September 4, 1892:
Darius Milhaud is born in 1 place Félix-Baretin in Marseille, Republic of France, the only child of Gabriel Milhaud, an almond merchant, and Sophie Allatani, from a wealthy Modena family.
May 3, 1913:
Violin Sonata no.1 op.3 and the String Quartet no.1 by Darius Milhaud (20) is performed for the first time, in Paris. The composer plays first violin.
December 21, 1913:
Trois poèmes romantiques op.11 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (21) is performed for the first time, in Aix-en-Provence.
March 23, 1914:
Suite for piano op.8 by Darius Milhaud (21) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.
May 26, 1914:
Première suite symphonique op.12 by Darius Milhaud (21) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 15, 1915:
String Quartet no.2 by Darius Milhaud (22) is performed for the first time, in Paris. The composer plays violin.
May 22, 1915:
Quatre poèmes do Léo Latil op.20 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (22) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 27, 1915:
Sonata for two violins and piano op.15 by Darius Milhaud (22) is performed for the first time, in Salle des agriculteurs, Paris. The composer plays one of the violin parts. Also premiered are two works by Charles Koechlin (47), the composer at the keyboard: La jeune Tarentine op.23/1 for voice and piano to words of André Chénier, and Sonata for viola and piano op.53. The viola soloist is Darius Milhaud (22).
September 27, 1915:
World War I: Second Lieutenant John Kipling, only son of Rudyard Kipling, is mortally wounded at Loos.
The Italian battleship Benedetto Brin is destroyed by a massive explosion, caused by Austro-Hungarian saboteurs, in the harbor of Brindisi. 454 crewmen are killed, including Rear-Admiral Rubin de Cervin. 387 survive.
Sergeant Léo Latil of the French 67th Infantry, a budding poet, is killed in action in Champagne. At that moment, his good friend Darius Milhaud (23) is crossing the Place de Villiers and feels a sharp pain and thinks of Léo. Milhaud will dedicate his String Quartet no.3 to the memory of Léo Latil.
December 5, 1915:
Poème sur un cantique de Camargue op.13 for voice and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (23) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
February 10, 1916:
Trois poèmes en prose de Lucile de Chateaubriand op.10 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (23) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
July 18, 1916:
Trois poèmes op.37 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (23) to words of Maynell and Rosetti, is performed for the first time, in Salle d’Antin, Paris.
February 1, 1917:
Paul Claudel arrives in Rio de Janeiro as the minister of France to Brazil. He has brought with him Darius Milhaud (24). Milhaud will remain two years in Brazil and become good friends with Heitor Villa-Lobos (29).
August 11, 1918:
Symphonie de chambre no.1 for chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (25) is performed for the first time, in Rio de Janeiro.
November 23, 1918:
Darius Milhaud (26) leaves Brazil after almost two years working in the French embassy. He is returning to France via the West Indies and New York.
January 19, 1919:
At a social gathering in New York, Charles T. Griffes (34) meets Darius Milhaud (26) who is on his way from Brazil to France. The two hit it off and agree to meet again in a few days.
February 1, 1919:
Charles T. Griffes (34) and Darius Milhaud (26) spend an afternoon together in New York. They become friends and exchange music.
February 14, 1919:
Darius Milhaud (26) arrives in France from Brazil via the West Indies and New York.
March 9, 1919:
Symphony no.2 op.49 by Darius Milhaud (26) is performed for the first time, in the Salle des Agriculteurs, Paris.
March 30, 1919:
Chanson bas op.44, a cycle for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (26) to words of Mallarmé, is performed for the first time, at Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. Also premiered is Milhaud’s Trois poèmes de Léo Latil op.2 for voice and piano.
April 5, 1919:
A concert in the Salle Huyghens, Paris features all six of “les nouveaux Jeunes” for the first time. Premiered is the String Quartet no.4 by Darius Milhaud (26) and Sonata for two clarinets by Francis Poulenc (20).
May 15, 1919:
Deux poèmes tupis op.52 for women’s voices and handclaps by Darius Milhaud (26) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Vieux Colombier, Paris.
June 15, 1919:
Incidental music to Claudel’s (after Aeschylus) play Les Choëphores, by Darius Milhaud (26) is performed for the first time, in a concert setting, in Paris. See 27 March 1935.
June 24, 1919:
Les soirées de Petrograde op.55, a cycle for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (26) to words of Chalupt, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 19, 1919:
The first international presentation of the music of Les Nouveaux Jeunes takes place at the Institut des hautes Etudes de Belgique in Brussels. Works by Erik Satie (63), Louis Durey, Georges Auric, Arthur Honegger (27), Darius Milhaud (27), Francis Poulenc (20), and Germaine Tailleferre are performed. A conference on new music accompanies the concert.
January 8, 1920:
A meeting takes place in an apartment in the rue Gaillard, Paris at the invitation of the apartment’s occupant, Darius Milhaud (27). It brings together several music critics and six young composers: Milhaud, Arthur Honegger (27), Francis Poulenc (21), Louis Durey, Georges Auric and Germaine Tailleferre. They spend the afternoon and evening talking about and listening to the new music. This sees the first performance of Honegger’s Violin Sonata no.2 played by the composer and his future wife, Andrée Vaurabourg. See 28 February 1920.
January 10, 1920:
Poèmes juifs op.34, a cycle for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (27), is performed for the first time, in Paris, the composer at the keyboard.
January 16, 1920:
Henri Collet publishes his article “Un livre de Rimsky et un livre de Cocteau--Les Cinqs Russes, les Six Français et Erik Satie (53),” in Comoedia. This begins the history of that unlikely combination of six French composers called “Les Six”: Arthur Honegger (27), Darius Milhaud (27), Germaine Tailleferre, Louis Durey, Francis Poulenc (20) and Georges Auric.
February 21, 1920:
At a concert organized by Jean Cocteau at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées, the following works are performed for the first time: Le boeuf sur le toit, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (27), Sonata for piano duet and Cocardes, a cycle for solo voice, cornet, trombone, bass drum, triangle, and violin, both by Francis Poulenc (21) (the latter to words of Cocteau), and Trois petites pièces montées by Erik Satie (53).
March 6, 1920:
At a dinner party in Paris paid for by François Bernouard, the periodical Le Coq is launched. It is an idea of Jean Cocteau and Les Six: Francis Poulenc (21), Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger (25), Darius Milhaud (27), and Germaine Tailleferre. Only four issues will be produced.
March 8, 1920:
During an intermission of a play by Max Jacob in the Galéries Barbezanges, Paris, the audience is informed that “furnishing music” (musique d’ameublement) will be played and that they should act as if it does not exist. The music is a collection of well-known symphonic and operatic tunes played by piano, three clarinets, and trombone under the supervision of Erik Satie (53) and Darius Milhaud (27). As the audience takes their seats to listen to the music, Satie goes through the hall encouraging everyone to go on talking, keep moving, and not listen to the music.
March 11, 1920:
Machines agricoles op.56, a cycle for voice and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (27), is performed for the first time, in Paris.
October 24, 1920:
Deuxième suite symphonique op.57 by Darius Milhaud (28) is performed for the first time, in Paris. A riot takes place between supporters and detractors as a result of the music. Police arrive and physically eject at least one critic while providing protection for the composer. Milhaud will remember, “this genuine, spontaneous, violent reaction filled me with boundless confidence...enthusiasm, or vehement protests, are a proof that your work is alive.”
November 1, 1920:
La Revue Musicale begins publication in Paris. In it, a review of the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos (33) appears, written by Darius Milhaud (28). It is the first notice of the music of Villa-Lobos in a European periodical.
November 21, 1920:
Two works for piano, Printemps (II) and Saudades do Brasil, by Darius Milhaud (28) are performed for the first time, in Gallerie Montainge, Paris.
December 14, 1920:
Sérénade for orchestra op.62 by Darius Milhaud (28) is performed for the first time, in Winterthur conducted by Arthur Honegger (28).
February 12, 1921:
Sonata for piano, flute, oboe, and clarinet op.47 by Darius Milhaud (28) is performed for the first time, in Wiesbaden, the composer at the keyboard.
May 3, 1921:
Symphony no.4 for chamber ensemble op.74 by Darius Milhaud (28) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 24, 1921:
New stage works are performed in the Théâtre des Mathurins, Paris: Le Gendarme incompris, a comédie-bouffe by Frencis Poulenc (22) to words of Cocteau and Radiguet, and Le Piège de Méduse, a lyric comedy by Erik Satie (55) to his own words, conducted by Darius Milhaud (28). Satie tries to have the performance stopped. The actor Pierre Bertin is doing a too real impersonation of Satie.
June 6, 1921:
L’homme et son desir, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (28) after Claudel, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.
June 15, 1921:
Darius Milhaud (28) publishes a review entitled “A bas Wagner” wherein he suggests that “Apart from some of his overtures, Wagner’s music should never be played in the concert hall.” He receives an avalanche of negative mail, “letters of remonstrance and insult.”
June 18, 1921:
Five members of Les Six, Arthur Honegger (29), Germaine Tailleferre, Darius Milhaud (28), Francis Poulenc (22), and Georges Auric, are brought together by Jean Cocteau, each to produce a section of the ballet Les mariés de la tour Eiffel, to his scenario. The work is produced at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Audience reactions are strongly mixed. Aaron Copland (20) is in the audience, but he remembers it as 19 June.
December 6, 1921:
Composer and pianist Jean Wiéner opens his Concerts Wiéner new music series in the Salle des Agriculteurs, Paris. He programs an hour of jazz with Billy Arnold and his band, a player piano version of Le Sacre du Printemps, and Darius Milhaud’s (29) Sonata for flute, oboe, clarinet, and piano op.47. Aaron Copland (21) is in the audience. Wiéner will recall that Maurice Ravel (46) enjoyed the performance very much but that Albert Roussel (52) walked out in protest.
December 7, 1921:
Deux petites airs op.21 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (29) to words of Mallarmé is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 10, 1921:
Symphony no.3 op.71 for chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (29) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 7, 1922:
The Quatre Poèmes for baritone, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and trumpet by Francis Poulenc to words of Jacob, is performed for the first time, in Paris under the baton of Darius Milhaud (29), on the composer’s 23rd birthday. The work will be destroyed by Poulenc.
January 10, 1922:
Quatre poèmes de Paul Claudel pour baryton op.26 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (29) is performed completely for the first time, in Paris.
April 6, 1922:
Maurice Ravel’s (47) Sonata for violin and cello is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris. Also premiered is the String Quartet no.5 by Darius Milhaud (29).
November 23, 1922:
Le retour de l’enfant prodigue op.42 for five voices and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (30) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Also premiered is Milhaud’s Trois rag caprices op.78 for piano.
June 17, 1923:
An American couple, Gerald and Sara Murphy, are so enthralled by Les Noces that they hire a barge moored in the Seine before the Chambre des Députés and throw a party in its honor. Attending (among others) are Igor Stravinsky (on his 41st birthday), Pablo Picasso, Darius Milhaud (30), Jean Cocteau, Ernest Ansermet, Sergey Diaghilev, and Germaine Tailleferre. Ansermet plays the piano while Cocteau puts on the barge captain’s uniform “and went about the barge with a lantern, putting his head in at portholes to announce the ship was sinking. At one point, Ansermet and Boris Kochno managed to take down an enormous laurel wreath bearing the inscription ‘Les Noces-Hommages’ that had been hung from the ceiling and were holding it for Stravinsky who ran the length of the room and leaped nimbly through the center.”
June 25, 1923:
El retablo de maese Pedro, a puppet opera by Manuel de Falla (46) to his own words after Cervantes, is staged for the first time, privately, at the home of Princesse Edmond de Polignac, Paris. Present is Falla’s friend, Igor Stravinsky (41) as well as Francis Poulenc (24), Darius Milhaud (30), Pablo Picasso, and Paul Valéry. The audience calls for an encore but the musicians refuse to perform it since the Princesse did not invite them to the dinner before the concert. See 23 March 1923 and 24 October 1924.
October 25, 1923:
La Création du monde, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (31) to a scenario by Cendrars, is performed for the first time, in Paris. On the same program is Cole Porter’s jazz ballet Within the Quota.
December 10, 1923:
La Brebis égarée, a roman musical by Darius Milhaud (31) is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
May 17, 1924:
Salade, a ballet chante by Darius Milhaud (31) to a scenario by Flament, is performed for the first time, in Paris. The work will be reworked into Le Carnaval d’Aix.
June 4, 1924:
The American painter Gerald Murphy and his wife invite several friends to lunch in their Paris home, including John Alden Carpenter (48) and his wife, Darius Milhaud (31), Leon Bakst, and the Princesse de Polignac. Murphy will do much to introduce Carpenter into the circles of European music making.
June 20, 1924:
Le Train bleu, an operette dansée by Darius Milhaud (31) to words of Cocteau, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
March 19, 1925:
Six chants populaires hébraïques op.86 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (32) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 4, 1925:
Darius Milhaud (32) marries his cousin Madeleine Milhaud in the synagogue of Aix-en-Provence.
July 6, 1925:
The remains of Erik Satie are buried at Cimitière d'Arcueil-Cachan in Arcueil, Val-de-Marne, attended by Charles Koechlin (57), Albert Roussel (56), Maurice Ravel (50), Arthur Honegger (33), Germaine Tailleferre, Darius Milhaud (32), Georges Auric, Jean Cocteau, and Pierre Templier (his publisher and Mayor of Arcueil). But there are far more local townsfolk on hand than celebrities. One wreath of violets carries the inscription: “To M. Satie from his fellow tenants.”
October 22, 1925:
The first concert of the New Music Society of California takes place in the ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles. Organized by Henry Cowell (28) as an offshoot of Edgard Varèse’s (41) International Composers’ Guild, its “Resident Cooperating Committee” consists of Arthur Bliss, Henry Eichheim, and Dane Rudhyar (30). The program tonight includes music of Darius Milhaud (33), Carl Ruggles (49), Varèse, Leo Ornstein, Arnold Schoenberg (51), and Rudhyar.
November 10, 1925:
String Quartet no.7 by Darius Milhaud (33) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.
May 7, 1926:
Les Malheurs d’Orphée, a chamber opera by Darius Milhaud (33) to words of Lunel, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels.
December 6, 1926:
Pièce de circonstance op.90 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (34) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 9, 1926:
Le carnaval d’Aix for piano and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (34), based on themes from the ballet Salade, is performed for the first time, in New York, the composer at the keyboard. See 17 May 1924.
January 29, 1927:
At the International Referendum Concert of the Franco-American Music Society in Town Hall, New York, the first two movements of Charles Ives' (52) Symphony no.4 are heard for the first time, causing a riot in the audience. One member of that audience, Darius Milhaud (34), there to hear his own work performed, is much taken with Ives' music and decides to have lunch with him. George Gershwin (28) is also there but his attempts to contact Ives go unanswered. This marks the first time that the music of Charles Ives is seriously considered by important critics. See 10 May 1933 and 26 April 1965.
April 16, 1927:
Incidental music to Claudel’s (after Aeschylus) play Agamemnon by Darius Milhaud (34) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
June 16, 1927:
L’éventail de Jeanne, a ballet with scenario by Franck and Bourgat, and music by Albert Roussel (58), Florent Schmitt (56), Maurice Ravel (52), Jacques Ibert (36), Roland-Manuel (36), Darius Milhaud (34), Marcel Delannoy (28), Francis Poulenc (28), Georges Auric (28), and Pierre-Octave Ferroud (27), is performed for the first time, at the home of Jeanne Dubost in Paris. See 4 March 1929.
November 27, 1927:
Incidental music to Claudel’s (after Aeschylus) play Les Euménides by Darius Milhaud (35) is performed for the first time, in Antwerp.
December 16, 1927:
Le pauvre matelot, a complainte by Darius Milhaud (35) to words of Cocteau, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.
March 3, 1928:
Prières journalières à l’usage des juifs du Comtat Venaissin op.96 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (35) is performed for the first time, in Paris the composer at the piano.
April 15, 1928:
Trois caprices de Paganini op.97 for violin and piano by Darius Milhaud (35) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.
April 20, 1928:
Two “minute operas” by Darius Milhaud (35) to words of Hoppenot are performed for the first time, in Wiesbaden: La Déliverance de Thésée and L’Abandon d’Ariane.
May 30, 1928:
Capital Capitals for four male vocal soloists and piano by Virgil Thomson (31) to words of Stein, is performed for the first time, at the Nouvelle Salle d’orgue du Conservatoire, Paris. Present are Stein and Alice B. Toklas, Nadia Boulanger (40), Darius Milhaud (35), Roy Harris (30), and Jean Cocteau. Press reactions are mixed.
July 14, 1928:
Music to the film Actualités by Darius Milhaud (35) is performed for the first time, at Baden-Baden.
November 22, 1928:
Maurice Ravel’s (53) sensually stimulating ballet Boléro is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. Also premiered is Arthur Honegger’s (36) ballet Les noces d’amour et de psyché to a scenario by Rubinstein, and Darius Milhaud’s (36) ballet La bien-aimée. See 11 January 1930.
March 4, 1929:
L’Eventail de Jeanne, a ballet to a scenario by Franck and Bourgat, and music by Albert Roussel (59), Florent Schmitt (58), Maurice Ravel (53), Jacques Ibert (38), Roland-Manuel (37), Darius Milhaud (36), Marcel Delannoy (30), Francis Poulenc (30), Georges Auric (30), and Pierre-Octave Ferroud (29) is performed publicly for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. See 16 June 1927.
December 5, 1929:
Concerto for viola and orchestra op.108 by Darius Milhaud (37) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam. The soloist is Paul Hindemith (33).
December 11, 1929:
A concert celebrating the ten years of Les Six takes place in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. Music by Georges Auric, Germaine Tailleferre, Francis Poulenc (30), Darius Milhaud (37), Louis Durey, and Arthur Honegger (37) is heard.
May 5, 1930:
Christophe Colomb, an opera by Darius Milhaud (37) to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, in the Staatsoper, Berlin. The ideas in the libretto and music will inspire one audience member, Ernst Krenek (29), to compose Karl V.
December 5, 1930:
Concerto for percussion and chamber orchestra by Darius Milhaud (38) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 5, 1932:
Maximilien, an opera by Darius Milhaud (39) to words of Werfel, Hoffman, and Lunel, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.
December 16, 1932:
Sonatine for violin and cello by Arthur Honegger (40) is performed for the first time, at the inaugural performance of Triton, a society dedicated to modern chamber music, in Paris. It was formed by Honegger, Darius Milhaud (40), Francis Poulenc (33), and Sergey Prokofiev (41).
February 4, 1933:
Devant sa main nue op.122 for female voices by Darius Milhaud (40) to words of Raval is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 13, 1933:
String Quartet no.8 by Darius Milhaud (40) is performed for the first time.
May 25, 1933:
La mort d’un tyran op.116 for chorus and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (40) to words of Lampride and Diderot is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 23, 1933:
L’annonce faite à Marie op.117 for vocal quartet and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (41) to words of Claudel is performed for the first time, in Paris. See 21 January 1934.
January 12, 1934:
Madame Bovary, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (41), is shown for the first time, in the Ciné Opéra, Paris.
January 21, 1934:
Incidental music to Claudel’s play L’annonce faite à Marie by Darius Milhaud (41) is performed for the first time, in the Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels.
June 13, 1934:
Keep that schoolgirl complexion op.139/1 for voice, flute, and piano by Charles Koechlin (66) to his own words is performed for the first time, Darius Milhaud (41) at the keyboard. See 17 January 1986.
November 23, 1934:
Piano Concerto no.1 by Darius Milhaud (42) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
March 5, 1935:
Quatre romances sans paroles op.129 for piano by Darius Milhaud (42) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Luxembourg.
March 21, 1935:
Concertino de printemps op.135 for violin and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (42) is performed for the first time, in Paris conducted by the composer.
March 27, 1935:
Incidental music to Claudel’s (after Aeschylus) play Les choëphores by Darius Milhaud (42) is staged for the first time, in Brussels.
May 10, 1935:
L’hippocampe, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (42), is shown for the first time, in Ciné Opéra, Paris.
May 21, 1935:
String Quartet no.9 by Darius Milhaud (42) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
June 28, 1935:
Concerto for cello and orchestra no.1 op.136 by Darius Milhaud (42) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
July 4, 1935:
Les amours de Ronsard op.132 for vocal quartet and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (42) is performed for the first time, in His Majesty’s Theatre, London.
November 25, 1935:
Dixième sonate de Baptiste Anet for violin and piano by Darius Milhaud (43) is performed for the first time, in Chaux de Fonds the composer at the piano.
November 30, 1935:
Incidental music to Balzac’s play La faiseur by Darius Milhaud (43) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Atelier, Paris.
February 17, 1936:
Incidental music to Lenormand’s play La folle du ciel by Darius Milhaud (43) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Mathurins, Paris.
February 28, 1936:
Incidental music to Supervielle’s play Bolivar by Darius Milhaud (43) is performed for the first time, in the Comédie Française, Paris.
May 7, 1936:
The Beloved Vagabond, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (43), is shown for the first time, in Ciné Marignan, Paris.
July 14, 1936:
Incidental music to Roland’s play Le quatorze juillet by Charles Koechlin (68), Albert Roussel (67), Jacques Ibert (45), Arthur Honegger (44), Darius Milhaud (43), Daniel Lazarus (38), and Georges Auric (37) is performed for the first time, in the Alhambra, Paris.
August 2, 1936:
Incidental music to Valmy Baisse’s play Bertran de Born by Darius Milhaud (43) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Antique, Orange.
November 5, 1936:
Pastorale for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon op.147 by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Bourges.
November 13, 1936:
Incidental music to Mistler’s play Le conquérant by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Odéon, Paris.
November 26, 1936:
Introduction et marche funèbre op.153b for band by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 9, 1936:
Fragments dramatiques op.154b for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 2, 1937:
Cantique du Rhône op.155 for mixed voices by Darius Milhaud (44) to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 4, 1937:
Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Atelier, Paris.
January 19, 1937:
Trio for clarinet, violin, and piano op.157b by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 25, 1937:
Incidental music to Obey’s play Le trompeure Seville by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Port Saint-Martin, Paris.
March 23, 1937:
Incidental music to Molière’s play Le médecin volant by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Scaramouche, Paris.
June 3, 1937:
La citadelle du silence, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (44) and Arthur Honegger (45), is released in France.
June 7, 1937:
Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Mathurins, Paris.
June 17, 1937:
Trois chansons de négresse op.148b for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
July 1, 1937:
Darius Milhaud’s (44) suite for two pianos Scaramouche is performed for the first time, at the Paris International Exposition.
July 12, 1937:
Main tendue à tous op.169 for chorus by Darius Milhaud (44) to words of Vildrac, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
August 3, 1937:
Cantate nuptiale op.168 by Darius Milhaud (44) to words from the Bible is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Marseille conducted by the composer.
September 6, 1937:
Incidental music to Euripedes’ play Hecuba by Darius Milhaud (45) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
September 12, 1937:
Suite provençal for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (45) is performed for the first time, in Venice.
October 11, 1937:
Cantate pour l’inauguration du Musée de l’Homme for vocal quartet and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (45) to words of Desnos is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Paris.
October 16, 1937:
Incidental music to Bloch’s play Naissance d’une cité by Darius Milhaud (45) is performed for the first time, in the Palais des Sports, Paris.
November 23, 1937:
Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play Macbeth by Darius Milhaud (45) is performed for the first time, in the Old Vic, London.
December 30, 1937:
The earthly remains of Maurice Ravel are interred in Cimitière de Levallois-Perret, Haute-de-Seine, beside those of his parents. Among those attending are Igor Stravinsky (55), Arthur Honegger (45), Darius Milhaud (45), Francis Poulenc (38), and Benjamin Britten (24).
January 28, 1938:
Mollenard, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (45), is shown for the first time, in Ciné Normandie, Paris.
January 30, 1938:
L’Oiseau, a choreographic poem by Darius Milhaud (45), is performed for the first time, in Paris.
February 1, 1938:
Esther de Carpentras, a comic opera by Darius Milhaud (45) to words of Lunel, is staged for the first time, in Théâtre Favart, Paris. On the same day, incidental music to Aristophanes’ play Plutus by Milhaud is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Atelier, Paris.
May 18, 1938:
Cantate de l’enfant et de la mère op.185 for speaker and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (45) to words of Carême is performed for the first time, in the Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels, conducted by the composer.
October 14, 1938:
Incidental music to Lestringuez’ play Tricolore by Darius Milhaud (46) is performed for the first time, in the Comédie Française, Paris.
June 15, 1939:
Music for Ravenne’s play Voyage au pays du rêve by Darius Milhaud (46) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France, the composer conducting.
October 7, 1939:
Médée, an opera by Darius Milhaud (47) to words of M. Milhaud is performed for the first time, in Opéra Flamand, Antwerp.
April 29, 1940:
Incidental music to Puget’s play Un petit ange de rien du tout by Darius Milhaud (47) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Michel, Paris.
June 23, 1940:
Darius Milhaud (47), in Lisbon, writes to Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge asking for help. He plans to flee to the United States and needs work.
July 15, 1940:
Darius Milhaud (47) and his wife arrive in New York aboard the Excambion from Lisbon. Milhaud has fled the Germans who undoubtedly would not approve of his ancestry. They are met at the dock by Kurt Weill (40) and Lotte Lenya.
August 4, 1940:
Le cortège funèbre for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (47) from his score to the film Espoir is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the CBS radio network conducted by the composer.
October 17, 1940:
Symphony no.1 by Darius Milhaud (48) is performed for the first time, in Chicago the composer conducting.
October 30, 1940:
String Quartet no.10 by Darius Milhaud (48) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington. He is awarded the Coolidge Medal.
December 7, 1940:
Sonatine for two violins op.221 by Darius Milhaud (48) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco. Also premiered is Milhaud’s Sonatine à trois op.221b for violin, viola, and cello.
December 27, 1940:
Le voyage d’été op.216, a cycle for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (48) to words of Paliard, is performed for the first time, in New York the composer at the piano.
March 5, 1941:
La cheminée du roi René op.205 for wind quintet by Darius Milhaud (48) is performed for the first time, at Mills College, Oakland. Also premiered is Quartet in C Major for winds by Arthur Berger (28).
April 16, 1941:
Mills Fanfare op.224 for strings by Darius Milhaud (48) is performed for the first time, in Oakland.
December 19, 1941:
Piano Concerto no.2 op.225 by Darius Milhaud (49) is performed for the first time, in Chicago the composer at the keyboard.
November 13, 1942:
Concerto for two pianos and orchestra no.1 by Darius Milhaud (50) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
December 9, 1942:
The 20th anniversary of the League of Composers is celebrated in Town Hall, New York with several first performances, including String Quartet no.11 by Darius Milhaud (50), Quintet for flute and strings by Walter Piston (48), Danzón cubano for two pianos by Aaron Copland (42) performed by the composer and Leonard Bernstein (24), and Madrigal-Sonata for flute, violin, and piano by Bohuslav Martinu (52).
December 11, 1942:
The seventh of 18 patriotic fanfares for brass and percussion commissioned by Eugene Goossens and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Fanfare de la liberté by Darius Milhaud (50), is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.
January 26, 1943:
Igor Stravinsky (60) Darius Milhaud (50) and their wives attend a performance of a ballet to Arnold Schoenberg’s (68) Verklärte Nacht called Pillar of Fire conducted by the composer in San Francisco. The two are impressed but do not make any attempt to see Schoenberg afterwards.
September 8, 1943:
Darius Milhaud (51) writes on the full-score manuscript of his opera Bolivar, “September 8, 1943. Capitulation of Italy, Thank God.”
December 6, 1943:
Opus Americanum for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (51), composed to thank the country which took him in when he was a refugee, is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
August 25, 1944:
Darius Milhaud (51) begins writing his autobiography.
October 30, 1944:
Three new ballets are performed for the first time, in the Library of Congress, Washington to celebrate the 80th birthday of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge: Jeux de printemps (six excerpts for chamber orchestra) op.243 by Darius Milhaud (52), Hérodiade, an orchestral recitation after Mallarmé by Paul Hindemith (48), and Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland (43) to a scenario by Graham. See 7 May 1945, 4 October 1945, and 11 December 1945.
March 27, 1945:
Francis Poulenc (46) writes to Darius Milhaud (52) in the United States. “The ascension of Messiaen (36) has been the most significant musical event. You will, in fact, find a fanatical sect surrounding this musician who, for all the impossible literary jargon, is nevertheless remarkable.”
April 21, 1945:
Trois petites liturgies de la Présence Divine for female chorus, piano, ondes martenot, five percussionists, and strings by Olivier Messiaen (36) to his own words is performed for the first time, in Salle de l'Ancien Conservatoire, Paris. The work is an immediate success with the public but causes a storm of protest in the press. Also premiered is Un Soir de Neige, a chamber cantata by Francis Poulenc (46) to words of Eluard, and Darius Milhaud's (52) Quatrains valaisans for chorus to words of Rilke. Poulenc finds Messiaen’s work “marvelous.”
April 22, 1945:
String Quartet no.12 by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, in the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
May 7, 1945:
Les songes op.237 for two pianos by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, at the University of Wyoming, Laramie.
May 11, 1945:
Jewish sacred works are performed for the first time, in Park Avenue Synagogue, New York: Kaddish op.250 for cantor, chorus, and organ by Darius Milhaud (52), Hashkiveinu for cantor, chorus, and organ by Leonard Bernstein (26), and excerpts from the cantata Yigdal by Stefan Wolpe (42) to words of Maimonedes.
May 30, 1945:
La muse ménagère op.245 for piano by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio-Bruxelles.
June 5, 1945:
Incantations op.201 for male chorus by Darius Milhaud (52) to Aztec poems is performed for the first time, in Oakland.
June 13, 1945:
Espoir, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (52), is released in France.
June 13, 1945:
Suite française for band by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, in New York.
June 28, 1945:
Suite française op.248 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, in New York.
July 26, 1945:
The ballet The Ivory Tower is performed for the first time, in Oakland. The music is a chamber orchestration of Darius Milhaud’s (52) La muse ménagère.
August 18, 1945:
The first two movements of the Duo for two violins op.258 by Darius Milhaud (52) are performed for the first time, privately at Alma, the home of Yehudi Menuhin in Los Gatos, California. See 27 August 1945.
August 27, 1945:
The third movement of the Duo for two violins op.258 by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, privately at the home of the composer in Oakland. See 18 August 1945.
October 21, 1945:
Cain et Abel op.241 for speaker and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (53) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in Hollywood.
November 8, 1945:
La sagesse op.141 for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (53) to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Belge.
November 16, 1945:
Suite anglaise for violin and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia. See 28 May 1947.
November 16, 1945:
Elégie op.251 for cello and piano by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
November 18, 1945:
The biblical cycle Genesis, organized by Nathaniel Shillkret, is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles. The constituent parts and their composers are: 1. Prelude-Arnold Schoenberg (71) 2. Creation-Shillkret 3. Adam and Eve-Alexandre Tansman 4. Cain and Abel-Darius Milhaud (53) 5. Noah’s Ark-Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco 6. The Covenant-Ernst Toch 7. The Tower of Babel-Igor Stravinsky (63).
December 6, 1945:
Le bal martiniquais for two pianos by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time.
December 11, 1945:
The setting for full orchestra of Darius Milhaud’s (53) ballet Jeux de printemps op.243 is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Bruxelles. See 30 October 1944.
December 12, 1945:
Deux marches op.260 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of CBS radio, originating in New York.
January 3, 1946:
Concerto for clarinet and orchestra op.230 by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time, in the Marine Barracks, Washington. The work was commissioned by Benny Goodman.
January 30, 1946:
Clarinet Concerto by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time, at the Washington Marine barracks.
April 26, 1946:
Les cloches, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (53) after Poe, is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
April 28, 1946:
Danses de Jacaremirim op.256 for violin and piano by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time, in Hollywood.
May 26, 1946:
Piano Concerto no.3 by Darius Milhaud (53) is performed for the first time, in Prague.
November 28, 1946:
Cello Concerto no.2 by Darius Milhaud (54) is performed for the first time, in New York.
November 30, 1946:
Sonata for violin and harpsichord op.257 by Darius Milhaud (54) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
December 20, 1946:
Symphony no.2 by Darius Milhaud (54) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston, the composer conducting.
February 9, 1947:
Six sonnets composés au secret op.266 for mixed voices by Darius Milhaud (54) to words of Cassou is performed for the first time, in Basel. Also premiered are the Due Studi for violin and piano by Luigi Dallapiccola (43), the composer at the keyboard.
April 22, 1947:
String Quartet no.13 by Darius Milhaud (54) is performed for the first time, in the Library of Congress, Washington.
April 25, 1947:
The Private Affairs of Bel Ami, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (54), is released in the United States.
May 16, 1947:
Cantate de la guerre op.213 for chorus by Darius Milhaud (54) to words of Claudel, is performed for the first time, at the University of Oregon, Eugene.
May 28, 1947:
Suite anglaise op.234 for harmonica and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (54) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
July 8, 1947:
Carnaval à la Nouvelle-Orléans op.275 for two pianos by Darius Milhaud (54) is performed for the first time, at Michigan State College.
October 30, 1947:
Symphony no.3 “Hymnus Ambrosianus” by Darius Milhaud (55) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 3, 1947:
Trois poèmes op.276 for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (55) to words of Supervielle is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 23, 1948:
Dreams that Money Can Buy, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (55), John Cage (35) and David Diamond (33), is released in the United States. It was shown at the Venice Film Festival last September.
May 20, 1948:
Symphony no.4 “1848” by Darius Milhaud (55) is performed for the first time, in Paris, under the baton of the composer.
May 31, 1948:
Adame miroir op.283, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (55) to a story of Genet, is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Marigny, Paris.
June 1, 1948:
Nine Preludes op.231b for organ by Darius Milhaud (55) are performed for the first time, in Paris.
September 15, 1948:
L’apothéose de Molière for chamber orchestra by Darius Milhaud (56) is performed for the first time, on Capri.
November 7, 1948:
Darius Milhaud’s (56) Violin Concerto no.2 is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 4, 1949:
Kentuckiana for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (56) is performed for the first time, in Louisville.
February 12, 1949:
Concerto for marimba, vibraphone, and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (56) is performed for the first time, in St. Louis.
May 18, 1949:
Sabbath Morning Service op.279 by Darius Milhaud (56) is performed for the first time, in Temple Emanuel, San Francisco.
July 1, 1949:
L’enfant aime for piano op.289 by Darius Milhaud (56) is performed for the first time, at the University of Wyoming, Laramie.
August 10, 1949:
String Quartet no.14, String Quartet no.15, and String Octet by Darius Milhaud (56) are performed for the first time, at Mills College, Oakland.
August 17, 1949:
Sacred Service for solo voice, speaker, chorus, and organ by Darius Milhaud (56) is performed for the first time, in Temple Emanu-El, San Francisco.
October 19, 1949:
Les rêves de Jacob op.294 for oboe, violin, viola, cello, and bass by Darius Milhaud (57) is performed for the first time, at Jacob’s Pillow, Massachusetts.
November 30, 1949:
Naissance de Venus op.292 for chorus by Darius Milhaud (57) to words of Supervielle is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
December 31, 1949:
Music for Cendrars’ play La fin du monde by Darius Milhaud (57) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France the composer conducting.
February 19, 1950:
Barba Garibo op.298 for chorus and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (57) to words of Lunel is performed for the first time, in Menton.
March 3, 1950:
Piano Concerto no.4 by Darius Milhaud (57) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
March 4, 1950:
Piano Sonata no.2 op.293 by Darius Milhaud (57) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in London.
March 14, 1950:
Music for Claudel’s play Le repos du septième jour by Darius Milhaud (57) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France originating in Paris conducted by the composer.
May 12, 1950:
Bolivar, an opera by Darius Milhaud (57) to words of M. Milhaud and Supervielle, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.
August 2, 1950:
String Quartet no.16 by Darius Milhaud (57) is performed for the first time, in the Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara.
September 14, 1950:
Suite opus300 for two pianos and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (58) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.
May 18, 1951:
Cantata from Proverbs op.310 for women’s chorus and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (58) is performed for the first time, in Lawrence High School, New York.
August 22, 1951:
String Quartet no.18 by Darius Milhaud (58) is performed for the first time, in Aspen, Colorado.
October 28, 1951:
Incidental music to Adam de la Halle’s play Le jeu de Robin et Marion by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, in the Hessiches Staats-Theater, Wiesbaden.
November 19, 1951:
Concertino d’été op.311 for viola and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, in Charleston, South Carolina.
December 19, 1951:
Concertino d’automne op.309 for two pianos and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
January 5, 1952:
West Point Suite for band op.313 by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
January 8, 1952:
Karlheinz Stockhausen (23) arrives in Paris from Hamburg. Here he will work on a commission from Donaueschingen and study with Darius Milhaud (59) and Olivier Messiaen (43).
April 10, 1952:
Le candélabre à sept branches op.315 for piano by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, in Ein-gev, Israel.
May 13, 1952:
Cantata from Proverbs for female chorus, harp, oboe, and cello by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, in Lawrence, New York.
May 17, 1952:
Quintet for piano and strings op.312 by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, at Mills College, Oakland.
May 18, 1952:
Miracles de la foi op.314 for tenor, speaker, chorus, and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (59) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
May 30, 1952:
Three new works commissioned for the sesquicentennial of the United States Military Academy Band are performed at West Point, New York: Fantasie (Enigma Variations) on a Theme by Ferdinand Kücken by Henry Cowell (55) (world premiere), West Point Suite by Darius Milhaud (59), and Symphony in One Movement by Roy Harris (54) (world premiere). See 5 January 1952.
July 8, 1952:
Second Quintet for strings op.316 by Darius Milhaud (59) is performed for the first time, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
September 25, 1952:
Petites légendes op.319, a cycle for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (60) to words of Carême, is performed for the first time, in Aspen, Colorado.
June 1, 1953:
Suite concertante op.278b for piano and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (60) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
November 15, 1953:
Third Quintet op.325 for strings by Darius Milhaud (61) is performed for the first time, at the University of California, Berkeley.
November 16, 1953:
Symphony no.5 by Darius Milhaud (61) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Italian Radio, originating in Turin, the composer conducting.
December 5, 1953:
Music for Anski’s play Le Dibbouk by Darius Milhaud (61) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
May 22, 1954:
Two works for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (61) are performed for the first time, in Louisville: Kentuckiana op.287, and Ouverture méditerranéenne op.330.
June 1, 1954:
David, an opera by Darius Milhaud (61) to words of Lunel, commissioned to celebrate the 3,000 years since the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Judea, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Jerusalem. See 2 February 1955.
June 10, 1954:
Ils étaient tous des volontaires, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (61) is shown for the first time, in France.
June 28, 1954:
Couronne de gloire op.211, a cycle for voice and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (61) to words of Rabbi Solomon, is performed for the first time, in Brussels, conducted by the composer.
July 2, 1954:
Incidental music to Gide’s play Saül by Darius Milhaud (61) is performed for the first time, in Toulon.
July 8, 1954:
Sonatine for violin and cello op.324 by Darius Milhaud (61) is performed for the first time, in Santa Barbara, California. It is part of the film A Visit to Darius Milhaud.
November 7, 1954:
Suite cisalpine op.332 for cello and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (62) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 29, 1954:
Sonatine for oboe and piano op.337 by Darius Milhaud (62) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
February 2, 1955:
David, an opera by Darius Milhaud (62) to words of Lunel, commissioned to celebrate the 3,000 years since the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Judea, is staged for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan. See 1 June 1954.
April 4, 1955:
Pensée amicale op.342 for strings by Darius Milhaud (62) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
May 1, 1955:
Trois psaumes de David op.339 for chorus by Darius Milhaud (62) is performed for the first time, at Stanford University.
September 13, 1955:
Symphony no.7 by Darius Milhaud (63) is performed for the first time, in Venice.
October 7, 1955:
Symphony no.6 by Darius Milhaud (63) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston, the composer conducting.
November 30, 1955:
Le château de feu op.338 for chorus and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (63) to words of Cassou is performed for the first time, in Palais Chaillot, Paris.
December 9, 1955:
Petite Suite op.348 for organ by Darius Milhaud (63) is performed for the first time, at Synagogue Buffault, Paris.
February 29, 1956:
Fourth Quintet for strings op.350 by Darius Milhaud (63) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.
May 16, 1956:
Piano Concerto no.5 op.346 by Darius Milhaud (63) is performed for the first time, in New York.
June 4, 1956:
Variations sur le nom de Marguerite Long for winds, timpani, and strings is performed for the first time, at the Sorbonne, Paris at a Jubilée Marguerite Long. Contributors are Jean Françaix, Henri Sauguet, Darius Milhaud (63), Jean Rivier, Henri Dutilleux, Daniel Lesur, Francis Poulenc (57), and Georges Auric. Milhaud’s contribution is Valse en forme de Rondo op.353b, while Poulenc’s is called Bucolique.
June 25, 1956:
Darius Milhaud’s (63) Piano Concerto no.5 is performed for the first time, at Lewisohn Stadium, New York.
August 19, 1957:
Aspen Serenade for chamber orchestra by Darius Milhaud (64) is performed for the first time, in Aspen, Colorado.
September 11, 1957:
Two works for chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (65) are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Lausanne the composer conducting: Le globe trotter op.358 and Les charmes de la vie.
November 4, 1957:
Service pour la veille du Sabbat op.345 for children’s chorus and organ by Darius Milhaud (65) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
February 13, 1958:
La rose des vents, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (65) to a story by Vidalie and Petit, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 22, 1958:
Symphony no.8 “Rhodanienne” by Darius Milhaud (65) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco. On the same program is the premiere of the Violin Concerto no.1 by Andrew Imbrie (37).
October 3, 1958:
Fiesta, an opera by Darius Milhaud (66) to words of Vian, is performed for the first time, at the Berlin Staatsoper.
November 5, 1958:
Huit poèmes de Jorge Guillen op.371 for chorus by Darius Milhaud (66) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 20, 1958:
Music for the documentary Péron and Evita by Darius Milhaud (66) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of CBS television, originating in New York.
November 27, 1958:
Three new works are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Cologne: Concerto for viola and orchestra no.2 op.340 by Darius Milhaud (66), Omnia tempus habent, a cantata for soprano and 17 instruments by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (40) to words of the Vulgate Bible, and Drei Dithyramben for chamber orchestra by Hans Werner Henze (32).
March 15, 1959:
Music for the documentary Burma Road by Darius Milhaud (66) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of CBS television, originating in New York.
March 22, 1959:
Sonatine for piano op.354 by Darius Milhaud (66) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
June 9, 1959:
Sonatine for viola and cello op.378 by Darius Milhaud (66) is performed for the first time, in Saskatoon.
July 18, 1959:
Sonata for cello and piano op.377 by Darius Milhaud (66) is performed for the first time, in Vancouver.
March 29, 1960:
Symphony no.9 by Darius Milhaud (67) is performed for the first time, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
May 8, 1960:
Cantate de la croix de charité op.381 by Darius Milhaud (67) to words of Masson is performed for the first time, in a broadcast to 65 countries originating in Paris, conducted by he composer.
May 10, 1960:
Paris op.284b for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (67) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.
December 12, 1960:
Symphony no.11 by Darius Milhaud (68) is performed for the first time, in Dallas.
March 14, 1961:
Aubade op.387 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (68) is performed for the first time, in Oakland.
April 4, 1961:
Symphony no.10 by Darius Milhaud (68), commissioned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the State of Oregon, is performed for the first time, in Portland.
May 10, 1961:
Cantate sur des poèmes de Chaucer op.386 by Darius Milhaud (68) is performed for the first time, at the University of Iowa.
November 17, 1961:
Incidental music to Giraudoux’ play Judith by Darius Milhaud (69) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre de France, Paris.
February 16, 1962:
Symphony no.12 “Rural” by Darius Milhaud (69) is performed for the first time, at the University of California, Davis.
May 17, 1962:
Traversée op.393 for chorus by Darius Milhaud (69) to words of Verlaine is performed for the first time, in Cork.
May 18, 1962:
Les funérailles de Phocion for orchestra op.385 by Darius Milhaud (69) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Belge. Also premiered is Milhaud’s ballet La branche des oiseaux. See 1 April 1965.
May 31, 1962:
Invocation à l’ange Raphaël op.395 for women’s chorus and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (69) to words of Claudel is performed for the first time, in Paris.
August 28, 1962:
Cantate de l’initiation op.388 by Darius Milhaud (69) is performed for the first time, in Jerusalem.
November 16, 1962:
Concert de chambre op.389 by Darius Milhaud (70) is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College.
November 29, 1962:
Ouverture Philharmonique op.397 by Darius Milhaud (70) is performed for the first time, at Lincoln Center, New York.
December 13, 1962:
Fanfare for two trumpets and trombone op.400 by Darius Milhaud (70) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
June 25, 1963:
Darius Milhaud’s (70) orchestral retort A Frenchman in New York is performed for the first time, in Boston.
July 25, 1963:
Suite de sonnets op.401 for vocal quartet and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (70) is performed for the first time, in Dieppe.
December 2, 1963:
Murder of a Great Chief of State, In memory of John F. Kennedy for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (71) is performed for the first time, in Oakland, California. Milhaud composed the work on 23 November 1963.
December 20, 1963:
Pacem in terris, a choral symphony for baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (71) to words of Pope John XXIII, is performed for the first time, at the inauguration of the new hall of Paris Radio.
January 13, 1964:
Three new songs are performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York: Préparatif à la mort en allégorie maritime by Darius Milhaud (71), My Crow Pluto for voice and piano by Virgil Thomson (67) to words of Moore, and For Poulenc by Ned Rorem (40) to words of O’Hara.
June 3, 1964:
Caroles op.402 for chorus and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (71) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
August 3, 1964:
String Sextet op.408 by Darius Milhaud (71) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
September 28, 1964:
Chansons du carnaval de Londres op.171b for voice and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (72) to words of Gay (tr. Fluchère), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Marseille, conducted by the composer.
October 31, 1964:
Four new chamber works are performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge: Amaryllis Variations for string trio by William Schuman (54), String Septet by Darius Milhaud (72), Four Psalms by Howard Hanson (68), and String Sextet by Walter Piston (70).
April 1, 1965:
La branche des oiseaux op.374, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (72) to a story by Chamson, is staged for the first time, in Brussels. See 18 May 1962.
April 22, 1965:
L’amour chante op.409, a cycle for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (72) to various authors, is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York.
June 13, 1965:
La mère coupable, an opera by Darius Milhaud (72) to words of M. Milhaud after Beaumarchais, is performed for the first time, in Geneva.
February 25, 1966:
Music for Boston for flute, clarinet, bassoon, and strings op.414 by Darius Milhaud (73) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
May 25, 1966:
Incidental music to Lunel’s play Jerusalem à Carpentras by Darius Milhaud (73) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Carpentras, Paris.
June 20, 1966:
Musique pour Prague for orchestra op.415 by Darius Milhaud (73) is performed for the first time, in Prague.
June 28, 1966:
Ode pour les morts des guerres op.406 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (73) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France, the composer conducting.
October 29, 1966:
Music for Indiana for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (74), commissioned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the State of Indiana, is performed for the first time, in Indianapolis.
November 15, 1966:
Hommage à Comenius op.421 for two voices and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (74) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.
April 24, 1967:
Cantata from Job op.413 for baritone, chorus, and organ by Darius Milhaud (74) is performed for the first time, in Beth Zion Temple, Buffalo.
April 18, 1968:
Incidental music to Claudel’s play L’histoire de Tobie et Sara by Darius Milhaud (75) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre de Rideau, Brussels.
June 28, 1968:
Musique pour Lisbonne op.420 for chamber orchestra by Darius Milhaud (75) is performed for the first time, in Lisbon.
July 30, 1968:
Symphonie pour l’univers Claudelien op.427b for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (75) is performed for the first time, in Aix-en-Provence.
August 11, 1968:
Musique pour Nouvelle Orléans for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (75) is performed for the first time, in Aspen, Colorado. The work was commissioned for the 250th anniversary of New Orleans in 1966 but rejected by the anniversary committee. Also premiered is Milhaud’s Promenade Concert op.424 for orchestra.
October 11, 1969:
Trio for violin, cello, and piano op.428 by Darius Milhaud (77) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York.
October 31, 1969:
Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Darius Milhaud (77) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
May 24, 1970:
Stanford Serenade op.430 for oboe and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (77) is performed for the first time.
October 24, 1970:
Musique pour Graz for chamber orchestra by Darius Milhaud (78) is performed for the first time, in Graz
December 17, 1970:
Six danses en trois mouvements op.433 for two pianos by Darius Milhaud (78) are performed for the first time, in Paris.
June 20, 1971:
The New York Times reports that Darius Milhaud (78) is retiring from his teaching position at Mills College in California, a post he has held since 1940, and returning to France.
September 25, 1971:
Suite en sol op.431 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (79) is performed for the first time, in Marin County, California.
March 18, 1972:
Darius Milhaud’s (79) opera-oratorio Saint Louis, Roi de France to words of Claudel and Doublier is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of RAI. See 14 April 1972.
April 14, 1972:
Darius Milhaud’s (79) opera-oratorio Saint Louis, Roi de France to words of Claudel and Doublier is staged for the first time, in Rio de Janeiro. See 18 March 1972.
April 17, 1972:
Vendanges, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (79) to a scenario by Rothschild, is performed for the first time, at the Nice Opéra, 20 years after it was composed.
September 3, 1972:
Musique pour San Francisco op.436 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud is performed for the first time, in San Francisco on the eve of the composer’s 80th birthday.
October 26, 1972:
Les momies d’Egypte op.439 for chorus by Darius Milhaud (80) to words of Régnard, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio Graz.
October 28, 1972:
Musique de théâtre for band op.334b by Darius Milhaud (80) is performed for the first time, in Drancy.
May 19, 1973:
Sonata for harp op.437 by Darius Milhaud (80) is performed for the first time, at Conservatoire Rocquencourt.
July 16, 1973:
Ode pour Jérusalem for orchestra op.440 by Darius Milhaud (80) is performed for the first time, in Israel.
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).
June 22, 1974:
Darius Milhaud dies in a hospital in Geneva, aged 81 years, nine months, and 18 days. His earthly remains will be laid to rest in Saint Pierre Cemetery in Aix-en-Provence.
April 27, 1980:
Méditation op.277 for piano by Darius Milhaud (†5) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
December 7, 1980:
Trois élégies op.199 for two voices and strings by Darius Milhaud (†6) to words of Jammes, is performed for the first time, in Orleans.
May 21, 1986:
Incidental music to Sturzo’s play Le cycle de la création by Darius Milhaud (†11) is performed for the first time, in Quirinal Palace, Rome, 52 years after it was composed.