 1, 1913:
Enrique Granados (46) signs a two-year contract with the New York publisher Rudolph Schirmer.
March 29, 1914:
El pelele for piano by Enrique Granados (46) is performed for the first time, in Terrassa, Spain by the composer.
April 4, 1914:
Enrique Granados (46) performs his piano suite Goyescas in a very successful all-Granados concert at the Salle Pleyel, Paris. His Serenade for two violins and piano is performed for the first time, Granados at the keyboard. For this performance he is awarded the Medal of the Legion of Honor.
June 10, 1914:
Two songs for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (46) are performed for the first time in a semi-private performance at the Granados Academy, Barcelona: Elegia eterna to words of Mestres, and Tonadillas en estilo antiguo for voice and piano. See 27 June 1914.
June 27, 1914:
Tonadillas en estilo antiguo for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (46) is performed publicly for the first time, in Barcelona.
April 5, 1915:
Selections from Canciones amatorias for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (47) are performed for the first time, in Barcelona.
May 2, 1915:
Two works for cello and piano by Enrique Granados (47) are performed for the first time, in Barcelona: Madrigal and Trova.
May 8, 1915:
Danza lenta for piano by Enrique Granados (47) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.
May 31, 1915:
Navidad for double quintet of winds, strings, and piano by Enrique Granados (47) is performed for the first time, in Madrid.
July 3, 1915:
Jacques Rouché, who holds the rights of first performance of Enrique Granados’ (47) opera Goyescas for the Académie Nationale de Musique et de Danse, Paris, writes to the composer, relinquishing his rights. Due to the war, a production in Paris seems unlikely. Granados has received an offer to put on the work in New York.
October 31, 1915:
Marche militaire for piano by Enrique Granados (48) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.
November 14, 1915:
Enrique Granados (48) plays what will prove to be his final public performance at his home in Barcelona. He plays the a minor piano concerto of Edvard Grieg (†8).
November 30, 1915:
Enrique Granados (48) and his wife board the Montevideo in Cádiz for a trip to the United States to premiere Goyescas at the Metropolitan Opera. The ship is stopped and searched for seven hours by a French warship looking for German spies. It will also be searched for five hours by a British warship.
December 15, 1915:
Enrique Granados (48) and his wife arrive in New York after a rough Atlantic crossing during which the ship was searched twice.
January 19, 1916:
The Hispanic Society of America makes Enrique Granados (48) a member, presenting him with a silver medal.
January 23, 1916:
Enrique Granados (48) and Pablo Casals give a performance at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New York. Granados plays music from his soon-to-be-performed opera Goyescas.
January 28, 1916:
Goyescas, an opera by Enrique Granados (48) to words of Periquet y Zuaznabar, is performed for the first time, at the Metropolitan Opera, New York. The work receives an enthusiastic reception, “ecstatic applause” and Granados is praised by the critics. But Goyescas receives only five performances in New York and will be dropped. The libretto is faulted.
February 10, 1916:
Tango of the Green Eyes for piano by Enrique Granados (48) is performed for the first time, in New York.
March 7, 1916:
At a gala event at the White House, Enrique Granados (48) performs before President and Mrs. Wilson.
March 8, 1916:
Enrique Granados (48) performs at a lunch at the home of the Spanish ambassador in Washington.
March 11, 1916:
Enrique Granados (48) and his wife Amparo board the SS Rotterdam in New York, making for Rotterdam.
March 19, 1916:
The SS Rotterdam arrives off Falmouth, England and disembarks 371 passengers, including Enrique Granados (48) and his wife.
March 24, 1916:
Enrique Granados and his wife board the British mail boat SS Sussex for the channel crossing at Folkestone. It sails at 13:25 with 325 passengers and 53 crew making for Dieppe. At 15:00 the boat is torpedoed by German submarine UB-29. A panicked telegraph operator gives the wrong location. Witnesses report seeing Sra. Granados in the water and the composer jumping from a lifeboat to save her. The ship does not sink and 138 passengers are saved but 50 are lost including Granados and his wife. International pressure will force Germany to pay an indemnity of 666,000 pesetas to their children and issue an official apology. Granados was aged 48 years, seven months, and 26 days.
April 15, 1916:
A concert in Madrid to benefit the children of Enrique Granados (†0) is attended by Infanta Isabella.
May 7, 1916:
A memorial concert for Enrique Granados (†0) is given at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York conducted by Walter Damrosch. The Beethoven (†89) Trio in B flat is played by Ignacy Paderewski, Fritz Kreisler, and Pablo Casals. Singers include Maria Barrientos, Julia Culp, and John McCormack. Granados’ Dolora en la meno for voice and piano is performed for the first time. Casals will remember that “toward the end of the concert all the lights were turned out. A candle was placed on the piano. Then, with that solitary flame flickering on the stage in the great hall, Paderewski played Chopin’s Funeral March.”
May 30, 1916:
A concert of the works of Erik Satie (50) and Enrique Granados (†0) takes place at the Paris home of Mme Germaine Bongard, 5 rue de Penthièvre, “for the benefit of artists affected by the War.” Satie premieres his Avant-dernières pensées. The printed program is illustrated by Matisse and Picasso. Satie’s Trois Mélodies, to words of Fargue, Godebska, and Chalupt, are performed completely for the first time. See 18 April 1916.