October 23, 1923:
Ned Rorem is born at Reid Hospital (1401 Chester Boulevard) in Richmond, Indiana, USA, the youngest of two children born to Clarence Rufus Rorem, a medical economist and a founder of Blue Cross, and Gladys Miller, a peace activist.
February 20, 1945:
In Piazzas Palladio for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (21) to words of Phemister is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of radio station WNYC, New York the composer at the keyboard.
July 20, 1947:
Mongolian Idiot, a song by Ned Rorem (23) to words of Shapiro, is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood the composer at the piano.
November 30, 1947:
A Sermon on Miracles for solo voice, chorus, and strings by Ned Rorem (24), to words of Goodman, is performed for the first time, in Second Church, Boston.
May 7, 1949:
Overture in C for orchestra by Ned Rorem (25) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall.
May 19, 1949:
Penny Arcade, a cycle for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (25) to words of Norse, is performed for the first time, in the McMillan Theatre, New York the composer at the keyboard. Also premiered is Piano Sonata no.1 by Leon Kirchner (30), by the composer.
May 25, 1949:
Ned Rorem (25) sails from New York aboard the SS Washington making for France.
June 8, 1949:
At her Paris home, Ned Rorem (25) meets Nadia Boulanger (61) for the first time.
July 8, 1949:
Ned Rorem (25) has his first lengthy meeting with Francis Poulenc (50) in Poulenc’s Paris home. Rorem says Poulenc is “the twentieth-century composer to whose work I feel most akin.”
August 4, 1949:
Ned Rorem (25) and friends take a ship from southern France to Algeria, arriving 5 August.
October 6, 1949:
Piano Sonata no.1 by Ned Rorem (25) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
October 12, 1949:
Ned Rorem (25) ends his sojourn in North Africa by flying from Tangier to France.
October 23, 1949:
In Paris, Ned Rorem celebrates his 26th birthday by burning his draft card.
November 4, 1949:
Ned Rorem (26) arrives in Algeria for a second time, having sailed from Marseille.
May 4, 1950:
Seconde Sonate pour piano and Barcarolles for piano by Ned Rorem (26) are performed for the first time, in the United States Embassy, Paris.
July 4, 1950:
Six Irish Poems, a cycle for voice and orchestra by Ned Rorem (26) to words of Darley, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 19, 1950:
Flight for Heaven, a cycle for bass and piano by Ned Rorem (27) to words of Herrick, is performed for the first time, in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
February 24, 1952:
Cycle of Holy Songs for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (28) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in Washington.
May 29, 1953:
Design for orchestra by Ned Rorem (29) is performed for the first time, in Louisville.
October 23, 1954:
Poèmes pour la paix, a cycle for voice and piano by Ned Rorem to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, at the École Normale, Paris, the composer at the piano on his 31st birthday.
March 23, 1955:
Four Dialogues for soprano, tenor, and two pianos by Ned Rorem (31) to words of O’Hara, is performed for the first time, at the Palazzo of Contessa Mimi Pecci-Blunt, in Rome, the composer at the keyboard.
May 10, 1955:
A Childhood Miracle, an opera by Ned Rorem (31) to words of Stein, is performed for the first time, in Carl Fischer Hall, New York.
June 7, 1955:
Piano Sonata no.3 by Ned Rorem (31) is performed for the first time, in Foyer de la Musique Contemporaine, Paris.
January 27, 1956:
Another Sleep, a cycle for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (32) to words of Green, is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
August 5, 1956:
Symphony no. 2 by Ned Rorem (32) is performed for the first time, in La Jolla, California.
February 15, 1957:
The Poet’s Requiem for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Ned Rorem (33) to various authors, is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
July 14, 1957:
Sinfonia for 15 winds and percussion ad.lib. by Ned Rorem (33) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
October 30, 1957:
Incidental music for Settings for Whitman for speaker and piano by Ned Rorem (34) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York. Also premiered is Robert Ward’s (40) Three Pieces for Narrator and Piano Based on Poems from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats to words of Eliot.
January 7, 1958:
Incidental music to Williams’ play Suddenly Last Summer by Ned Rorem (34) is performed for the first time, in York Playhouse, New York.
April 14, 1958:
The Robbers, a melodrama by Ned Rorem (34) to his own words, revised by Marc Blitzstein (53) after Chaucer, is performed for the first time, at the Kaufman Auditorium of the YMHA, New York.
January 30, 1959:
Pilgrims for strings by Ned Rorem (35) is performed for the first time, in New York.
February 24, 1959:
Four songs for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (35) are performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, the composer at the piano: What Sparks and Wiry Cries to words of Goodman, Visits to St. Elizabeths to words of Bishop, Love to words of Lodge, and Lullaby of the Woman of the Mountain to words of Pearse (tr. MacDonagh).
April 18, 1959:
Symphony no.3 by Ned Rorem (35) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, Leonard Bernstein (40) conducting.
October 23, 1959:
Eagles, a symphonic poem by Ned Rorem, is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia on the composer’s 36th birthday.
December 20, 1959:
Miracles of Christmas for chorus and organ by Ned Rorem (36) to words of Jacob is performed for the first time, in Garden City Community Church, Long Island, New York.
January 7, 1960:
Ned Rorem’s (36) Trio for flute, cello, and piano is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
April 3, 1960:
Mostly About Love, four songs for voice and piano by Virgil Thomson (63) to words of Koch, is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York. Also premiered are eight songs by Ned Rorem (36) to words of Roethke: Orchids, I Strolled Across an Open Field, The Waking, Root Cellar, Snake, Night Crow, Memory, and My Papa’s Waltz.
May 17, 1960:
Eleven Studies for Eleven Players for flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, percussion, harp, piano, and three strings by Ned Rorem (36) is performed for the first time, in Baird Hall, Buffalo, conducted by the composer.
August 2, 1960:
Early Voyagers, a ballet by Ned Rorem (36) to a scenario by Truman Capote, is performed for the first time, at Jacob’s Pillow, Lee, Massachusetts.
March 11, 1962:
King Midas, a cantata by Ned Rorem (38) to words of Moss, is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York the composer at the piano.
March 20, 1963:
Incidental music to Dumas’ play The Lady of the Camelias by Ned Rorem (39) is performed for the first time, in Winter Garden Theatre, New York.
April 21, 1963:
Two Songs and a Proverb for chorus and string quartet by Ned Rorem (39) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.
September 30, 1963:
Incidental music to Violett’s adaptation Color of Darkness: An Evening in the World of James Purdy by Ned Rorem (39) is performed for the first time, in Writer’s Stage, New York.
January 1, 1964:
Incidental music to Williams’ play The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore by Ned Rorem (40) is performed for the first time, in Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York.
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.
February 8, 1964:
Four Poems of Tennyson, a cycle for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (40), is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
April 12, 1964:
Poems of Love and the Rain for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (40) to various authors, is performed for the first time, in Wisconsin Union Theatre, Madison the composer at the piano.
May 4, 1964:
Ned Rorem’s (40) Lift Up Your Heads for chorus, brass quintet, and organ to words of Beaumont is performed for the first time, in Washington Cathedral.
December 15, 1964:
Lovers: A Narrative in Ten Scenes for harpsichord, oboe, cello, and percussion by Ned Rorem (41) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
October 28, 1965:
Lions, a symphonic poem by Ned Rorem (42), is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
November 4, 1965:
Miss Julie, an opera by Ned Rorem (42) to words of Elmslie after Strindberg, is performed for the first time, in New York City Center.
September 20, 1966:
Peter Sculthorpe (37) drives from Yale University to Yaddo artists’ colony near Saratoga Springs, New York. There he will meet Ned Rorem (42).
February 24, 1967:
Dancing Ground, a ballet by Ned Rorem (43) is performed for the first time, in New York. The work is based on Rorem’s Eleven Studies for Eleven Players. See 17 May 1960.
April 9, 1967:
Water Music for clarinet, violin, and orchestra by Ned Rorem (43) is performed for the first time, in Oakland.
May 9, 1967:
Hearing, a cycle for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (43) to words of Koch, is performed for the first time, in New York.
May 26, 1967:
Last Day, a monodrama for voice, string quartet, woodwind quartet, and piano by Ned Rorem (43) to words of Harrison, is performed for the first time, in New York.
July 1, 1967:
Ned Rorem’s (43) cycle for voice and orchestra Sun, to various authors, is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, New York.
May 28, 1968:
John Cage (55) is inducted into to the National Institute of Arts and Letters of the American Academy in New York. David Del Tredici (31) and Ned Rorem (44) receive music grants of $2,500.
December 12, 1968:
Some Trees, a cycle for soprano, mezzo-soprano, bass-baritone, and piano by Ned Rorem (45) to words of Ashberry, is performed for the first time, in New York the composer at the keyboard.
April 25, 1969:
Letters from Paris for chorus and small orchestra by Ned Rorem (45) to words of Flanner, is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
May 25, 1969:
From an Unknown Past for chorus by Ned Rorem (45) to words of various 16th century authors is performed for the first time, at Montclair State College, Upper Montclair, New Jersey.
July 23, 1969:
Spiders for harpsichord by Ned Rorem (45) is performed for the first time, in Waterloo, Ontario.
October 19, 1969:
War Scenes, a cycle for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (45) to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, in Constitution Hall, Washington. The work is dedicated “to those who died in Vietnam, both sides, during the composition: 20-30 June 1969.”
December 3, 1970:
Concerto in Six Movements for piano and orchestra by Ned Rorem (47) is performed for the first time, in Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh.
March 24, 1971:
Incidental music to a play after Purdy, The Nephew by Ned Rorem (47) is performed for the first time, in Arena Theatre, Buffalo.
May 21, 1971:
Fables: Five Very Short Operas by Ned Rorem (47) to words of de la Fontaine, (tr. Moore), is performed for the first time, at the University of Tennessee, Martin.
July 24, 1971:
Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters, an opera by Ned Rorem (47) to words of Stein, is performed for the first time, at Temple University, Philadelphia.
November 26, 1971:
Ariel, a cycle for soprano, clarinet, and piano by Ned Rorem (48) to words of Plath, is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
April 26, 1972:
Three vocal works with words by Frank O’Hara are performed for the first time, in the Whitney Museum, New York: From “Sneden’s Landing Variations” for voice and piano by Virgil Thomson (75), I Will Always Love You, a song by Ned Rorem (48), and Three Airs for Frank O’Hara’s Angel for speaker, soprano, female chorus, four instruments, and tape ad lib by Lukas Foss (49).
October 15, 1972:
Day Music for violin and piano by Ned Rorem (48) is performed for the first time, at Iowa State University in Ames.
November 13, 1972:
Last Poems of Wallace Stevens, a cycle for soprano, cello, and piano by Ned Rorem (49) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
November 26, 1972:
Three sacred works by Ned Rorem (49) are performed for the first time at the Chapel of the Intercession, New York: Gloria for soprano, mezzo-soprano, and piano the composer at the keyboard, Canticle of the Lamb for chorus to words of the composer, and Canticles for chorus to liturgical words.
January 12, 1973:
Night Music for violin and piano by Ned Rorem (49) is performed for the first time, in the Library of Congress, Washington.
May 21, 1973:
Solemn Prelude, a fanfare for eleven brass instruments by Ned Rorem (49) is performed for the first time, at the Metropolitan Opera.
November 26, 1973:
Bertha, an opera by Ned Rorem (50) to words of Koch, is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
March 3, 1974:
In Time of Pestilence: Six Short Madrigals on Verses of Thomas Nashe for chorus by Ned Rorem (50) is performed for the first time, in All Faiths Chapel, Kansas State University, Manhattan.
April 20, 1974:
Two works by Ned Rorem (50) are performed for the first time, in Sioux City, Iowa: Laudemus tempus actum for chorus, and Little Prayers for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra to words of Goodman.
April 26, 1974:
Three Motets on Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins for chorus and organ by Ned Rorem (50) are performed for the first time, in Trinity Church, New York.
June 17, 1974:
Missa brevis for solo voices and chorus by Ned Rorem (50) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.
October 11, 1975:
Assembly and Fall for solo oboe, trumpet, timpani, viola, and orchestra by Ned Rorem (51) is performed for the first time, in the Raleigh, North Carolina Memorial Auditorium.
December 5, 1975:
Air Music for orchestra by Ned Rorem (52) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati. See 3 May 1976.
February 29, 1976:
Book of Hours for flute and harp by Ned Rorem (52) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
March 13, 1976:
Eight Etudes for piano by Ned Rorem (52) is performed for the first time, in the Kennedy Center, Washington.
May 3, 1976:
Ned Rorem (52) wins the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Air Music. See 5 December 1975.
May 23, 1976:
Serenade on Five English Poems for solo voice, violin, viola, and piano by Ned Rorem (52) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in the Akron Art Institute.
June 24, 1976:
Sky Music for harp by Ned Rorem (52) is performed for the first time, at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
November 4, 1976:
Women’s Voices, a cycle for solo voice and piano by Ned Rorem (53) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
February 2, 1977:
A Quaker Reader for organ by Ned Rorem (53) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York. See 7 October 1988.
March 15, 1977:
Hearing, an opera by Ned Rorem (53) to words of Holmes and Koch, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting, in Christ and St. Stephen’s Church, New York.
June 18, 1977:
Ned Rorem (53) receives an honorary doctorate from Northwestern University.
October 8, 1977:
Three Slow Pieces for cello and piano by Ned Rorem (53) is performed for the first time, in New York.
January 29, 1978:
Songs of Inanna and Dumuzi for alto and piano by Ned Rorem (54) is performed for the first time, in Van Pelt Auditorium of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
March 1, 1978:
Romeo and Juliet for flute and guitar by Ned Rorem (54) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
August 25, 1978:
Sunday Morning for orchestra by Ned Rorem (54) is performed for the first time, in the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, New York.
December 25, 1978:
Three works for chorus by Ned Rorem (55) are performed for the first time, in St. Stephens’, New York: O magnum mysterium, The Oxen to words of Hardy, and Shout the Glad Tidings to words of the Muhlenberg Hymnal.
June 5, 1979:
Arise, Shine for chorus and organ by Ned Rorem (55) to words from the Bible is performed for the first time, in Trinity Church, Hartford.
October 30, 1979:
The Nantucket Songs for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (56) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in the Library of Congress, Washington the composer at the keyboard.
July 25, 1980:
Suite for guitar by Ned Rorem (56) is performed for the first time, at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
July 27, 1980:
The Santa Fe Songs, a cycle for baritone and piano quartet by Ned Rorem (56) to words of Bynner, is performed for the first time, in Greer Garson Theatre, College of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the composer at the piano.
February 22, 1981:
After Reading Shakespeare for cello by Ned Rorem (57) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
March 28, 1981:
Back to Life for counter-tenor and double bass by Ned Rorem (57) to words of Gunn, is performed for the first time, in Trinity Episcopal Church, Hartford, Connecticut.
November 13, 1981:
Remembering Tommy for piano, cello, and orchestra by Ned Rorem (58) is performed for the first time.
February 14, 1982:
Winter Pages for clarinet, bassoon, piano, violin, and cello by Ned Rorem (58) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
June 11, 1982:
After a Long Silence, a cycle for soprano, oboe, and string orchestra by Ned Rorem (58) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Miami, Florida.
June 29, 1982:
Views from the Oldest House for organ by Ned Rorem (58) is performed for the first time, in All Souls Unitarian Church, Washington.
December 12, 1982:
Praises for the Nativity for vocal soloists, chorus, and organ by Ned Rorem (59) to words from the Book of Common Prayer is performed for the first time, in the Church of the Annunciation, New York.
April 27, 1983:
Ned Rorem’s (59) setting of Three Calamus Poems by Walt Whitman for voice and piano is performed for the first time, in New York.
September 11, 1983:
A Whitman Cantata for male chorus, brass, and timpani by Ned Rorem (59) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.
February 14, 1984:
Picnic on the Marne for saxophone and piano by Ned Rorem (60) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
March 22, 1984:
Today and tomorrow are declared “Ned Rorem (60) Days” in Chicago by Mayor Harold Washington.
May 5, 1984:
Dances for cello and piano by Ned Rorem (60) is performed for the first time, in Detroit.
May 13, 1984:
Ned Rorem (60) receives a plaque from the Fund for Human Dignity for educating the public about the lives of lesbians and gay men.
November 16, 1984:
Pilgrim Strangers for six male voices by Ned Rorem (61) to words of Whitman is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.
January 4, 1985:
An American Oratorio for tenor, chorus, and orchestra by Ned Rorem (61) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh.
March 19, 1985:
Ned Rorem’s (61) Organ Concerto is performed for the first time, in Portland, Maine.
March 30, 1985:
Ned Rorem’s (61) Violin Concerto is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Springfield, Massachusetts.
August 11, 1985:
Septet: Scenes from Childhood for string quartet, oboe, horn, and piano by Ned Rorem (61) is performed for the first time, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the composer at the keyboard.
October 31, 1985:
String Symphony by Ned Rorem (62) is performed for the first time, in Atlanta.
March 31, 1986:
End of Summer: Remembrance of Things Past for clarinet, violin, and piano by Ned Rorem (62) is performed for the first time, in Patkar Hall, Bombay.
April 12, 1986:
Frolic: Fanfare for Orchestra by Ned Rorem (62) is performed for the first time, in Jones Hall, Houston.
April 12, 1987:
Homer: Three Scenes from The Illiad for chorus, flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, piano, and three strings by Ned Rorem (63) is performed for the first time, at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
June 26, 1987:
Three Poems of Beaudelaire for chorus by Ned Rorem (63) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.
July 19, 1987:
Te Deum for chorus, two trumpets, two trombones, and organ by Ned Rorem (63) to the Book of Common Prayer is performed for the first time, in Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis.
August 9, 1987:
Leonard Bernstein (68) is presented with the Edward MacDowell Medal in Peterborough, New Hampshire. The speech is delivered by Ned Rorem (63).
September 16, 1987:
American Love Songs for chorus by Ned Rorem (63) to words of Kuchak is performed for the first time, in Scottish Rite Auditorium, Los Angeles.
January 28, 1988:
Death of Moses for chorus and organ by Ned Rorem (64) to words from the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
April 23, 1988:
Schuyler Songs, a cycle for solo voice and orchestra by Ned Rorem (64), is performed for the first time, in Fargo, North Dakota.
August 6, 1988:
Bright Music for flute, two violins, cello, and piano by Ned Rorem (64) is performed for the first time, in the Presbyterian Church in Bridgehampton, New York.
October 7, 1988:
Ned Rorem’s (64) Quaker Reader, in the version for orchestra, is performed for the first time, in Tilles Center, New York City. See 2 February 1977.
October 16, 1988:
Praising Charles: Fanfare and Flourish for two trumpets, two trombones, and organ by Ned Rorem (64) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
April 19, 1989:
Anna La Bonne for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (65) to words of Cocteau is performed for the first time, in Bing Theatre of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
May 4, 1989:
Fantasy and Polka for orchestra by Ned Rorem (65) is performed for the first time, in Evian, France.
October 30, 1989:
Organbook I by Ned Rorem (66) is performed for the first time, in New York.
July 7, 1990:
Organbook II and Organbook III by Ned Rorem (66) are performed for the first time, on Nantucket.
July 11, 1990:
Diversions for brass quintet by Ned Rorem (66) is performed for the first time, on Nantucket.
July 29, 1990:
The Auden Poems by Ned Rorem (66) is performed for the first time, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
November 8, 1990:
Goodbye My Fancy for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Ned Rorem (67) to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
February 8, 1991:
Spring Music for piano trio by Ned Rorem (67) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall for the one hundredth anniversary of the hall.
June 9, 1991:
String Quartet no.3 by Ned Rorem (67) is performed for the first time, for the 50th season of the June Festival of Albuquerque.
November 14, 1991:
Swords and Plowshares, an oratorio for solo voices and orchestra by Ned Rorem (68) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
March 27, 1992:
Festival Alleluia for chorus by Ned Rorem (68) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
October 4, 1992:
Spirit Divine for chorus and piano by Ned Rorem (68) to words of Longfellow is performed for the first time, in First Parish Church, Lexington, Massachusetts.
October 4, 1992:
Triptych for chamber orchestra by Ned Rorem (68) is performed for the first time, in Columbus, Ohio.
November 22, 1992:
Their Lonely Betters by Ned Rorem (69) to words of Auden is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.
December 3, 1992:
O God, My Heart is Ready for chorus and organ by Ned Rorem (69) to words of Psalm 108 is performed for the first time, in St. Thomas’ Church, New York.
February 4, 1993:
Concerto for piano-left hand and orchestra by Ned Rorem (69) is performed for the first time, at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia.
May 2, 1993:
Christ is made the Sure Foundation for chorus and organ by Ned Rorem (69) is performed for the first time, in North Carolina.
October 10, 1993:
Concertino for harpsichord and seven instruments by Ned Rorem (69) is performed for the first time at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, 46 years after it was composed.
January 27, 1994:
Concerto for english horn and orchestra by Ned Rorem (70) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York. It was commissioned for the 150th anniversary season of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
October 13, 1994:
Several works are premiered in Merkin Hall, New York: Fragment for string quartet by Elliott Carter (85), Ned Rorem’s (70) Somewhere... for voice and piano the composer at the keyboard, Base for piano, left hand by Louis Andriessen (55), Quartet Movement in Memoriam DH by Robin Holloway (50), Spirit Quartet for string quartet and electronics by Tod Machover (40), and Music, minus one for string quartet and one other musician by Steven Mackey (38).
October 30, 1994:
Songs of Sadness, a cycle for baritone, clarinet, cello, and guitar by Ned Rorem (71) to words of Strand, Merrill, Hopkins, and Burns, is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
January 30, 1995:
Three Women for narrator and piano by Ned Rorem (71) to words of Rhys, Hardwick, and Colette is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street Y, New York. Also premiered is Robin Holloway’s (51) The Blackbird and the Snail op.81 for narrator and piano to words of de la Mare.
August 25, 1995:
Present Laughter for chorus, two trumpets, french horn, trombone, and piano by Ned Rorem (71) to words of Shakespeare, Donne, King, and Blake is performed for the first time, at the Kennedy Center, Washington.
October 8, 1995:
String Quartet no.4 by Ned Rorem (71) is performed for the first time, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
November 3, 1995:
More than a Day for counter tenor and chamber orchestra by Ned Rorem (72) to words of Larson, is performed for the first time.
January 22, 1998:
Evidence of Things Not Seen, a song cycle for four voices and piano by Ned Rorem (74) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, New York. It was commissioned by the New York Festival of Song and the Library of Congress.
September 17, 1998:
Autumn Music by Ned Rorem (74) is performed for the first time, at the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.
October 15, 1998:
Double Concerto for violin, cello, and orchestra by Ned Rorem (74) is performed for the first time, in Indianapolis.
January 29, 2002:
Nine Episodes for Four Players for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano by Ned Rorem (78) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Hall, New York.
May 4, 2002:
Another Sleep, for baritone and piano by Ned Rorem (78) is performed for the first time, at Fairfield University, Connecticut.
May 5, 2002:
The official premiere of Another Sleep for baritone and piano by Ned Rorem (78) takes place in Lincoln Center, New York.
July 27, 2002:
Aftermath, a cycle for voice, violin, cello, and piano by Ned Rorem (78), is performed for the first time, in Bennett-Gordon Hall, Chicago.
August 6, 2002:
Pas de trois for oboe, violin, and piano by Ned Rorem (78) is performed for the first time, in Saratoga Springs, New York.
March 28, 2003:
Cello Concerto by Ned Rorem (79) is performed for the first time, in Kansas City.
March 28, 2003:
United States for string quartet by Ned Rorem (79) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Space, New York.
August 6, 2003:
The Unquestioned Answer for flute, two violins, cello, and piano by Ned Rorem (79) is performed for the first time, in the Presbyterian Church of Binghamton, New York.
October 29, 2003:
Four Colors for clarinet and piano by Ned Rorem (80) is performed for the first time, in New York.
December 3, 2003:
Ned Rorem (80) is awarded the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award in the Walter Reade Theatre in Lincoln Center, New York. He is handed the award by John Corigliano (65).
December 4, 2003:
A Flute Concerto by Ned Rorem (80) is performed for the first time, in Verizon Hall, Philadelphia.
January 12, 2004:
Jean-René Gehan, Cultural Counselor for France, presents Ned Rorem (80) with the medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters at the French consulate in New York.
March 27, 2004:
The Mallet Concerto by Ned Rorem (80) is performed for the first time, in New York.
December 13, 2004:
Ned Rorem: Word and Music, a film by Jim Dowell and John Kolomvakis, is shown for the first time, at Florence Gould Hall, New York.
December 16, 2005:
Emily’s Aria from Ned Rorem’s (82) unperformed opera Our Town is performed for the first time, in St. Matthew and St. Timothy’s Church, New York.
February 24, 2006:
Our Town, a chamber opera by Ned Rorem (82) to words of McClatchy after Wilder, is performed for the first time, at Indiana University, Bloomington.
April 9, 2006:
Ode to Man for chorus by Ned Rorem (82) to words of Sophocles (tr. Barnes) is performed for the first time, in Graham Chapel, Washington University, St. Louis.
September 13, 2006:
For Marian for tuba and piano by Ned Rorem (82) is performed for the first time, in Martin Theatre, Highland Park, Illinois.
January 21, 2007:
Lullaby for two violins and piano by Ned Rorem (83) is performed for the first time, in Weill Recital Hall, New York.
March 29, 2007:
Four Prayers for flute and piano by Ned Rorem (83) is performed for the first time, in Weill Hall, New York.
April 21, 2007:
Afternoon On A Hill, four pieces for chorus and piano by Ned Rorem (83), is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street YMHA, New York.
March 27, 2008:
The Stars Have Not Dealt for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (84) to words of Houseman is performed for the first time, at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
June 9, 2008:
A Little Fantasy for cello and piano by Ned Rorem (84) is performed for the first time, in New York.
November 1, 2008:
Songs Old and New for voice and orchestra by Ned Rorem (85) is performed for the first time, in Germantown, Tennessee.
November 14, 2008:
Two Shakespeare Poems for chorus by Ned Rorem (85) is performed for the first time, in Woolsey Hall, Yale University.
May 11, 2009:
Three Poems of Edna St. Vincent Millay for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (85) is performed for the first time, in Weill Recital Hall, New York.
September 27, 2009:
Four Sonnets of Shakespeare for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (85) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
March 14, 2010:
Sonnet 144 (Two Loves I Have) for two solo voices and piano by Ned Rorem (86) to words of Shakespeare is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
October 21, 2010:
Sonnet 147 for voices and piano by Ned Rorem (86) is performed for the first time, in Holywell Music Room, Oxford, Great Britain.
January 17, 2011:
Psalm 110 for chorus by Ned Rorem (87) is performed for the first time, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York.
November 5, 2011:
A Bridge for Marc for piano by Ned Rorem (88) is performed for the first time, at the Tenri Cultural Institute, New York.
October 29, 2013:
How Like a Winter for mezzo-soprano, double bass, and piano by Ned Rorem (90) to words of Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
July 5, 2015:
Be Not Afeard, a song for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (91), is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lennox, Massachusetts.