November 22, 1925:
Gunther Alexander Schuller is born in Lenox Hill Hospital at 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, New York, USA, the first of two children born to Arthur Ernst Schuller, a violin player in the New York Philharmonic, and Elsie Bernartz. Both are German immigrants.
May 6, 1937:
After an ocean crossing from Frankfurt, the German Zeppelin Hindenburg is destroyed in a ball of flame while mooring at Lakehurst, New Jersey. 36 people are killed. An hour before the disaster, as it passed over Queens, Gunther Schuller (11) and his family viewed the airship from the roof of their apartment house in Woodside.
July 19, 1942:
Arturo Toscanini, by the composer's wish, conducts the American premiere of the Symphony no.7 “Leningrad” by Dmitry Shostakovich (35) over the airwaves of the NBC radio network, originating in Studio 8-H of Radio City, New York. Hired as an extra horn player for the concert is Gunther Schuller (16). Among the radio listeners is Igor Stravinsky (60). See 1 June 1942.
January 8, 1943:
On tour in Los Angeles with the Ballet Theatre orchestra, french honr player Gunther Schuller (17) requests and receives the autograph of Igor Stravinsky (60) on his copy of Le Sacre du Printemps.
October 16, 1943:
At a performance of the Cincinnati Orchestra, horn player Gunther Schuller (17) first sees Marjorie Black, in the first balcony. He is smitten. They will marry in 1948.
November 13, 1944:
French horn player Gunther Schuller (18) first meets Leonard Bernstein (26) when Bernstein steps in for the ailing Eugene Goosens at a Cincinnati Orchestra concert in Parkersburg, West Virginia. After the concert, Bernstein calls Schuller to his dressing room to compliment him on playing the horn solo in the Firebird as Stravinsky (62) intended.
April 6, 1945:
Concerto for french horn and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (19) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati, the composer as soloist.
November 26, 1945:
Gunther Schuller (20) enters upon duties as third french horn with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra in New York.
June 8, 1948:
Gunther Schuller (22) marries Marjorie Black, a music student, daughter of the owner of a chain of clothing stores and other real estate, in her family's home at 1019 Fifth Avenue South in Fargo, North Dakota.
February 2, 1950:
The first three movements of the Symphony for brass and percussion by Gunther Schuller (24) are performed for the first time, at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
March 13, 1950:
Gunther Schuller (24) participates in the last of three recording sessions in New York of the Miles Davis Nonet for Birth of the Cool.
October 30, 1950:
The Miles Davis Nonet, including french horn player Gunther Schuller (24), performs for the last time, at the Birdland jazz club in New York.
October 23, 1953:
Duo Sonata for clarinet and bass clarinet by Gunther Schuller (27) is performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre of Columbia University. Also premiered is Schuller’s Recitative and Rondo for violin and piano.
August 19, 1954:
Gunther Schuller’s (28) dance music The Traitor is performed for the first time, in New London, Connecticut.
November 19, 1955:
Twelve by Eleven for eleven players by Gunther Schuller (29) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
March 29, 1957:
String Quartet no.1 by Gunther Schuller (31) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
April 7, 1957:
Little Fantasy for chamber orchestra by Gunther Schuller (31) is performed for the first time, in Englewood, New Jersey.
June 7, 1957:
Transformation for winds, percussion, harp, and piano by Gunther Schuller (31) is performed for the first time, at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts.
October 6, 1957:
Music for violin, piano, and percussion by Gunther Schuller (31) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York conducted by the composer.
November 30, 1958:
Adagio for flute and string trio by Gunther Schuller (33) is performed for the first time, in Carl Fischer Hall, New York.
September 25, 1959:
Conversations for string quintet and jazz quartet by Gunther Schuller (33) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York, the composer conducting.
November 27, 1959:
Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (34) is performed for the first time, in Minneapolis.
December 26, 1959:
Fantasy Quartet for four cellos by Gunther Schuller (34) is performed for the first time, in New York.
December 31, 1959:
Contours for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (34) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati, the composer conducting.
January 2, 1960:
Concertino for jazz quartet and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (34) is performed for the first time, in Baltimore.
January 15, 1960:
Spectra for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (34) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York. It was performed privately yesterday in Carnegie Hall.
April 8, 1960:
Two works by Gunther Schuller (34) are performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York: Curtain Raiser for flute, alto clarinet, horn, and piano, and Quartet for four doublebasses. The composer plays horn in Curtain Raiser.
May 16, 1960:
Three works for chamber ensembles by Gunther Schuller (34) are performed for the first time, in the Circle on the Square Theatre, New York, conducted by the composer: Abstraction, Variants on a Theme of John Lewis, and Variants on a Theme of Thelonius Monk.
October 23, 1960:
Lines and Contrasts for 16 horns by Gunther Schuller (34) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
January 4, 1961:
Variants, a ballet by Gunther Schuller (35) to a scenario by Ballanchine, is performed for the first time, in City Center, New York the composer conducting.
January 13, 1961:
Music for brass quintet by Gunther Schuller (35) is performed for the first time at the Library of Congress, Washington.
October 22, 1961:
Three works for orchestra are performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen: Atmosphères by Györgi Ligeti (38), Epifanie by Luciano Berio (35), and Contrasts by Gunther Schuller (35). The audience requires that Atmosphères by encored.
May 29, 1962:
Movements for flute and string orchestra by Gunther Schuller (36) is performed for the first time, in Dortmund.
May 30, 1962:
Journey Into Jazz for narrator, jazz quartet, and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (36) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
June 27, 1962:
Composition for Carillon by Gunther Schuller (36) is performed for the first time, at the University of Chicago.
August 1, 1962:
Six Renaissance Lyrics for tenor and seven instruments by Gunther Schuller (36) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
October 26, 1962:
Concerto for piano and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (36) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.
November 9, 1962:
Gunther Schuller (36) begins his Twentieth Century Innovations concert series at Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
December 1, 1962:
A concert setting of the music to the film Journey to the Stars by Gunther Schuller (37) is performed for the first time, in Toledo conducted by the composer.
January 17, 1963:
Capriccio for tuba and chamber orchestra by Gunther Schuller (37) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York, conducted by the composer.
March 13, 1963:
Densities no.1 for clarinet, harp, vibraphone, and double bass by Gunther Schuller (37) is performed for the first time, in New York.
March 29, 1963:
Composition in Three Parts for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (37) is performed for the first time, in Minneapolis.
May 7, 1963:
Meditation for concert band by Gunther Schuller (37) is performed for the first time, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
November 20, 1963:
Fanfare for four trumpets and four trombones by Gunther Schuller (37) is performed for the first time, in Madison, Wisconsin.
November 29, 1963:
Threnos for oboe and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (38) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
December 19, 1963:
Meditations for voice and piano by Gunther Schuller (38) to words of Stein is performed for the first time, in New York.
March 22, 1964:
Diptych for brass quintet and concert band by Gunther Schuller (38) is performed for the first time, at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
March 22, 1964:
Five Bagatelles for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (38) is performed for the first time, in the Central High School of Fargo, North Dakota, conducted by the composer.
November 22, 1964:
Five Shakespearean Songs for baritone and orchestra by Gunther Schuller is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the composer conducting on his 39th birthday.
February 8, 1965:
Symphony no.1 by Gunther Schuller (39) is performed for the first time, in McFarlin Auditorium of Southern Methodist University, Dallas.
March 9, 1965:
American Tryptich: Three Studies in Texture for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (39) is performed for the first time, in New Orleans, conducted by the composer.
August 17, 1965:
During a concert at the Tanglewood Music Festival, conductor Erich Leinsdorf announces the retirement of Aaron Copland (64) from the Berkshire Music Center, to be replaced by Gunther Schuller (39).
January 20, 1966:
Concerto for Orchestra “Gala Music” by Gunther Schuller (40) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Chicago conducted by the composer.
March 4, 1966:
String Quartet no.2 by Gunther Schuller (40) is performed for the first time, in MacBride Auditorium of the University of Iowa, Iowa City.
August 18, 1966:
As Quiet As for orchestra by Michael Colgrass (34) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts, conducted by Gunther Schuller (40).
October 12, 1966:
The Visitation, an opera by Gunther Schuller (40) to his own words after Kafka, is performed for the first time, at the Hamburg Staatsoper conducted by the composer.
March 19, 1967:
Five Etudes for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (41) is performed for the first time, in Woolsey Hall, Yale University the composer conducting.
March 31, 1967:
Diptych for brass quintet and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (41) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
June 28, 1967:
Triplum for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (41) is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, New York conducted by Leonard Bernstein (48).
July 16, 1967:
Recitative and Rondo for violin and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (41) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
August 31, 1967:
Study in Textures for band by Gunther Schuller (41) is performed for the first time, in Landreth Auditorium of Texas Christian University, Fort Worth.
October 14, 1967:
Vertige d’Eros for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (41) is performed for the first time, in Madison, Wisconsin.
November 17, 1967:
Gunther Schuller (41) is inaugurated as the ninth president of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
January 26, 1968:
Fanfare for St. Louis by Gunther Schuller (42) is performed for the first time, at the inaugural concert of the new Powell Symphony Hall in St. Louis.
June 6, 1968:
Colloquy for two pianos and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (42) is performed for the first time, in Berlin, the composer conducting.
June 27, 1968:
Concerto for double bass and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (42) is performed for the first time, in New York, conducted by the composer.
February 2, 1969:
The Trustees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra announce that Gunther Schuller (43) and Seiji Ozawa will be co-directors of the Tanglewood musical organization beginning next year.
April 26, 1969:
Shapes and Designs for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (43) is performed for the first time, in Bushnell Memorial Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut the composer conducting.
December 16, 1969:
Consequents for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (44) is performed for the first time, at Woolsey Hall, Yale University, the composer conducting.
May 7, 1970:
The Fisherman and His Wife, a children’s opera by Gunther Schuller (44) to words of Updike after Grimm, is performed for the first time, in the Savoy Theatre, Boston.
July 26, 1970:
An orchestral suite from Gunther Schuller’s (44) opera The Visitation is performed for the first time, in Chicago, conducted by the composer. See 12 October 1966.
December 11, 1970:
Museum Piece for early instruments and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (45) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
April 24, 1971:
Concerto da camera for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (45) is performed for the first time, at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York conducted by the composer.
March 11, 1972:
The Power Within Us, an oratorio by Gunther Schuller (46) to words of Long, is performed for the first time, in Atlanta.
May 14, 1972:
Gunther Schuller’s (46) arrangement of The Entertainer by Scott Joplin is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston conducted by the arranger.
August 8, 1972:
Giardino Religioso for chamber orchestra by Bruno Maderna (52) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts. Also premiered is Tre Invenzione for five groups of instruments by Gunther Schuller (46) conducted by the composer.
December 6, 1972:
Capriccio stravagante for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (47) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
May 2, 1973:
Poems of Time and Eternity for chorus and nine instruments by Gunther Schuller (47) to words of Dickinson, is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
May 4, 1973:
Six Early Songs for Lyric Soprano and Orchestra by Gunther Schuller (47) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston, conducted by the composer, 28 years after they were written.
May 25, 1973:
Five Moods for tuba quartet by Gunther Schuller (47) is performed for the first time, at the University of Indiana, Bloomington.
July 15, 1973:
Three Nocturnes for Orchestra by Gunther Schuller (47) is performed for the first time, in Interlochen, Michigan.
February 26, 1975:
Triplum II for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (49) is performed for the first time, in Lyric Theatre, Baltimore.
March 2, 1975:
Four Soundscapes for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (49) is performed for the first time, in Poughkeepsie, New York conducted by the composer.
January 19, 1976:
Little Brass Music for trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba by Gunther Schuller (50) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
March 8, 1976:
Aphorisms for flute, violin, viola, and cello by Gunther Schuller (50) is performed for the first time.
June 24, 1976:
Triptych for organ by Gunther Schuller (50) is performed for the first time, in Old West Church, Boston.
August 25, 1976:
Concerto for violin and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (50) is performed for the first time, in Lucerne, the composer conducting.
October 12, 1976:
Concerto for Orchestra no.2 by Gunther Schuller (50) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
February 12, 1977:
Concerto for horn and orchestra no.2 by Gunther Schuller (51) is performed for the first time, in Budapest.
May 22, 1977:
After ten years as president of New England Conservatory, Gunther Schuller (51) conducts his farewell concert there, at commencement.
March 17, 1978:
Deaï for three orchestras and eight voices by Gunther Schuller (52) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo. The composer is one of the three conductors.
May 23, 1978:
Music for Orchestra by Otto Luening (77) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York conducted by Gunther Schuller, 55 years after it was composed.
September 28, 1978:
Sonata Serenata for piano quartet by Gunther Schuller (52) is performed for the first time, in New York.
January 16, 1979:
Concerto for contrabassoon and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (53) is performed for the first time, at the Kennedy Center in Washington. On the same program is the premiere of the Symphony no.36 for flute and orchestra by Alan Hovhaness (67).
August 25, 1979:
Concerto for trumpet and chamber orchestra by Gunther Schuller (53) is performed for the first time, in Jefferson, New Hampshire conducted by the composer.
November 2, 1979:
Octet for two violins, viola, cello, bass, clarinet, horn, and bassoon by Gunther Schuller (53) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
May 12, 1980:
Concerto for piano by John Harbison (41) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York, conducted by Gunther Schuller (54).
July 18, 1980:
Eine kleine Posaunenmusik for trombone and winds by Gunther Schuller (54) is performed for the first time, in Norwalk, Connecticut.
August 13, 1980:
Symphonic Interlude no.3 for orchestra by Otto Luening (80) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts conducted by Gunther Schuller.
September 26, 1980:
Music for a Celebration for chorus, audience, and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (54) is performed for the first time, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
December 5, 1980:
Gunther Schuller (55) is elected to membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
February 13, 1981:
In Praise of Winds for band by Gunther Schuller (55) is performed for the first time, in Hill Auditorium of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
May 20, 1981:
Gunther Schuller (55) is inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, in New York.
November 8, 1981:
Symphony for organ by Gunther Schuller (55) is performed for the first time, in House of Hope Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota.
May 5, 1982:
Symphony no.1 (Three Movements for Orchestra) by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (43) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York, conducted by Gunther Schuller (56). The work will win the Pulitzer Prize. See 18 April 1983.
November 24, 1982:
Concerto for piano and orchestra no.2 by Gunther Schuller (57) is performed for the first time, in Mainz, the composer conducting.
May 31, 1983:
Fantasia concertante no.2 for three trombones and piano by Gunther Schuller (57) is performed for the first time, in Nashville, Tennessee.
February 1, 1984:
Mirabai Songs in the version for chamber ensemble and piano by John Harbison (45) are performed for the first time, in Sanders Theatre, Cambridge conducted by Gunther Schuller (58). See 15 November 1983.
February 19, 1984:
Concerto for saxophone and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (58) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.
March 7, 1984:
Jubilee Music for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (58) is performed for the first time, in Memorial Hall, Dayton, Ohio.
May 18, 1984:
Dialogue for violin and piano by Gunther Schuller (58) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
May 20, 1984:
On Light Wings for piano quartet by Gunther Schuller (58) is performed for the first time, in Atlanta. Also premiered is Variations for piano quartet by Karel Husa (62).
November 21, 1984:
Concerto Quarternio for violin, flute, oboe, trumpet, and orchestra with recorded voice by Gunther Schuller is performed for the first time, in New York, on the eve of the composer’s 59th birthday.
December 17, 1984:
Concerto for viola and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (59) is performed for the first time, in New Orleans, the composer conducting.
May 8, 1985:
Concerto for Orchestra no.3 “Farbenspiel” by Gunther Schuller (59) is performed for the first time, in Berlin conducted by the composer.
May 16, 1985:
Concerto for bassoon and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (59) is performed for the first time, at the Kennedy Center, Washington.
May 30, 1986:
Coptic Light for orchestra by Morton Feldman (60) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York conducted by Gunther Schuller (60).
February 20, 1988:
Concerto for string quartet and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (62) is performed for the first time, at the Oscar Mayer Theatre, Madison, Wisconsin.
October 13, 1988:
Concerto for flute and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (62) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
January 19, 1990:
Concerto for piano three hands for two pianos and chamber orchestra by Gunther Schuller (64) is performed for the first time, in Springfield, Illinois.
June 17, 1991:
Gunther Schuller (65) wins a “genius grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
December 2, 1993:
Of Reminiscences and Reflections by Gunther Schuller (68) is performed for the first time, in Louisville. It will win the Pulitzer Prize. See 12 April 1994.
April 12, 1994:
Gunther Schuller (68) is awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Of Reminiscences and Reflections. See 2 December 1993.
June 12, 1996:
An Arc Ascending for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (70) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.
June 30, 2001:
Quodlibet for oboe, horn, violin, cello, and harp by Gunther Schuller (75) is performed for the first time, in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
September 21, 2002:
String Quartet no.4 by Gunther Schuller (76) is performed for the first time, in Detroit.
October 25, 2003:
Encounters for six optional voices and jazz ensemble by Gunther Schuller (77) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
August 6, 2005:
Grand Concerto for percussion and keyboards by Gunther Schuller (79) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
November 5, 2006:
Refrains for twelve tubas, twelve euphoniums, and percussion by Gunther Schuller (80) is performed for the first time, at Tennessee Technological University, Cokeville, Tennessee.
February 5, 2009:
Where the World Ends for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (83) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
July 26, 2009:
Quintet for horn and strings by Gunther Schuller (83) is performed for the first time, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
January 6, 2011:
Bagatelle: With Swing for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (85) is performed for the first time, in Seattle.
February 15, 2011:
Concerto for tuba and orchestra no.2 by Gunther Schuller (85) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
July 8, 2012:
Dreamscape for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (86) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts, conducted by the composer.
January 14, 2013:
Piano Trio no.3 by Gunther Schuller (87) is performed for the first time, at New England Conservatory in Boston.
March 7, 2013:
Symphonic Images by Gunther Schuller (87) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
September 21, 2013:
Sonata for two pianos, four hands by Gunther Schuller (87) is performed for the first time, at the Settlement Music School, Philadelphia.
February 9, 2014:
Games, for wind quintet and strings by Gunther Schuller (88) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
March 21, 2014:
String Quartet no.5 by Gunther Schuller (88) is performed for the first time, in Tucson, Arizona.
June 20, 2015:
Gunther Alexander Schuller dies at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, USA of complications from leukemia, aged 89 years, six months, and 30 days. His mortal remains will be cremated and kept by his family.
July 23, 2015:
Magical Trumpets for twelve trumpets by Gunther Schuller (†0) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.