January 29, 1924:
Luigi Nono is born in a house on Canale della Giudecca, at the Fondamenta delle Zattere (Ponte Lungo 1486), Venice, Kingdom of Italy, the second child of Mario Nono, an engineer, and Maria Manetti. Both are amateur musicians.
August 27, 1950:
Variazioni canoniche sull serè dell’op.41 di A. Schoenberg for chamber orchestra by Luigi Nono (26) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt. The majority of the audience responds with whistles and other expressions of displeasure, although a few bravos are heard.
July 10, 1951:
Polifonica-Monodia-Ritmica in its original setting for chamber group by Luigi Nono (27) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt. In contrast to his experience of last summer, Nono’s work is afforded loud applause. See 27 August 1950.
February 18, 1952:
Composition for Orchestra no.1 by Luigi Nono (28) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg conducted by Bruno Maderna (31).
July 21, 1952:
In the so-called “Wunderkonzert” at Darmstadt, three new works are performed for the first time: Kreuzspiel no.1/7 for oboe, bass clarinet, piano, and percussion by Karlheinz Stockhausen (23), (performed live for the first time, it was broadcast over WDR last December), conducted by the composer with Bruno Maderna (32) playing percussion, España en el corazón for soprano, baritone, speaking chorus, chorus, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (28) to words of García Lorca and Neruda, conducted by Bruno Maderna (32), and Musica su due dimensioni for flute, cymbals, and tape by Bruno Maderna (32). See 4 October 1957.
December 17, 1952:
Y su sangre ya viene cantando for flute and chamber orchestra by Luigi Nono (28) to words of García Lorca is performed for the first time, in Baden-Baden. See 4 October 1957.
February 16, 1953:
Memento: romance de la guardia civil española for vocal soloist, spoken choir, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (29) to words of García Lorca is performed for the first time, in Hamburg conducted by Bruno Maderna (32). See 4 October 1957.
October 11, 1953:
Due espressioni per orchestra by Luigi Nono (29) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.
January 13, 1954:
Domaine musical, founded by Pierre Boulez (28) to present contemporary music, gives its first performance, at the Théâtre du Petit-Marigny in Paris. Polifonica, Monodia, Ritmica by Luigi Nono (29) is performed for the first time.
March 12, 1954:
Acts I and II of Arnold Schoenberg’s (†2) unfinished opera Moses und Aron, to his own words, are performed for the first time, in a concert setting, over the airwaves of Radio Hamburg. At the concert, Schoenberg’s daughter Nuria meets Luigi Nono (30) for the first time. They will marry next year. See 2 July 1951 and 6 June 1957.
August 25, 1954:
La victoire de Guernica, an oratorio for chorus and orchestra by Luigi Nono (30), to words of Eluard, is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt.
September 20, 1954:
Il mantell rosso (Der rote Mantel), a ballet by Luigi Nono (30) to a scenario by Gsovsky, is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 15, 1954:
Musiche di scena per “Come vi Piace” di William Shakespeare for baritone, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, guitar, and percussion by Luigi Nono (30) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
March 26, 1955:
Canti per 13 for 13 instruments by Luigi Nono (31) is performed for the first time, in Paris, conducted by Pierre Boulez on the conductor’s 30th birthday.
May 30, 1955:
Incontri for 24 instruments by Luigi Nono (31) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt.
June 1, 1955:
New works are performed for the first time, in Darmstadt: String Quartet in two movements by Bruno Maderna (35), and Perspektiven, music to an imaginary ballet by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (37). Also premiered is Klavierstücke V-VIII no.4 by Karlheinz Stockhausen (26). During the performance talking and giggling begin in the audience, which draws epithets in French from Pierre Boulez (30). Eventually the battling whistles and applause make it impossible for the music to be heard and Stockhausen grabs the music and stalks off, locking himself in his hotel room. After considerable effort by Luigi Nono (31) he is lured back to the hall. The music is restarted, whereupon the entire sequence of events begins again. The pianist, Marcelle Mercenier, thereupon abandons the performance. See 21 August 1954 and 2 June 1957.
August 8, 1955:
Lugi Nono (31) marries Nuria Schoenberg, the daughter of Arnold Schoenberg (†3), in Venice.
April 16, 1956:
Liebeslied for chorus and instruments by Luigi Nono (32) to his own words is performed for the first time, in London.
October 24, 1956:
Il Canto Sospeso for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, chorus, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (32) to words from letters written by resistance fighters, is performed for the first time, in the Großen Sendesaal, Cologne.
July 23, 1957:
Luigi Nono (33) delivers the lecture “Die Entwicklung der Reihentechnik” at Darmstadt.
October 4, 1957:
Tre epitaffi per Federico García Lorca for speaker, speaking chorus, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (33) to words of García Lorca and Neruda are performed together for the first time, in Berlin. The three have been performed separately already. See 21 July 1952, 17 December 1952, and 16 February 1953.
October 20, 1957:
Nachtstücke und Arien for soprano and orchestra by Hans Werner Henze (31) to words of Bachmann, is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen. A few seconds after the performance begins, Pierre Boulez (32), Luigi Nono (33), and Karlheinz Stockhausen (29) stand up and leave the hall.
October 20, 1957:
Varianti for violin, woodwinds, and strings by Luigi Nono (33) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.
January 13, 1958:
Improvisation sur Mallarmé I for soprano and seven instruments and Improvisation sur Mallarmé II for soprano and nine instruments by Pierre Boulez (32) are performed for the first time, in Hamburg. Also premiered is La terra e la compagna for soprano, tenor, chorus, and chamber orchestra by Luigi Nono (33) to words of Pavese. See 20 October 1962.
September 7, 1958:
Hexahedron for chamber ensemble by Ernst Krenek (58) is performed for the first time, in the Darmstadt Landestheater. Also premiered is Cori di Didone for chorus and percussion by Luigi Nono (34) to words of Ungaretti, conducted by Bruno Maderna (38).
September 1, 1959:
Luigi Nono (34) delivers the lecture “Geschichte und Gegenwart in der Musik von heute” at Darmstadt. It is seen as a personal attack on John Cage (46) and his influence in Europe.
September 2, 1959:
Composition for Orchestra no.2 (Diario polacco ‘58) by Luigi Nono (35) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt.
July 7, 1960:
Luigi Nono (36) delivers the lecture “Text-Musik-Gesang I” at Darmstadt.
July 8, 1960:
Luigi Nono (36) delivers the lecture “Text-Musik-Gesang II” at Darmstadt.
November 3, 1960:
Ha venido: canciones para Silvia for soprano solo and six sopranos by Luigi Nono (36) to words of Machado is performed for the first time, in London conducted by Bruno Maderna (40).
February 17, 1961:
Sarà dolce tacere for eight solo voices by Luigi Nono (37) to words of Pavese is performed for the first time, in Washington.
April 13, 1961:
Intolleranza 1960, a scenic action by Luigi Nono (37) after Ripellino, using texts of various authors including Eluard, Brecht, and Mayakovsky, is performed for the first time, in Venice, conducted by Bruno Maderna (40). It is his first premiere in Italy. A demonstration, complete with stink bombs and whistles, is staged by a fascist group who spreads anti-dodecaphonic literature throughout the audience. One of the composer’s fellow leftists in the audience, Marc Blitzstein (56), is impressed. “None of my scandals can touch this one!”
August 22, 1962:
Canti di vita d’amore: sul ponte di Hiroshima for soprano, tenor, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (38) to words of Anders, Pacheco, and Pavese, is performed for the first time, in Edinburgh.
February 28, 1963:
Canciones a Guiomar for soprano, six female voices, and instruments by Luigi Nono (39) to words of Machado is performed for the first time, in London conducted by the composer.
September 15, 1964:
La fabbrica illuminata for solo voice and tape by Luigi Nono (40) to words of Scabia and Pavese is performed for the first time, in Teatro La Fenice, Venice.
October 19, 1965:
Musiche di scena per “Ermittlung” di Piero Weiss for tape by Luigi Nono (41) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
September 7, 1966:
A floresta è jovem e cheja de vida for soprano, three speakers, clarinet, bronze sheets, and tape by Luigi Nono (42) to various authors, is performed for the first time, in Teatro La Fenice, Venice.
March 17, 1967:
Ricorda cosa ti hanno fatto in Auschwitz for tape by Luigi Nono (43) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Lirico, Milan.
October 31, 1967:
Per Bastiana Tai-Yang Cheng (L’oriente è rosso) for three instrumental groups and tape by Luigi Nono (43) is performed for the first time, in Massey Hall, Toronto.
February 18, 1968:
Thousands of people rally in London, Rome, and West Berlin to protest US policy in Vietnam. The Berlin march includes Hans Werner Henze (41) and Luigi Nono (44).
December 27, 1968:
Contrappunto dialettico alla mente for magnetic tape by Luigi Nono (44) is performed for the first time, in Palermo.
May 19, 1969:
Musica-manifesto no.1 for voice and tape by Luigi Nono (45) to words of Pavese, is performed for the first time, in Chatillon-sous-Bagneux.
March 21, 1970:
Y entonces comprendió for six female voices, chorus, tape, and electronics by Luigi Nono (46) to words of Falqui, is performed for the first time, in a broadcast by RAI originating in Rome.
June 25, 1970:
Voci destroying Muros for two sopranos, two female speakers, women’s chorus, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (46) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
February 11, 1971:
Ein Gespenst geht um in der Welt for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (47) to words of Marx, Sanchez, and Santamaria, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR, originating in Cologne.
June 28, 1972:
Como una ola de fuerza y luz for soprano, piano, orchestra, and tape by Luigi Nono (48) to words of Huasi, is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan.
July 28, 1973:
Siamo la gioventù del Vietnam for unison chorus by Luigi Nono (49) to words of Federici and the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam, is performed for the first time, in East Berlin.
December 15, 1974:
Für Paul Dessau for tape by Luigi Nono (51) is performed for the first time, in the Deutsche Staatsoper, East Berlin.
April 4, 1975:
Al gran sole carico d’amore, a scenic action by Luigi Nono (51) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan.
May 16, 1976:
Frammenti da Al gran sole carico d’amore for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, and tape by Luigi Nono (52) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
November 13, 1976:
I turcs tal Friúl, musica di scena, by Luigi Nono (52) to words of Pasolini, is performed for the first time, in Chiesa San Lorenzo, Venice.
April 17, 1977:
...sofferte onde serene... for piano and tape by Luigi Nono (53) is performed for the first time, in Sala Verdi, Milan.
November 4, 1979:
Con Luigi Dallapiccola (†4) for percussion, four pick-ups, three ring modulators, and loudspeakers by Luigi Nono (55) is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan.
June 2, 1980:
Fragmente-Stille, an Diotima for string quartet by Luigi Nono (56) is performed for the first time, in Bonn.
February 3, 1981:
Omaggio a Luigi Nono op.16 for chorus by György Kurtág (55), to words of Akhmatova and Dalos, is performed for the first time, in London.
May 30, 1981:
Das atmende Klarsein for chorus, bass flute and electronics by Luigi Nono (57) to words of Cacciari is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Pergola, Florence.
September 24, 1981:
Io, frammento dal Prometeo for three sopranos, chorus, bass flute, contrabass clarinet, and electronics by Luigi Nono (57) to words of Cacciari, is performed for the first time, in Venice.
October 3, 1982:
Quando stanno morendo: Diario polacco no.2 for four female voices, flute, cello, and electronics by Luigi Nono (58) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Venice.
November 24, 1982:
¿Donde estas hermano? for two sopranos, mezzo-soprano, and alto by Luigi Nono (58) is performed for the first time, in the Musikhochschule, Cologne. The work is dedicated “For the disappeared of Argentina.” Also premiered is Mit geschlossenem Mund for eight voices by Wolfgang Rihm (30).
June 10, 1983:
Omaggio a György Kurtág for alto, flute, clarinet, tuba, and electronic sounds by Luigi Nono (59) is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Pergola, Florence.
October 23, 1983:
Guai ai gelidi mostri for two altos, instrumental ensemble, and electronic sounds by Luigi Nono (59) to words of Cacciari is performed for the first time, in the Großer Sendesaal, Cologne.
September 29, 1984:
Prometeo: Tragedia dell’ascolto, an opera by Luigi Nono (60) to words of Cacciari, is performed for the first time, in Venice. See 25 September 1985.
March 10, 1985:
A Carlo Scarpa architetto, ai suoi infinti possibili for orchestra by Luigi Nono (61) is performed for the first time, in the Musikhalle, Hamburg.
March 31, 1985:
Esprit rude l’esprit doux for flute and clarinet by Elliott Carter (76) and dedicated to Pierre Boulez (60), is performed for the first time, in the Weinbrenner-Saal, Baden-Baden. On the same program is the premiere of A Pierre. Dell’azzurro silenzio, inquietum for contrabass flute, contrabass clarinet and electronic sound generators by Luigi Nono (61), and Fusées for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (33).
September 25, 1985:
The second and “definitive” version of Prometeo: Tragedia dell’ascolto, an opera by Luigi Nono (61) to words of Cacciari, is performed for the first time, in Milan. See 29 September 1984.
March 15, 1986:
Risonanze erranti a Massimo Cacciari for mezzo-soprano, flute, percussion, and electronics by Luigi Nono (62) to words of Melville and Bachmann is performed for the first time, in the Großer Rheinsaal der Kölner Messe, Cologne.
September 4, 1986:
Stimmen...Verstummen..., a symphony in 12 movements by Sofia Gubaidulina (54) is performed for the first time, in West Berlin. Luigi Nono (62) is present and is moved to meet the composer backstage and hold her hands, without comment.
April 25, 1987:
Caminantes...Ayacucho for alto, bass flute, organ, two choirs, orchestra, and electronic instruments by Luigi Nono (63) to words of Bruno is performed for the first time, in Munich.
October 5, 1987:
Decouvrir la subversion: Hommage à Edmond Jabes for alto, bass, reciter, tuba, horn, flute, and electronic instruments by Luigi Nono (63) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre National de Chaillot, Paris.
October 17, 1987:
Post-Prae-Ludium no.1: Donau for tuba and electronic instruments by Luigi Nono (63) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.
November 28, 1987:
No hay caminos, hay que caminar...Andrej Tarkovskij for seven choruses and orchestra by Luigi Nono (63) is performed for the first time, in Suntory Hall, Tokyo.
September 3, 1988:
La Lontananza Nostalgica-Futura for violin and eight tapes by Luigi Nono (64) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
September 4, 1988:
Post-Prae-Ludium No.2: Baab-arr by Luigi Nono (64) arranged for piccolo is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
October 14, 1989:
“Hay que caminar” sognando for two violins by Luigi Nono (65) is performed for the first time, in Milan.
March 18, 1990:
The Kunstpreis Berlin 1990 is awarded to Luigi Nono (66). He is too ill to receive it in person.
May 8, 1990:
Luigi Nono dies at his home in Venice, Republic of Italy, of liver disease, aged 66 years, three months, and nine days.
May 11, 1990:
The mortal remains of Luigi Nono are laid to rest on the island of San Michele, Venice. Among the mourners is Hans Werner Henze (63).
September 17, 1990:
Cantus firmus for 14 players, composed in memory of Luigi Nono (†0) by Wolfgang Rihm (38), is performed for the first time, in Glasgow.
November 11, 1990:
Abgewandt II for 14 players by Wolfgang Rihm (38) is performed for the first time, in Gütersloh. It was composed in memory of Luigi Nono (†0).
February 21, 1991:
Umfassung for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (38) is performed for the first time, in Milan. It was composed in memory of Luigi Nono (†0).
February 23, 1991:
Do you Hear us Luigi? for six percussionists by Sofia Gubaidulina (59) is performed for the first time, in Moscow. It is in honor of Luigi Nono (†0).
September 14, 1992:
La lugubre gondola/Das Eismeer for two orchestras and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (40), composed in memory of Luigi Nono (†2), is performed for the first time, in Duisburg. See 8 October 1994.
October 8, 1994:
Two new works are performed for the first time, in Graz: Sans Soleil for two ondes Martenot, orchestra, and electronics by Olga Neuwirth (26), and La lugubre gondola/Das Eismeer for two pianos by Wolfgang Rihm (42), composed in memory of Luigi Nono. See 14 September 1992.
January 29, 2000:
Da un Diario Italiano for two choruses by Luigi Nono (†9) is performed for the first time, in Cologne, 36 years after it was composed.
May 6, 2004:
Due liriche greche by Luigi Nono (†13) are performed for the first time, in Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, Cologne 55 years after they were composed. They consist of La Stella mattutina for female chorus, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, vibraphone, tam-tam, piano, and viola, and Ai Dioscuri for chorus, timbales, tam-tam, and piano.
May 6, 2006:
Julius Fucik for two speakers and orchestra by Luigi Nono (†15) is performed for the first time, in Munich, 55 years after it was composed.
September 11, 2014:
Choral für Luigi Nono by Hans Abrahamsen (61) is performed for the first time, in Schwaz, Austria.