August 5, 1926:
Betsy Jolas is born in Paris, Republic of France, the first child of Eugène Jolas, poet and the founder of a literary magazine, and Maria MacDonald, a translator.
August 27, 1949:
Betsy Jolas (23) marries physician Gabriel Illouz.
June 16, 1950:
Plupart du temps, six songs for voice and piano by Betsy Jolas (23) to words of Reverdy, is performed for the first time before a live audience, in Paris. It was heard over the radio last year.
March 14, 1964:
Mots for five solo voices and eight instruments by Betsy Jolas (38) to her own words is performed for the first time, in Geneva.
February 5, 1966:
JDE for 14 instruments by Betsy Jolas (39) is performed for the first time, in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
February 25, 1966:
Dans la chaleur vacante, a “cantate radiophonique” by Betsy Jolas (39) to words of Du Bouchet, is performed for the first time.
March 23, 1966:
Quatuor II for soprano and string trio by Betsy Jolas (39) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris.
April 3, 1967:
D’un opéra de voyage for 22 instruments by Betsy Jolas (40) is performed for the first time, in Royan.
February 24, 1968:
Points d’aube for viola and 13 winds by Betsy Jolas (41) is performed for the first time, in the Maison de la Culture du Havre.
December 20, 1969:
Quatre Plages for string orchestra by Betsy Jolas (43) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of RTF.
February 15, 1971:
Lassus ricercare for ten instruments by Betsy Jolas (44) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 5, 1971:
Sonate à 12 for twelve solo voices by Betsy Jolas (44) is performed for the first time, in Royan.
April 6, 1971:
Two works by Iannis Xenakis (48) are performed for the first time, in Royan, France: Synaphaï for piano and orchestra and Charisma for clarinet and cello. Also premiered is Remember for english horn or viola and cello by Betsy Jolas (44).
December 15, 1971:
Musique d’hiver for organ and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (45) is performed for the first time, in Baden-Baden.
January 28, 1972:
Fusain for piccolo and bass flute (one player) by Betsy Jolas (45) is performed for the first time, in the Maison de Culture, Rennes.
April 20, 1973:
Autour for harpsichord by Betsy Jolas (46) is performed for the first time, in Royan.
January 5, 1974:
B for Sonata for piano by Betsy Jolas (47) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
January 7, 1974:
Quatuor III, 9 etudes for strings by Betsy Jolas (47) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
June 15, 1974:
Trois rencontres for string trio and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (47) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.
June 19, 1974:
How now for eight instruments by Betsy Jolas (47) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 7, 1974:
Voix premières, a “cantate radiophonique” by Betsy Jolas (48), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of RTF.
August 4, 1975:
Le pavillon au bord de la rivière, a chamber opera by Betsy Jolas to words of Raoul-Davis after Kuan Han Chin, is performed for the first time, in Avignon on the eve of the composer’s 49th birthday.
March 24, 1976:
Musique de jour for organ by Betsy Jolas (49) is performed for the first time, in Royan.
April 15, 1978:
Stances for piano and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (51) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
June 6, 1980:
Trois études campanaires for keyboard carillon or piano by Betsy Jolas (53) is performed for the first time, in the Church of Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois (carillon).
November 20, 1980:
Liring Ballade for baritone and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (54) to words of Eugène Jolas is performed for the first time, in Metz.
February 7, 1982:
Points d’or for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone (one player), and 15 instruments by Betsy Jolas (55) is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.
February 19, 1983:
Betsy Jolas (56) is elected to the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
June 7, 1983:
Cinq pièces pour Boulogne for 41-54 musicians by Betsy Jolas (56) is performed for the first time, at the Conservatoire de Boulogne sur Seine.
September 21, 1983:
Two works for piano by Betsy Jolas (57) are performed for the first time, in Le Havre: Calling EC (hommage à Elliott Carter (74)) and Une Journée de Gadad, suite pour enfants.
November 28, 1983:
Saint François d’Assise: scènes franciscaines, an opera by Olivier Messiaen (74) to his own words, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. Among the glittering audience are Iannis Xenakis (61) and Betsy Jolas (57). The audience is very pleased, the critics guarded. In today’s issue, Libération quotes the composer as saying, “Twilight has arrived. I have finished. I will never compose anything else.”
January 28, 1984:
Préludes-Fanfares-Interludes-Sonneries for winds and percussion by Betsy Jolas (57) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
March 20, 1984:
Figures for nine instruments by Betsy Jolas (57) is performed for the first time, in Evreux, France.
March 23, 1984:
Trois duos for tuba and piano by Betsy Jolas (57) is performed for the first time, in Lugano.
September 25, 1984:
Two new works for piano are premiered at the ISCM World Music Days in Toronto: Tango? by Conlon Nancarrow (71), and Tango si by Betsy Jolas (58).
January 17, 1985:
Episode cinquième for cello by Betsy Jolas (58) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.
June 10, 1985:
Episode sixième for viola by Betsy Jolas (58) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
July 23, 1986:
Le Cyclope, an opera by Betsy Jolas (59) after Euripides, is performed for the first time, in Avignon.
July 19, 1987:
Signets, hommage à Maurice Ravel for piano by Betsy Jolas (60) is performed for the first time, in Montpellier, France.
September 18, 1988:
Music for Joan for vibraphone and piano by Betsy Jolas (62) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
June 26, 1989:
Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Betsy Jolas (62) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York.
April 4, 1990:
Schliemann, an opera by Betsy Jolas (63) to words of Bayen and the composer, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting, in Paris. See 3 May 1995.
June 4, 1990:
Petites musiques de chevet for bass clarinet and piano by Betsy Jolas (63) is performed for the first time, in the École de musique d’Evry.
March 19, 1991:
E.A., petite suite variée for trumpet and vibraphone by Betsy Jolas (64) is performed for the first time, at Opéra Bastille, Paris.
May 14, 1991:
Trio “Les Heures” for string trio by Betsy Jolas (64) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.
February 9, 1992:
Musique pour Delphine for violin and cello by Betsy Jolas (66) is performed for the first time, in the amphitheater of the Opera of the Bastille, Paris.
March 26, 1992:
Études aperçues for vibraphone and five cowbells by Betsy Jolas (65) is performed for the first time, in a recording session in Paris. See 28 January 1995.
April 2, 1993:
Frauenleben, nine songs for alto and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (66), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France originating in Paris.
June 25, 1993:
Musique pour Xavier for clarinet, tenor saxophone, and violin by Betsy Jolas (66) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 7, 1994:
Quoth the Raven, three pieces for clarinet and piano by Betsy Jolas (67), is performed for the first time, in Chambéry.
August 6, 1994:
Music for Here for bassoon, viola, and cello by Betsy Jolas (68) is performed for the first time, in Norfolk.
January 28, 1995:
Études aperçues for vibraphone and five cowbells by Betsy Jolas (68) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France. See 26 March 1992.
February 5, 1995:
Music to Go for viola and cello by Betsy Jolas (68) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
February 16, 1995:
Quatuor V for strings by Betsy Jolas (68) is performed for the first time, in the Opéra Bastille, Paris.
May 3, 1995:
Schliemann, an opera by Betsy Jolas (68) to words of Bayen and the composer, is staged for the first time, in Lyon. See 4 April 1990.
June 21, 1995:
Calling Hélène by Betsy Jolas (68), an orchestral transcription of a scene from her opera Schliemann, is performed for the first time, in San Francisco. See 3 May 1995.
May 21, 1996:
Sigrancia Ballade for baritone and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (69) to words of du Bouchet is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
November 28, 1996:
Lumor, seven spiritual songs for a saxophonist (soprano and tenor) and orchestra, by Betsy Jolas (70), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France originating in Paris.
March 27, 1997:
Petite symphonie concertante for violin and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (70) is performed for the first time, in the Grand Théâtre de Besançon.
April 25, 1997:
Perriault le déluné for twelve voices by Betsy Jolas (70) to words of Illouz is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.
June 20, 1997:
Petite sonnerie de juin for horn, trumpet, and trombone by Betsy Jolas (71) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 22, 1997:
Quatuor VI “avec clarinette” for clarinet and string trio by Betsy Jolas (71) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
December 31, 1997:
Betsy Jolas (71) is named a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur.
May 11, 1998:
New works for eight cellos are performed for the first time, in Beauvais: Korót by Luciano Berio (72), Sonata à 8 by Betsy Jolas (71), and Neiges by Kaija Saariaho (45). See 22 May 2005.
October 30, 1998:
Für Celia affettuoso for six voices by Betsy Jolas (72) to her own words is performed for the first time, in la Cité des Arts, Paris.
March 28, 1999:
Motet III “Hunc igitur terrorem” for chorus and baroque orchestra by Betsy Jolas (73) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
March 28, 2000:
Trio sopra “et sola facta” for clarinet, violin, and piano by Betsy Jolas (73) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
May 5, 2008:
Pueri apud magistros exercentur for two alto saxophones by Betsy Jolas (81) is performed for the first time, in Nancy
October 30, 2008:
Teletalks for two pianos by Betsy Jolas (82) is performed for the first time, at Harvard University.
November 16, 2008:
Leçons du petit jour, Hommage à Messiaen for organ by Betsy Jolas (82) is performed for the first time, in Église St. Agricol, Avignon.
March 19, 2009:
Ah! Haydn for piano trio by Betsy Jolas (82) is performed for the first time, in the Auditorium du Louvre, Paris.
July 3, 2009:
Morning Thoughts for marimba by Betsy Jolas (82) is performed for the first time, in Appleton, Wisconsin.
March 29, 2010:
Contre-Allées by Betsy Jolas (83) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
March 14, 2011:
Frauenliebe for viola and piano by Betsy Jolas (84) is performed for the first time, at Teatro La Fenice, Venice.
August 2, 2015:
Rambles thru 44, The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain for speaker, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and harp by Betsy Jolas (88) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
April 1, 2016:
Histoires Vraies for trumpet, piano, and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (89) is performed for the first time, in Monte Carlo.
June 16, 2016:
A Little Summer Suite for orchestra by Betsy Jolas (89) is performed for the first time, in the Philharmonie, Berlin.
July 15, 2016:
Well Met Suite for strings by Betsy Jolas (89) is performed for the first time, in Saint Cézaire.
September 18, 2018:
Quatour VII (Afterthoughts) for trumpet, violin, viola, and cello by Betsy Jolas (92) is performed for the first time, in the Palladium, Malmö.
October 18, 2018:
Side Roads for cello and strings by Betsy Jolas (92) is performed for the first time, in Örebro Concert Hall, Örebro, Sweden.