April 5, 1869:
Albert Charles Paul Marie Roussel is born in Tourcoing, French Empire, 15 km north of Lille on the Belgian border, the only child of Albert Roussel and Louise (née) Roussel, wealthy industrialists.
December 25, 1892:
Andante for violin, viola, cello, and organ by Albert Roussel (23) is performed for the first time, in the Church of the Trinity, Cherbourg.
June 14, 1894:
Albert Roussel (25) resigns from the French Navy. He has decided to become a musician.
June 23, 1894:
The French Navy accepts the resignation of Albert Roussel (25). He plans to pursue a career in composition.
May 3, 1898:
Two Madrigals for chorus by Albert Roussel (29) are performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris conducted by the composer.
February 2, 1901:
Horn Quintet by Albert Roussel (31) is performed for the first time, in a performance of the Société National de Musique, in a mimed production in the Salle des Fêtes, Paris.
May 5, 1902:
Sonata for violin and piano by Albert Roussel (33) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 14, 1904:
Albert Roussel’s (35) Piano Trio op.2 is performed for the first time, at the home of Mme Taravent, Paris. See 4 February 1905.
May 17, 1904:
Works by three contemporary French composers are performed for the first time at the Nouveau Théâtre, Paris. They are the symphonic prelude Résurrection op.4 by Albert Roussel (35), Shéhérazade for solo voice and orchestra by Maurice Ravel (29) to words of Klingsor, and Choral varié for saxophone and orchestra, by Vincent d’Indy (53).
December 15, 1904:
The Soir d’été, the third movement of Le poème de la forêt op.7 for orchestra by Albert Roussel (35), is performed for the first time in Théâtre Nouveau, Paris. See 10 November 1907 and 22 March 1908.
February 4, 1905:
Albert Roussel’s (35) Piano Trio op.2 is given its first public performance, at the Salle Pleyel, Paris. See 14 April 1904.
April 18, 1905:
The symphonic sketch Vendanges by Albert Roussel (36) is performed for the first time, in the Nouveau-Théâtre, Paris.
February 17, 1906:
The piano work Rustiques op.5 by Albert Roussel (36) is performed for the first time, at the Salle Pleyel, Paris.
April 10, 1906:
Divertissement op.6 for wind quintet and piano by Albert Roussel (37) is performed for the first time, at the Salle des Agriculteurs, Paris.
April 21, 1906:
Quatre poèmes op.3 for solo voice and piano by Albert Roussel (37), to words of de Régnier, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Pleyel, Paris.
May 29, 1907:
A banquet is given by Jules Ecorcheville in Paris marking the end of the five “historic concerts” of Russian music. Present in the same room are Nikolai Rimsky-Korasakov (63), Gabriel Fauré (62), Vincent d’Indy (56), Alyeksandr Glazunov (41), Albert Roussel (38), Florent Schmitt (36), Maurice Ravel (32), Fyodor Chaliapin, and Sergey Diaghilev.
June 28, 1907:
The first of the Deux Poèmes chinois op.12, Ode à un jeune gentilhomme, by Albert Roussel (38) to words of Roché after Giles, is performed for the first time, in Le Havre.
November 10, 1907:
The fourth movement of Albert Roussel’s (38) Le poème de la forêt op.7 for orchestra, entitled Faunes et Dryades, is performed for the first time, in Paris. See 15 December 1904 and 22 March 1908.
January 11, 1908:
Quatre Poèmes for voice and piano op.8 by Albert Roussel (38), to words of Régnier, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Erard, Paris, the composer at the keyboard.
March 22, 1908:
Albert Roussel’s (38) Symphony no.1 “Le poème de la forêt” op.7 is given its first complete performance, at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels. See 15 December 1904 and 10 November 1907.
April 7, 1908:
Albert Roussel (39) marries Blanche Preisach.
June 15, 1908:
A diploma of this date states that “Monseiur Satie, Erik (42), a pupil on the course of counterpoint, has passed the end-of-year examinations with distinction and that he fulfils the conditions required for devoting himself exclusively to the study of composition.” The diploma is signed by Vincent d’Indy (57), Albert Roussel (39), and the secretary of the Schola Cantorum, Paris.
October 9, 1908:
Violin Sonata no.1 op.11 by Albert Roussel (39) is performed for the first time, at the Salon d’Automne, Paris.
December 16, 1908:
Incidental music to Jean-Aubry’s play Le marchand de sable qui passe op.13 by Albert Roussel (39) is performed for the first time, in the Salle de l’Enseignement, Le Havre.
February 12, 1909:
Amoureux séparées, the second of the Deux Poèmes chinois op.12 for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (39) to words of Roché after Giles, is performed for the first time, in Le Havre.
February 14, 1909:
Flammes op.10 for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (39) to words of Jean-Aubry is performed for the first time, in Le Havre, the composer at the keyboard. Also premiered is Amoureux séparés, the second of Roussel’s Deux Poèmes chinois op.12 for voice and piano to words of Roché, the composer at the keyboard.
January 28, 1911:
The Suite in f# minor op.14 for piano by Albert Roussel (41) is performed for the first time, at the Salle Pleyel, Paris.
March 11, 1911:
Albert Roussel’s (41) La ménace op.9 for voice and orchestra, to words of Régnier, is performed for the first time, in Paris.
May 18, 1912:
Evocations op.15 for alto, tenor, baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Albert Roussel (43) to words of Calvocoressi, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Gaveau, Paris.
January 18, 1913:
Albert Roussel’s (43) Sonatine op.16 for piano is performed for the first time, in the Salle Erard, Paris.
April 3, 1913:
Le festin de l’araignée, a ballet pantomime by Albert Roussel (43) to a scenario of Voisins after Fabre, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre des Arts, Paris.
December 2, 1918:
Incidental music to Méral’s play Le Dit des Jeux du Monde by Arthur Honegger (26) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. It causes a scandal, complete with whistles, cheers, clapping, screaming, and fighting. Among the audience are Maurice Ravel (43), Florent Schmitt (48), Albert Roussel (49), Pablo Picasso, and Jean Cocteau. Honegger is now famous.
April 6, 1919:
Impromptu for harp op.21 by Albert Roussel (50) is performed for the first time, at the home of Mlle. Goupil, Paris. See 14 December 1919.
December 27, 1919:
Four songs by Albert Roussel (50) are performed for the first time, at the Sallee des Agriculteurs, Paris: Deux mélodies op.19 to words of Jean-Aubry and Oliphant, and Deux mélodies op.20 to words of Chalupt. See 9 December 1928.
May 15, 1920:
Doute, a piano work by Albert Roussel (51), is performed for the first time, by the Société National de Musique, Paris.
January 24, 1921:
Three new works are performed for the first time, in the Salle des agriculteurs, Paris: Homenaje for guitar by Manuel de Falla (44) and L’accueil des muses for piano by Albert Roussel (51), both in honor of Claude Debussy (†2), and Premier menuet for piano by Erik Satie (54). The Falla piece is played on harp-lute. See 8 March 1921.
October 29, 1921:
Albert Roussel’s (52) symphonic poem Pour une fête de printemps op.22 is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
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.
March 4, 1922:
Symphony no.2 op.23 by Albert Roussel (52) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. It is not well received.
June 1, 1923:
Padmâvatî op.18, an opera-ballet by Albert Roussel (54) to words of Laloy, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.
February 6, 1924:
Madrigal aux muses op.25 for female chorus by Albert Roussel (54) to words of Bernard, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Pleyel, Paris. On the same program is the premiere of As It Fell Upon A Day for soprano, flute, and clarinet by Aaron Copland (23) to words of Barnefield.
May 15, 1924:
The first of the Deux poèmes de Ronsard op.26/1 for voice and flute by Albert Roussel (55), is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris. Also premiered is the Chanson de Ronsard for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (32). See 28 May 1924, 24 January 1925.
May 28, 1924:
The second of the Deux poèmes de Ronsard op.26/2 for voice and flute by Albert Roussel (55) is performed for the first time, in Paris. See 15 May 1924.
January 17, 1925:
Joueurs de flûte op.27 for flute and piano by Albert Roussel (55) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, Paris.
April 25, 1925:
Ségovia op.29 for guitar by Albert Roussel (56) is performed for the first time, in Madrid.
July 1, 1925:
Incidental music to Reinach’s (after Sophocles) play La naissance de la lyre op.24 by Albert Roussel (56) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.
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 15, 1925:
Two works by Albert Roussel (56) are performed for the first time at the Salle Gaveau, Paris: the Second Violin Sonata op.28 and the Sérénade for flute, violin, viola, cello, and harp op.30.
January 24, 1926:
Suite no.2 from Albert Roussel’s (56) opera-ballet Padmâvati is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
May 17, 1926:
Sur une jeune fille op.31/3 and Sur une songe op.32/3, both songs for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (57) to words translated by de Lisle, are performed for the first time, in the Salle Erard, Paris. See 30 May 1927.
January 21, 1927:
Albert Roussel’s (57) Suite for Orchestra op.33 is performed for the first time, in Boston.
May 5, 1927:
Albert Roussel’s (58) Concerto for Small Orchestra op.34 is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.
May 23, 1927:
Sur une poésie de Toulet op.104/1 for voice and piano by Charles Koechlin (59) is performed for the first time, in Salle des agriculteurs, Paris. Also premiered is Réponse d’une épouse sage for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (58) to words of Roché (after Giles), Maurice Ravel (52) at the piano.
May 30, 1927:
Two sets of Odes anacréontiques for voice and piano, opp.31 & 32, by Albert Roussel (58) to words translated by de Lisle, are performed completely for the first time, in Paris. See 17 May 1926.
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.
April 21, 1928:
Le bardit des francs for male chorus, brass, and percussion by Albert Roussel (59) to words of Chateaubriand is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.
June 7, 1928:
Albert Roussel’s (59) Piano Concerto op.36 is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.
July 5, 1928:
Albert Roussel’s (59) song Des fleurs font une broderie op.35/1 to words of Li-Ho, (tr. Roché, after Giles), is performed for the first time, at Fontainebleau.
December 9, 1928:
Deux melodies op.20 for voice and orchestra by Albert Roussel (59) to words of Chalupt is performed for the first time, in Paris. See 27 December 1919.
December 20, 1928:
Vocalise no.1 for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (59) is performed for the first time, in Paris, the composer at the keyboard.
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.
April 11, 1929:
The first and third movements of Albert Roussel’s (60) Little Suite op.39 for orchestra are performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris. See 6 February 1930.
April 13, 1929:
Two works for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (60) are performed for the first time, in the Salle l’Ancien Conservatoire, Paris, to celebrate the composer’s 60th birthday: Vocalise no.2 and O bon vin, ou as-tu crû?, to anonymous words. On the same program is the first performance of Arthur Honegger’s (37) piano work Hommage à Albert Roussel.
April 18, 1929:
Jazz dans la nuit for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (60) to words of Dommange, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Gaveau, Paris. Also premiered is Pièce brève sur le nom d’Albert Roussel for piano by Francis Poulenc (30).
April 25, 1929:
A setting of Psalm 80 for tenor, chorus, and orchestra and Fanfare pour un sacre païen for brass and percussion, both by Albert Roussel (60), are performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.
October 29, 1929:
The Trio for flute, viola, and cello op.40 by Albert Roussel (60) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
February 6, 1930:
The first complete performance of Petite Suite op.39 for orchestra by Albert Roussel (60) takes place in Paris. See 11 April 1929.
May 18, 1930:
Albert Roussel’s (61) Prelude and Fughetta op.41 for organ is performed for the first time, in the Chapelle des Dominicaines, Paris.
October 24, 1930:
Symphony no.3 by Albert Roussel (61) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
May 19, 1931:
Deux idylles op.44 for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (62) to words of Theocritus and Moskhos (tr. de Lisle), are performed for the first time, privately at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. See 5 March 1932.
May 22, 1931:
Albert Roussel’s (62) ballet Bacchus et Ariane, to a scenario by Hermant, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. See 2 April 1933 and 2 February 1934.
March 5, 1932:
Deux idylles op.44 for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (62) to words of Theocritus and Moskhos (tr. de Lisle) is performed publicly for the first time, in Paris. See 19 May 1931.
March 16, 1932:
Albert Roussel’s (62) setting of Joyce’s A Flower Given to My Daughter for voice and piano is performed for the first time, in London.
December 9, 1932:
String Quartet op.45 by Albert Roussel (63) is performed for the first time, at the Palais des Beaux-Arts, in Brussels.
April 2, 1933:
The first suite from the ballet Bacchus et Ariane by Albert Roussel (63) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris. See 22 May 1931.
July 14, 1933:
A Glorious Day op.48 for brass by Albert Roussel (64) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
February 2, 1934:
The second suite from Albert Roussel’s (64) ballet Bacchus et Ariane is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris. See 22 May 1931.
April 14, 1934:
Three Pieces for piano op.49 by Albert Roussel (65) are performed for the first time, in the École Normale, Paris.
May 4, 1934:
Deux poèmes chinois op.47, for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (65) to words of Roché after Giles are performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 19, 1934:
Sinfonietta for strings by Albert Roussel (65) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.
December 11, 1934:
Coeur en péril op.50/2 for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (65) to words of Chalupt is performed for the first time, in Paris.
December 17, 1934:
Andante and Scherzo for flute and piano op.51 by Albert Roussel (65) is performed for the first time, in Milan.
February 23, 1935:
Prelude and Fugue op.46 for piano by Albert Roussel (65) is performed for the first time, in Salle Chopin, Paris.
July 31, 1935:
Aeneas, a ballet by Albert Roussel (66) to a story by Weterings, is performed for the first time, in the Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels. The press are ecstatic.
October 19, 1935:
Symphony no.4 by Albert Roussel (66) is performed for the first time, in the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
January 24, 1936:
Deux mélodies op.55 for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (66) to words of Ville is performed for the first time, in 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 27, 1936:
Albert Roussel (67) is stricken with an attack of angina. He will undergo a long recovery period in Nice.
November 14, 1936:
Albert Roussel’s (67) opera-bouffe Le testament de la tante Caroline to words of Nino (in a Czech translation) is performed for the first time, in Olomouc. See 11 March 1937.
December 12, 1936:
Rapsodie flamande for orchestra by Albert Roussel (67) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.
February 6, 1937:
Concertino for cello and orchestra by Albert Roussel (67) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris.
March 11, 1937:
Le testament de la tante Caroline, an opéra-bouffe by Albert Roussel (67) to words of Nino, is performed in French for the first time, in Salle Favart, Paris. See 14 November 1936.
August 13, 1937:
Albert Roussel (68) suffers a heart attack at Royan.
August 23, 1937:
16:00 Albert Charles Paul Marie Roussel dies of a heart attack in Royan, Republic of France, aged 68 years, four months, and 18 days.
August 27, 1937:
The mortal remains of Albert Roussel are laid to rest in Cimètiere de Varengeville, Varengeville-sur-Mer, Seine-Maritime, overlooking the sea.
November 30, 1937:
Two works by Albert Roussel (†0) are performed for the first time, privately in Paris: Andante for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, and Duo for bassoon and cello (or double bass).
April 4, 1938:
Trio no.2 for violin, viola, and cello op.58 by Albert Roussel (†0) is performed for the first time, in the École Normale, Paris a day before the 69th anniversary of his birth.
October 16, 1969:
Fuge for piano by Albert Roussel (†32) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of RTB 3e Programme originating in Brussels, 71 years after it was composed, during the centennial of the composer’s birth.
December 30, 1977:
Les Rêves for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (†40) to words of Silvestre is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of RTB 3e Programme originating in Brussels, about 78 years after it was composed.
November 29, 1987:
Pendant l’attente for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (†50) to words of Catulle Mendès is performed for the first time, in Saint-Étienne, France, about 88 years after it was composed.
November 28, 1989:
Tristesse au jardin for voice and piano by Albert Roussel (†52) to words of Tailhade is performed for the first time, in the auditorium of the Conservatoire, Tourcoing at least 92 years after it was composed.