March 15, 1926:
Benjamin Burwell Johnston, Jr. is born in Macon, Georgia, USA, the first of two children born to Benjamin Burwell Johnston, Sr., a journalist, and Janet Ross.
January 30, 1944:
During his freshman year at the College of William and Mary, a concert of the works of Ben Johnston (17) is organized by some of the faculty. Music performed includes the piano works Fugue in d minor, Scherzo in b minor, and Rondo in D, also Sonata for clarinet and piano, Theme and Variations and Ballade in E for violin and piano, Concerto in E for two pianos and the songs Homeward and The Voice of Autumn for soprano and piano.
May 7, 1950:
somewhere i have never trampled for voice and piano by Ben Johnston (24) to words of ee cummings is performed for the first time, at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Also premiered is Johnston’s Le Gout de Néant for voice and piano to words of Beaudelaire.
January 10, 1951:
Incidental music to Leach’s play The Wooden Bird by Harry Partch (49) and Ben Johnston (24) is performed for the first time, in Charlottesville, Virginia. The music was recorded last 8 November by Partch and Johnston for this performance.
April 2, 1952:
Incidental music to Gregor’s play Fire by Ben Johnston (26) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
March 5, 1953:
Concerto for percussion by Ben Johnston (26) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
April 30, 1954:
Incidental music to Anouilh’s play Ring Around the Moon by Ben Johnston (28) is performed for the first time.
March 14, 1955:
Night for baritone, female chorus, and chamber ensemble by Ben Johnston to words of Robinson Jeffers is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, on the eve of the composer’s 29th birthday.
February 27, 1958:
St. Joan for piano by Ben Johnston (31) is performed for the first time.
March 14, 1959:
Gambit, music for dancers and orchestra by Ben Johnston is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois on the eve of the composer’s 33rd birthday.
November 28, 1959:
Three Chinese Lyrics for soprano and two violins by Ben Johnston (33) to words of Li Po (tr. Pound) is performed for the first time, at Donnell Library, New York. Also premiered is Johnston’s Nine Variations for string quartet.
March 10, 1963:
Newcastle Troppo for jazz band by Ben Johnston (36) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
December 14, 1963:
A Sea Dirge for mezzo-soprano, flute, violin, and oboe by Ben Johnston (37) to words of Shakespeare is performed for the first time, in Urbana, Illinois. Also premiered is Johnston’s Knocking Piece for two percussionists and grand piano.
March 25, 1964:
Two works by Lejaren Hiller (40) are performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana: a suite from his music to the film Time of the Heathen for chamber orchestra, and Nightmare Music for monaural tape. Also premiered is Concerto for brass for brass ensemble and timpani by Ben Johnston (38). It was performed in a version for piano four-hands in 1951.
December 21, 1965:
Duo for flute and string bass by Ben Johnston (39) is performed for the first time.
July 14, 1966:
String Quartet no.2 by Ben Johnston (40) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
March 24, 1967:
Quintet for Groups for orchestra by Ben Johnston (41) is performed for the first time, at Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis.
May 9, 1969:
CASTA* for soprano and electronic sounds by Ben Johnston (43) is performed for the first time, at the opening of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois.
May 1, 1971:
One Man for trombone and percussion by Ben Johnston (45) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
February 23, 1972:
Septet for woodwind quintet, cello, and bass by Ben Johnston (45) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
August 8, 1972:
Rose for chorus by Ben Johnston (46) to words of Sibyl Johnston is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
May 13, 1973:
Mass for chorus, eight trombones, and percussion by Ben Johnston (47) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
April 21, 1974:
String Quartet no.4 by Ben Johnston (48) is performed for the first time, at Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
October 5, 1975:
In Memory for strings, percussion, tape, and slides by Ben Johnston (49) is performed for the first time, at the dedication of Erlanger House in Urbana, Illinois.
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 21, 1978:
Two Sonnets of Shakespeare for bass-baritone or counter-tenor by Ben Johnston (52) is performed for the first time.
June 29, 1979:
Songs of Innocence for soprano and chamber ensemble by Ben Johnston (53) to words of Blake is performed for the first time.
November 14, 1982:
Sonnets of Desolation for chorus by Ben Johnston (56) to words of Gerard Manley Hopkins is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
December 16, 1983:
String Quartet no.5 by Ben Johnston (57) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
January 27, 1985:
Toccata for cello by Ben Johnston (58) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois.
October 29, 1986:
Symphony in A by Ben Johnston (60) is performed for the first time, in the First United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.