June 6, 1915:
21:57 Vincent Ludwig Persichetti is born at the Women’s Hospital of Philadelphia (then at 2137 North College Avenue), USA, the first of three children born to Vincent Ruggero Persichetti, an Italian immigrant who works in a bank, and Martha Catherine Buch, a German immigrant, the daughter of a tavern owner.
December 17, 1921:
Vincent Persichetti (6) gives his first performance, in a piano recital at the Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia.
December 21, 1929:
Serenade no.2 op.2 by Vincent Persichetti (14) is performed for the first time, at Combs Conservatory, Philadelphia by the composer.
October 5, 1937:
Vincent Persichetti (22) enters a graduate program at Philadelphia Conservatory.
May 8, 1939:
Piano Sonata no.1 op.3 by Vincent Persichetti (23) is performed for the first time, at Philadelphia Conservatory by the composer.
February 24, 1940:
Poems for Piano, Volume 1 op.4 by Vincent Persichetti (24) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of CBS radio in New York, by the composer.
November 8, 1940:
Sonatine for organ, pedals alone op.11 by Vincent Persichetti (25) is performed for the first time, in Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia by the composer.
January 8, 1941:
Piano Sonata no.2 op.6 by Vincent Persichetti (25) is performed for the first time, in El Dorado, Kansas by the composer’s future wife, Dorothea Flanagan.
March 23, 1941:
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis op.8 for chorus and organ or piano by Vincent Persichetti (25) is performed for the first time, in Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.
April 2, 1941:
Sonata for Two Pianos op.13 by Vincent Persichetti (25) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York, by the composer and his future wife, Dorothea Flanagan.
June 3, 1941:
Vincent Persichetti (25) marries Dorothea Flanagan, a pianist, in Philadelphia.
May 27, 1942:
Suite op.9 for violin and cello by Vincent Persichetti (26) is performed for the first time, at the commencement of Philadelphia Conservatory.
March 14, 1943:
String Quartet no.1 by Vincent Persichetti (27) is performed for the first time, in New York.
April 7, 1943:
Serenade no.3 op.17 for piano trio by Vincent Persichetti (27) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
August 13, 1943:
Piano Sonata no.3 op.22 by Vincent Persichetti (28) is performed for the first time, in Colorado Springs, by the composer.
October 18, 1944:
Dance Overture op.20 for orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (32) is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York conducted by Howard Hanson (47).
February 13, 1945:
Poems for Piano, Volume 2 op.5 by Vincent Persichetti (29) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of radio station WNYC, New York by the composer.
April 20, 1945:
Two works by Vincent Persichetti (29) are performed for the first time, in Philadelphia: Pastoral op.21 for woodwind quintet, and Fables op.23 for speaker and orchestra.
August 16, 1945:
String Quartet no.2 op.24 by Vincent Persichetti (30) is performed for the first time, in Colorado Springs.
October 25, 1945:
Concertino for piano and orchestra op.16 by Vincent Persichetti (30) is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York, the composer at the keyboard.
November 17, 1945:
Sonata for violin op.10 by Vincent Persichetti (30) is performed for the first time, in Waldport, Oregon.
November 1, 1946:
Vocalise op.27 for cello and piano by Vincent Persichetti (31) is performed for the first time, in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
November 22, 1946:
Serenade no.4 op.28 for violin and piano by Vincent Persichetti (31) is performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
December 12, 1946:
The Hollow Men op.25 for trumpet and strings by Vincent Persichetti (31) is performed for the first time, in Germantown, Pennsylvania.
October 17, 1947:
Variations for an Album for piano op.32 by Vincent Persichetti (32) is performed for the first time, at Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio.
October 21, 1947:
Symphony no.1 op.18 by Vincent Persichetti (32) is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York conducted by Howard Hanson (50).
November 21, 1947:
Symphony no.3 op.30 by Vincent Persichetti (32) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
April 13, 1948:
Two Chinese Songs op.29 by Vincent Persichetti (32) are performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
May 9, 1948:
Vincent Persichetti (32) plays a farewell organ recital at the Arch Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia where he has been organist for 16 years.
May 17, 1948:
e.e. cummings Songs op.26 for voice and piano by Vincent Persichetti (32) are performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Art Alliance.
May 21, 1948:
First Suite for Strings by Lou Harrison (31) is performed for the first time, at the National Institute of Arts and Letters as part of a ceremony awarding creative grants to Harrison, Henry Cowell (51), and Vincent Persichetti (33).
January 31, 1949:
King Lear op.35, a septet for woodwind quintet, timpani, and piano by Vincent Persichetti (33) is performed for the first time, in Montclair, New Jersey.
December 27, 1949:
Three songs by Charles Ives (75) are performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre at Columbia University: Chanson de Florian to words of Florian, The Rainbow (So May It Be!) to words of Wordsworth, and Lincoln, the Great Commoner to words of Markham. On the same program is the premiere of Piano Sonata no.4 by Vincent Persichetti (34).
June 16, 1950:
Two works for band are performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York: Tunbridge Fair by Walter Piston (56), and Divertimento op.42 by Vincent Persichetti (35).
November 15, 1950:
Serenade no.5 op.43 for timpani and strings by Vincent Persichetti (35) is performed for the first time, in Louisville, Kentucky.
January 27, 1951:
Serenade no.6 op.44 for trombone, viola, and cello by Vincent Persichetti (35) is performed for the first time, in Groton, Massachusetts.
March 11, 1951:
Piano Sonata no.5 op.37 by Vincent Persichetti (35) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
March 31, 1951:
Fairy Tale op.48 for orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (35) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
April 26, 1951:
Piano Sonata no.6 op.39 by Vincent Persichetti (35) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
December 13, 1951:
Piano Sonatina no.2 by Vincent Persichetti (36) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
January 10, 1952:
Harpsichord Sonata no.1 by Vincent Persichetti (36) is performed for the first time, at Shippensburg State College, Pennsylvania.
January 20, 1952:
Harmonium op.50, a cycle for voice and piano by Vincent Persichetti (36) to words of Stevens, is performed for the first time, at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
February 27, 1952:
Four Cummings Choruses op.46 by Vincent Persichetti (36) is performed for the first time, in Dallas.
April 21, 1952:
Serenade no.1 op.1 for ten wind instruments by Vincent Persichetti (36) is performed for the first time, at San Angelo College, Texas, 23 years after it was composed.
May 2, 1952:
Psalm for band op.53 by Vincent Persichetti (36) is performed for the first time, at the University of Louisville, conducted by the composer.
May 7, 1952:
Pageant op.59 for band by Vincent Persichetti (36) is performed for the first time, in Miami conducted by the composer.
November 29, 1952:
Concerto for Piano, Four Hands op.56 by Vincent Persichetti (37) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh, by the composer and his wife Dorothea Persichetti.
May 6, 1953:
Sonata for cello op.54 by Vincent Persichetti (37) is performed for the first time, at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
August 28, 1954:
Symphony for Strings op.61 by Vincent Persichetti (39) is performed for the first time, in Louisville, Kentucky.
November 14, 1954:
Little Piano Book op.60 by Vincent Persichetti (39) is performed for the first time, at Philadelphia Conservatory by his daughter Lauren.
December 17, 1954:
Symphony no.4 op.51 by Vincent Persichetti (39) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
February 4, 1955:
Piano Quintet op.66 by Vincent Persichetti (39) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington, the composer at the keyboard.
February 5, 1956:
Parades op.57 for piano by Vincent Persichetti (40) is performed for the first time, at Philadelphia Conservatory.
February 20, 1956:
New works are performed for the first time at the Juilliard School, New York: Spring Comes Singing for voice and piano by Henry Cowell (58) to words of Hagemeyer, Piano Sonata no.10 op.67 by Vincent Persichetti (40), and Three Children’s Songs for Grownups (later Childhood Fables for Grownups ) for voice and piano by Irving Fine (41) to words of Norman.
March 19, 1956:
Piano Sonata no.8 op.41 by Vincent Persichetti (40) is performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Conservatory.
April 16, 1956:
Symphony for Band op.69 by Vincent Persichetti (40) is performed for the first time, in St. Louis, Missouri.
May 21, 1956:
Piano Sonata no.7 op.40 by Vincent Persichetti (40) is performed for the first time, at Philadelphia Conservatory.
October 7, 1956:
Hymns and Responses for the Church Year, volume 1 op.68 for chorus by Vincent Persichetti (41) is performed for the first time, at First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia.
March 12, 1957:
Serenade no.10 op.79 for flute and harp by Vincent Persichetti (42) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
March 17, 1957:
Seek the Highest op.78 for chorus and piano by Vincent Persichetti (41), to words of Adler, is performed for the first time, in New York.
November 4, 1958:
Emily Dickinson Songs op.77 by Vincent Persichetti (43) are performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
April 19, 1959:
String Quartet no.3 op.81 by Vincent Persichetti (43) is performed for the first time, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
April 26, 1959:
Song of Peace op.82 for male chorus and piano by Vincent Persichetti (43) is performed for the first time, in Hamilton, New York.
October 24, 1959:
Symphony no.7 op.80 by Vincent Persichetti (44) is performed for the first time, in St. Louis.
November 24, 1959:
James Joyce Songs op.74, a cycle for voice and piano by Vincent Persichetti (44), is performed for the first time, in Fleischer Auditorium, Philadelphia.
December 28, 1960:
Sonata for organ op.86 by Vincent Persichetti (45) is performed for the first time, at Washington University in St. Louis.
February 5, 1961:
Hymn and Fuguing Tune no.13 for trombone and piano by Henry Cowell (63) is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Concert Hall of the YM-YWHA in New York. Also premiered is Infanta Marina op.83 for viola and piano by Vincent Persichetti (45).
April 14, 1961:
Performance, a ballet created by José Limón, is performed for the first time, at the Juilliard School, New York. It is a theme and variations composed by members of the school’s faculty. President William Schuman (60) composed the theme, with variations written by Hugh Aitken, William Bergsma (40), Jacob Druckman (32), Vittorio Giannini, Norman Lloyd, Vincent Persichetti (45), Robert Starer, and Hugo Weisgall (48).
April 19, 1961:
Serenade no.11 op.85 for band by Vincent Persichetti (45) is performed for the first time, in Ithaca, New York conducted by the composer.
April 20, 1961:
Mass op.84 for chorus by Vincent Persichetti (45) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
May 21, 1961:
Bagatelles op.87 for band by Vincent Persichetti (45) is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College, the composer conducting.
March 8, 1962:
Piano Sonata no.9 op.58 by Vincent Persichetti (46) is performed for the first time, in Madison, Wisconsin.
October 7, 1962:
Serenade no.12 op.88 for tuba by Vincent Persichetti (47) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
December 11, 1962:
Chorale Prelude: So Pure the Star op.91 for band by Vincent Persichetti (47) is performed for the first time, in Durham, North Carolina the composer conducting.
December 15, 1962:
New works for organ are performed for the first time, at the dedication of the Aeolian-Skinner organ in Philharmonic Hall (Avery Fisher Hall), New York: Pange lingua by Virgil Thomson (66), Hymn and Fuguing Tune no.14 for organ by Henry Cowell (65), and Shimah B’Koli op.89 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (47).
February 12, 1964:
Four cummings Choruses op.98 for chorus and piano by Vincent Persichetti (48) is performed for the first time, in Hanover, New Hampshire.
March 15, 1964:
Te Deum op.93 for chorus and orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (48) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
April 1, 1964:
Spring Cantata op.94 for female chorus and piano by Vincent Persichetti (48) is performed for the first time, is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
May 1, 1964:
Stabat mater op.92 for chorus and orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (48) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
May 7, 1964:
Serenade no.13 op.95 for two clarinets by Vincent Persichetti (48) is performed for the first time, in New York.
August 2, 1964:
Concerto for piano and orchestra op.90 by Vincent Persichetti (49) is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
February 9, 1965:
The National Institute of Arts and Letters (US) announces the election of Vincent Persichetti (49), Milton Babbitt (48), and Peter Mennin (41) as members.
April 9, 1965:
Winter Cantata op.97 for female chorus, flute, and marimba by Vincent Persichetti (49) to haiku (tr. Stewart) is performed for the first time, in Troy, New York.
May 1, 1965:
Introit for Strings op.96 by Vincent Persichetti (49) is performed for the first time, in Kansas City, Missouri.
December 16, 1965:
Piano Sonata no.11 by Vincent Persichetti (50) is performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Art Alliance by the composer’s wife Dorothea Persichetti. Also premiered is Persichetti’s Parable I op.100 for flute.
December 18, 1965:
Masques op.99 for violin and piano by Vincent Persichetti (50) is performed for the first time, at the Juilliard School, New York.
January 23, 1966:
Masquerade for Band op.102 by Vincent Persichetti (50) is performed for the first time, in Berea, Ohio the composer conducting.
November 18, 1966:
Celebrations op.103 for chorus and winds by Vincent Persichetti (51), to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, in River Falls, Wisconsin.
April 13, 1967:
Chorale Prelude: Drop, Drop. Slow Tears op.104 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (51) is performed for the first time, at the University of Kentucky, Lexington.
May 17, 1967:
Two works for band are performed for the first time, in Ford Auditorium of Ithaca College, New York: Chorale Prelude: Turn Not Thy Face op.105 by Vincent Persichetti (51), and Fiesta Processional by Robert Ward (49).
October 29, 1967:
Symphony no.8 op.106 by Vincent Persichetti (52) is performed for the first time, in Berea, Ohio.
April 17, 1968:
Parable II op.108 for brass quintet by Vincent Persichetti (52) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
May 10, 1968:
The Pleiades op.107 for trumpet, chorus, and strings by Vincent Persichetti (52), to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, at SUNY Potsdam.
April 17, 1970:
The Creation op.111 for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (54), to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
May 12, 1970:
Parable V op.112 for carillon by Vincent Persichetti (54) is performed for the first time, in Lawrence, Kansas.
December 9, 1970:
Night Dances op.114 for orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (55) is performed for the first time, at Kiamesha Lake, New York.
March 5, 1971:
Sinfonia: Janiculum op.113 for orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (55) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
May 10, 1971:
A Net of Fireflies op.115, a cycle for voice and piano by Vincent Persichetti (55), to words of 17 haiku (tr. Stewart), is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
June 3, 1971:
Love op.116 for female chorus by Vincent Persichetti (55), to words of the Bible, is performed for the first time, at the composer’s home for his 30th wedding anniversary.
June 21, 1972:
Parable VI op.117 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in Fort Worth, Texas.
June 23, 1972:
Parable VII op.119 for harp by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in San Diego, California.
November 7, 1972:
Parable VIII op.120 for horn by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
December 15, 1972:
Vincent Persichetti (57) is contacted by the organizers of the presidential inauguration upcoming on 20 January. They ask him for a work for narrator and orchestra based on the Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln. After some hesitation, he agrees.
December 20, 1972:
On about this date, the organizers of the upcoming presidential inauguration decide that a work being composed by Vincent Persichetti (57) based on Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address will be inappropriate, given the resumption of bombing in Vietnam. They apparently fear the words of peace contained within the Lincoln text and the less than favorable comparison between the two presidencies which the audience would inevitably draw. They do not immediately inform Persichetti who is working on the score.
January 9, 1973:
Eugene Ormandy informs Vincent Persichetti (57) that the piece he has composed for the presidential inauguration, A Lincoln Address, will not be performed.
January 11, 1973:
Vincent Persichetti (57) writes a letter to President Nixon, informing him of the cancellation of his work and asking him to reconsider. He will not receive a reply.
January 25, 1973:
A Lincoln Address op.124 for narrator and orchestra by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in St. Louis.
February 28, 1973:
String Quartet no.4 op.122 by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, at Pennsylvania State University.
April 6, 1973:
Parable IX op.121 for band by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in Des Moines, Iowa.
April 14, 1973:
Parable IX op.123 for alto saxophone by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
October 4, 1974:
Parable XIII op.126 for clarinet by Vincent Persichetti (59) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 18, 1974:
Do Not Go Gentle op.132 for organ pedals alone by Vincent Persichetti (59) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
December 18, 1974:
Glad and Very op.129 for chorus and piano by Vincent Persichetti (59), to words of Cummings, is performed for the first time, in Huntingdon, New York.
April 2, 1975:
Parable XV op.128 for english horn by Vincent Persichetti (59) is performed for the first time, in Tempe, Arizona.
June 29, 1975:
Parable XVI op.130 for viola by Vincent Persichetti (60) is performed for the first time, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
March 30, 1976:
Parable XIX op.134 for piano by Vincent Persichetti (60) is performed for the first time, in Dallas.
November 17, 1977:
Concerto for english horn and strings op.137 by Vincent Persichetti (62) is performed for the first time, in New York.
May 31, 1978:
Parable XVIII op.133 for trombone by Vincent Persichetti (62) is performed for the first time, in Nashville, Tennessee.
July 14, 1978:
Auden Variations op.136 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (63) is performed for the first time, in Hartford, Connecticut.
October 21, 1978:
Parable XXI op.140 for guitar by Vincent Persichetti (63) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
November 10, 1979:
A second version of Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis op.8 for chorus and piano by Vincent Persichetti (64) is performed for the first time, at Ithaca College.
June 18, 1980:
Dryden Liturgical Suite op.144 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (65) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
June 18, 1980:
Three Toccatinas op.142 for piano by Vincent Persichetti (65) is performed for the first time, at the University of Maryland, College Park.
June 21, 1980:
Mirror Etudes op.143 for piano by Vincent Persichetti (65) is performed for the first time, in Lawton, Oklahoma.
January 28, 1982:
Parable XXIII op.150 for violin, cello, and piano by Vincent Persichetti (66) is performed for the first time, in New York the composer at the piano.
April 3, 1982:
Harpsichord Sonata no.4 op.151 by Vincent Persichetti (66) is performed for the first time, at Shippensburg State College, Pennsylvania.
April 25, 1982:
Parable XXII for tuba by Vincent Persichetti (66) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
June 23, 1982:
Harpsichord Sonata no.2 op.146 by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.
October 10, 1982:
Harpsichord Sonata no.3 op.149 by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
December 8, 1982:
Harpsichord Sonata no.5 op.152 by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in Tempe, Arizona.
March 7, 1983:
Song of David op.148 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in the Church of the Ascension, New York.
March 19, 1983:
Harpsichord Sonata no.7 op.156 by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York.
April 18, 1983:
Piano Sonata no.12 op.145 by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in Notre Dame, Indiana.
April 21, 1983:
Parable XXIV op.153 for harpsichord by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in Columbus, Ohio.
September 11, 1983:
Harpsichord Sonata no.6 op.154 by Vincent Persichetti (68) is performed for the first time, in Christ Church Cathedral, New Orleans.
October 16, 1983:
Little Harpsichord Book op.155 by Vincent Persichetti (68) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
April 20, 1984:
Flower Songs op.157 for chorus and strings by Vincent Persichetti (68), to words of Cummings, is performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
May 17, 1984:
Serenade no.14 op.159 for oboe by Vincent Persichetti (68) is performed for the first time, in Christ and St. Stephen’s Church, New York.
November 4, 1984:
Chorale Prelude: O God Unseen op.160 for band by Vincent Persichetti (69) is performed for the first time, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
April 13, 1985:
The Sibyl, an opera by Vincent Persichetti (69) to his own words, is performed for the first time at the Pennsylvania Opera Theatre, Philadelphia.
September 23, 1985:
Serenade no.15 op.159 for harpsichord by Vincent Persichetti (70) is performed for the first time, in Dallas.
November 15, 1985:
Harpsichord Sonata no.8 by Vincent Persichetti (70) is performed for the first time, in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York.
June 3, 1986:
Chorale Prelude: Give Peace, O God op.162 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (70) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
June 21, 1986:
Harpsichord Sonata no.9 op.163 by Vincent Persichetti (71) is performed for the first time, on Mt. Desert Island, Maine.
August 14, 1987:
Vincent Ludwig Persichetti dies at his home Hillhouse on Wise Mill Road in Philadelphia, USA, of lung cancer, aged 72 years, two months, and eight days. He has bequeathed his body to the use of science.
December 6, 1987:
In memoriam Vincent Persichetti for winds, brass, and percussion by Jacob Druckman (59) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.