A CHRONOLOGICAL VIEW OF WESTERN MUSIC HISTORY IN THE CONTEXT OF WORLD EVENTS

Frederic Rzewski

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April 13, 1938: Frederic Anthony Rzewski is born in Westfield, Massachusetts, USA, the son of Anthony Rzewski and Emma Buyniski.
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June 14, 1964: Plus/Minus no.14 for unspecified instrumentation by Karlheinz Stockhausen (35) is performed for the first time, in Rome. The premiere is played on two pianos by Cornelius Cardew (28) and Frederic Rzewski (26).
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May 19, 1970: Anthony Braxton (24) meets Frederic Rzewski (32) and drummer Jack DeJohnette in New York. Rzewski asks him to join Musica Elettronica Viva, which he will do. DeJohnette will introduce Braxton to Chick Corea. Braxton will join Corea’s group Circle.
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July 16, 1972: Five Pianos for five pianos, one doubling celesta, by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in Berlin. The five pianists are John Cage (59), Cornelius Cardew (36), Frederic Rzewski (34), David Tudor, and the composer. There is a confrontation between Cage and Feldman when Cage misunderstands the instructions and plays 20 minutes beyond the other pianists.
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October 24, 1972: Accompaniments for piano with voice and percussion by Christian Wolff (38) is performed for the first time, in New York by Frederic Rzewski (34).
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January 27, 1974: No Progress Without Struggle, a cycle for solo voice and chamber ensemble by Frederic Rzewski (35) to words of Douglass, is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
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September 29, 1974: From today through 2 October, the Exercises 1-14 for two or more players by Christian Wolff (40) are performed completely for the first time, in Berlin.  Among the performers are Cornelius Cardew (38), Gordon Mumma (39), Frederic Rzewski (36), and the composer.  There is also the first complete performance of Wolff's Songs.  See 9 March 1974 and 26 May 1974.
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February 7, 1976: Variations on "The People United Will Never Be Defeated" for piano by Frederic Rzewski (37) is performed for the first time, in the Kennedy Center, Washington.
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March 19, 1977: Instrumental Studies by Frederick Rzewski (38) is performed for the first time, in Paris, directed by the composer.
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September 13, 1980: Over the next three days, Anthony Braxton’s (35) Composition 95 for two pianos is recorded in Milan by Frederic Rzewski (42) and Ursula Oppens.
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October 12, 1980: Exercises 19&20 for two pianos by Christian Wolff (46) is performed for the first time, in London by Ursula Oppens and Frederic Rzewski (42).
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December 10, 1988: The Triumph of Death, an oratorio for four voices and string quartet by Frederic Rzewski (50) to words of Weiss, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de la Place, Liège.
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November 4, 1994: Two Pianists by Christian Wolff (60) is performed for the first time, in Vienna by Ursula Oppens and Frederic Rzewski (56).
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January 30, 2004: Ninety-six for quintet by Frederick Rzewski (65) is performed for the first time, at a concert to honor Elliott Carter (95) at the Angel Orensanz Foundation Center, New York. Also premiered is for ec for string quartet by Christian Wolff (69).