January 20, 1894:
Walter Hamor Piston, Jr. is born at 15 Ocean Street in Rockland, Maine, USA the second of four children born to Walter Hamor Piston, a bookkeeper, and Leona Stover from a family of seamen.
September 14, 1920:
Walter Piston (26) marries Kathryn Nason, a classmate from the Massachusetts Normal School of Art.
November 14, 1920:
Walter Piston (26) marries Kathryn Nason, a classmate from the Massachusetts Normal School of Art and the daughter of a minister, in the Unitarian Church on Beacon Street in Boston.
May 8, 1925:
Three Pieces for flute, clarinet, and bassoon by Walter Piston (31) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 5, 1926:
New works by Americans are performed for the first time in a concert sponsored by the US ambassador Myron T. Herrick at the Salle des Concerts, Maison Gaveau, Paris: Two Pieces for violin and piano by Aaron Copland (25), the composer at the keyboard, Piano Sonata by Walter Piston (32), and the Sonata da chiesa for Eb clarinet, D trumpet, viola, horn, and trombone by Virgil Thomson (29).
April 12, 1927:
Minuetto in Stile Vecchio for string quartet by Walter Piston (33) is performed for the first time, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
March 23, 1928:
Symphonic Piece for orchestra by Walter Piston (34) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
March 28, 1930:
Suite for orchestra by Walter Piston (36) is performed for the first time, in Boston the composer conducting.
February 15, 1931:
Sonata for flute and piano by Walter Piston (37) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
January 17, 1932:
Suite for oboe and piano by Walter Piston (37) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
March 7, 1934:
String Quartet no.1 by Walter Piston (40) is performed for the first time.
March 8, 1934:
Concerto for Orchestra by Walter Piston (40) is performed for the first time, in Sanders Theatre of Harvard University, under the baton of the composer.
November 15, 1934:
Walter Piston (40) writes to Aaron Copland (34) asking if he would like to take over his composition class at Harvard next semester. Copland is amused, considering he never went to college, and accepts.
March 16, 1935:
String Quartet no.2 by Walter Piston (41) is performed for the first time, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
March 30, 1935:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for William Grant Still (40) and Walter Piston (41).
October 30, 1935:
Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Walter Piston (41) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
March 12, 1936:
Prelude and Fugue for orchestra by Walter Piston (42) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.
June 20, 1937:
Concertino for piano and chamber orchestra by Walter Piston (43) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the CBS radio network originating in New York the composer conducting.
April 8, 1938:
Symphony no.1 by Walter Piston (44) is performed for the first time, in Boston, under the baton of the composer.
May 30, 1938:
Walter Piston’s (44) ballet The Incredible Flutist is performed for the first time, in Boston.
April 20, 1939:
Sonata for violin and piano by Walter Piston (45) is performed for the first time, in Brunswick, Maine.
May 7, 1939:
Prologue for chorus and orchestra by William Schuman (28) to words of Taggard, is performed for the first time, in New York by the New York Federal Symphony and funded by the Federal Music Project. This concert is the first FMP concert featuring all-Guggenheim recipients. Along with Schuman, music by Aaron Copland (38), Roy Harris (41), Walter Piston (45), and Paul Nordoff is performed.
March 4, 1940:
Chromatic Study on the Name of Bach for organ by Walter Piston (46) is performed for the first time, in Hartford, Connecticut.
March 7, 1940:
Carnival Song for three male voices, male chorus, and brass by Walter Piston (46) to words of Lorenzo de Medici is performed for the first time, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
March 18, 1940:
Violin Concerto by Walter Piston (46) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
November 22, 1940:
A suite from the ballet The Incredible Flutist by Walter Piston (46) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh. See 30 May 1938.
March 10, 1941:
Sinfonietta for orchestra by Walter Piston (47) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
October 23, 1942:
The third of 18 patriotic fanfares for brass and percussion commissioned by Eugene Goossens and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, A Fanfare for the Fighting French by Walter Piston (48), is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.
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).
August 8, 1943:
Prelude and Allegro for organ and strings by Walter Piston (49) is performed for the first time over the airwaves of CBS Radio.
September 4, 1943:
Interlude for viola and piano by Walter Piston (49) is performed for the first time, in New York.
March 5, 1944:
Symphony no.2 by Walter Piston (50) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
October 21, 1944:
Walter Piston’s (50) Fugue on a Victory Tune is performed for the first time, in New York.
October 23, 1944:
Passacaglia for piano by Walter Piston (50) is performed for the first time, in New York.
October 29, 1944:
Partita for violin, viola, and organ by Walter Piston (50) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
March 23, 1945:
Variations on a Theme by Goosens is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati. The theme is followed by variations from Paul Creston, Aaron Copland (44), Deems Taylor, Howard Hanson (48), William Schuman (34), Walter Piston (51), Roy Harris (47), Bernard Rogers (52), Ernst Bloch (64) and Eugene Goosens.
November 30, 1945:
Sonatina for violin and harpsichord by Walter Piston (51) is performed for the first time.
May 18, 1946:
Divertimento for nine instruments by Walter Piston (52) is performed for the first time, in New York.
May 1, 1947:
Three new works commissioned by Harvard University to accompany a symposium on music criticism are performed for the first time, at Sanders Theatre: String Quartet no.3 of Walter Piston (53), String Trio op.45 of Arnold Schoenberg (72), and the Sixth String Quartet of Bohuslav Martinu (56).
January 9, 1948:
Symphony no.3 by Walter Piston (53) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
February 28, 1948:
A farewell concert in honor of Hanns Eisler (49) is presented in Town Hall, New York. Among those sponsoring the event are Walter Piston (54), Roger Sessions (51), Roy Harris (50), Aaron Copland (47), David Diamond (32), Leonard Bernstein (29), and Randall Thompson. Eisler will be deported next month.
February 28, 1948:
Suite no.2 for orchestra by Walter Piston (54) is performed for the first time, in Dallas.
May 3, 1948:
Walter Piston (54) wins the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Symphony no.3. See 9 January 1948.
May 28, 1948:
Walter Piston (54) wins the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Horblit Award for his Symphony no.3.
October 14, 1948:
Toccata for orchestra by Walter Piston (54) is performed for the first time, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
August 2, 1949:
Piano Quintet by Walter Piston (55) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
November 19, 1949:
Olivier Messiaen (40), Yvonne Loriod, and Maurice and Ginette Martenot travel from New York to Boston for the premiere of Turangalîla-symphonie. While in the area he visits the harmony class of Walter Piston (55) at Harvard University and gives an analysis of the work.
February 13, 1950:
Duo for viola and cello by Walter Piston (56) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
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).
March 30, 1951:
Symphony no.4 by Walter Piston (57) is performed for the first time, in Minneapolis.
May 18, 1952:
String Quartet no.4 by Walter Piston (58) is performed for the first time, in Oakland.
January 1, 1954:
Fantasy for english horn, harp, and strings by Walter Piston (60) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
November 25, 1955:
Symphony no.6 by Walter Piston (61), commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra to celebrate its 75th anniversary, is performed for the first time, in Boston.
December 9, 1955:
Walter Piston (61) is elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
February 24, 1956:
Symphony no.5 by Walter Piston (62), commissioned by the Juilliard School in honor of its 50th anniversary, is performed for the first time, in New York.
October 24, 1956:
Serenata for orchestra by Walter Piston (62) is performed for the first time, in Louisville.
January 24, 1957:
Quintet for wind instruments by Walter Piston (63) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
March 7, 1958:
Concerto for viola and orchestra by Walter Piston (64) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
May 9, 1959:
Psalm and Prayer of David for chorus by Walter Piston (65) is performed for the first time, at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.
October 23, 1959:
Three New England Sketches by Walter Piston (65) is performed for the first time, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
October 14, 1960:
Walter Piston’s (66) Violin Concerto no.2 is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
February 10, 1961:
Symphony no.7 by Walter Piston (67) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia. See 1 May 1961.
April 20, 1961:
Symphonic Prelude by Walter Piston (67) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.
May 1, 1961:
Walter Piston (67) wins the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Symphony no.7. See 10 February 1961.
November 13, 1961:
Pablo Casals gives a recital at the White House before President and Mrs. Kennedy and 200 invited guests. Among those attending are the elite of the musical culture of the United States: Walter Piston (67), Howard Hanson (65), Virgil Thomson (64), Roger Sessions (64), Henry Cowell (64), Roy Harris (63), Aaron Copland (60), Elliott Carter (52), Samuel Barber (51), William Schuman (51), Alan Hovhaness (50), Gian Carlo Menotti (50), Norman Dello Joio (48), Leonard Bernstein (43), Eugene Ormandy, and Leopold Stokowski. The concert is recorded and will be televised. Bernstein will recall “I’ve never seen so many happy artists in my life.”
September 23, 1962:
Connotations for orchestra by Aaron Copland (61) is performed for the first time, at the inauguration of Lincoln Center, directed by Leonard Bernstein (44). The concert is televised by the CBS television network. Among the attenders are composers Walter Piston (68), Roger Sessions (65), Henry Cowell (65), Roy Harris (64), Samuel Barber (52) and the Center’s director, William Schuman (52), along with Rudolf Bing, Isaac Stern, Secretary-General of the United Nations U Thant, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, UN Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, Governor Nelson Rockefeller, and New York Mayor Robert Wagner.
September 25, 1962:
Walter Piston’s (68) Lincoln Center Festival Overture is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York.
October 8, 1962:
String Quartet no.5 by Walter Piston (68) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
April 30, 1963:
Variations on a Theme by Edward Burlingame Hill for orchestra by Walter Piston (69) is performed for the first time.
April 27, 1964:
Piano Quartet by Walter Piston (70) is performed for the first time, at Harvard University.
July 4, 1964:
Concerto for two pianos and orchestra by Walter Piston (70) is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.
October 19, 1964:
Autumn: Concertino for harp, strings, and percussion by Virgil Thomson (67) is performed for the first time, in Madrid. Also premiered is Capriccio for harp and strings by Walter Piston (70).
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).
March 5, 1965:
Symphony no.8 by Walter Piston (71) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
November 16, 1965:
Pine Tree Fantasy for orchestra by Walter Piston (71) is performed for the first time, in Portland, Maine.
October 10, 1966:
Piano Trio no.2 by Walter Piston (72) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
March 2, 1967:
Variations for cello and orchestra by Walter Piston (73) is performed for the first time, in New York.
August 6, 1967:
Walter Piston’s (73) Clarinet Concerto is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.
March 7, 1968:
Ricercare for orchestra by Walter Piston (74) is performed for the first time, in New York, conducted by the dedicatee, Leonard Bernstein (49).
September 22, 1971:
Concerto for flute and orchestra by Walter Piston (77) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
March 11, 1973:
Fantasia for violin and orchestra by Walter Piston (79) is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College.
March 8, 1974:
String Trio by Walter Piston (80) is performed for the first time, at Harvard University.
December 13, 1974:
Duo for cello and piano by Walter Piston (80) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
November 14, 1975:
Bicentennial Fanfare for orchestra by Walter Piston (81) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.
October 26, 1976:
Concerto for string quartet, winds, and percussion by Walter Piston (82) is performed for the first time, in Portland, Maine.
November 12, 1976:
Walter Hamor Piston dies of a heart attack in his home at 127 Juniper Road in Belmont, Massachusetts, USA, aged 82 years, nine months, and 23 days. His ashes will be spread in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.