March 12, 1921:
Ralph Shapey is born in Philadelphia, USA, first of two children born to Max Shapey, a cabinet maker, and Lillian Paul. Both parents are immigrants from Russia.
November 28, 1939:
Inspiration for orchestra by Ralph Shapey (18) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia, conducted by the composer.
June 24, 1942:
Ralph Shapey (21) is inducted into the United States Army at Philadelphia.
August 5, 1942:
Private Ralph Shapey (21), on furlough from basic training at Fort McClellan in Alabama, conducts the Dell Symphony Orchestra in Philadelphia. He won a competition to conduct the orchestra but was subsequently drafted. The Army allowed the leave, extremely unusual during basic training.
March 27, 1950:
String Quartet no.2 by Ralph Shapey (29) is performed for the first time, in Times Hall, New York.
May 26, 1954:
String Quartet no.4 by Ralph Shapey (33) is performed for the first time, in Kaufman Auditorium of the 92nd Street Y, New York.
March 20, 1955:
Concerto for clarinet and chamber group by Ralph Shapey (34) is performed for the first time, in Kaufman Auditorium of the 92nd Street Y, New York conducted by the composer.
February 9, 1956:
Challenge the Family of Man for orchestra by Ralph Shapey (34) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
March 10, 1956:
Sonata for cello and piano by Ralph Shapey (34) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
October 13, 1956:
Sonate-Variations for piano by Ralph Shapey (35) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
March 26, 1958:
Duo for viola and piano by Ralph Shapey (37) is performed for the first time, at the Third Street Music School Settlement, New York.
April 6, 1958:
Mutations I for piano by Ralph Shapey (37) is performed for the first time, in Nonagon Gallery, New York. Also premiered is Shapey’s Sonata Variations for piano.
October 28, 1958:
Ralph Shapey (37) marries his second wife, Vera Klement, an artist.
December 6, 1958:
Walking Upright, a cycle for female voice and violin by Ralph Shapey (37) to words of his wife Vera Klement, is performed for the first time, at the Third Street Music School Settlement, New York.
May 19, 1959:
Oboe Quartet by Stefan Wolpe (56) is performed for the first time, conducted by Ralph Shapey (38).
May 22, 1959:
Five works by Ralph Shapey (38) are performed for the first time, in Carl Fischer Concert Hall, New York: Trio for violin, cello, and piano, Piano Trio, Rhapsodie for oboe and piano, String Quartet no.5 with female voice, to words of Klement, and Form for piano. Also premiered are three of the five movements of Enactments for three pianos by Stefan Wolpe (56). See 26 April 1963.
March 26, 1960:
Evocation no.1 for violin with piano and percussion by Ralph Shapey (39) is performed for the first time, at the Third Street Music School Settlement, New York.
November 18, 1960:
Soliloquy for narrator, string quartet, and percussion by Ralph Shapey (39) is performed for the first time, in Kaufman Auditorium of the 92nd Street Y, New York conducted by the composer.
March 1, 1961:
De profundis for solo double bass and violin, piccolo/flute, oboe/english horn, clarinet/bass clarinet/alto saxophone, and horn by Ralph Shapey (39) is performed for the first time, at the Hartt College of Music of the University of Hartford.
April 22, 1961:
Incantations for soprano and ten instruments by Ralph Shapey (40) is performed for the first time, in Miller Hall at Columbia University.
November 4, 1961:
Form for piano by Ralph Shapey (40) is performed for the first time, at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York.
January 24, 1962:
Discourse for flute, clarinet, piano, and cello by Ralph Shapey (40) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
February 17, 1962:
Movements for woodwind quintet by Ralph Shapey (40) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
April 11, 1962:
In Two Parts for 6 Players by Stefan Wolpe (59) is performed for the first time, in the YMHA, New York, conducted by Ralph Shapey (41).
May 9, 1962:
Piece for violin and instruments by Ralph Shapey (41) is performed for the first time, in Kaufman Auditorium of the 92nd Street Y, New York.
May 13, 1962:
Piece for Piano and 16 Instruments by Stefan Wolpe (59) is performed for the first time, at the New School, New York conducted by Ralph Shapey (41). Also premiered are Shapey's Dimensions for soprano and 23 instruments and Chamber Concerto by Arthur Berger (49). Shapey will remember it as one of the most exciting days of his life. In the audience are Edgar Varèse (76), Aaron Copland (61), Elliott Carter (53), Milton Babbitt (46), Erich Leinsdorf, Harold Rosenburg, Dore Ashton, Jack Tworkove, and Willem de Kooning. It is a great success.
October 22, 1962:
Chamber Symphony for ten players by Ralph Shapey (41) is performed for the first time, in McMillin Auditorium at Columbia University, conducted by the composer.
December 18, 1962:
Several works in honor of the 60th birthday of Stefan Wolpe are performed in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York, two for the first time: Birthday Piece for Stefan Wolpe for piano by Ralph Shapey (41), and Only for voices by Morton Feldman (36) to words of Rilke. In response is the premiere of Wolpe’s Street Music: A Counter-Offering to the Musical Offerings of Ten Composers on My 60th Birthday for baritone, narrator, flute, oboe, clarinet, cello, and piano to his own words.
May 9, 1963:
Piece for violin and instruments by Ralph Shapey (42) is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Auditorium, New York the composer conducting.
November 18, 1963:
Seven for piano-four hands by Ralph Shapey (42) is performed for the first time, in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
July 1, 1964:
Sonance for carillon by Ralph Shapey (43) is performed for the first time, at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago.
January 27, 1965:
Brass Quintet by Ralph Shapey (43) is performed for the first time, in Kaufmann Concert Hall, New York. Also premiered is Numbers for flute, horn, trombone, tuba, percussion, piano, violin, cello, and double bass by Morton Feldman (39).
April 24, 1965:
This Day for female voice and piano by Ralph Shapey (44) to words of his wife, Vera Klement, is performed for the first time, in Butler Auditorium at the State University of New York, Buffalo.
May 1, 1965:
Ontogeny for orchestra by Ralph Shapey (44) is performed for the first time, in Kleinhans Music Hall of the State University of New York at Buffalo, conducted by the composer.
May 2, 1965:
Birthday Piece for piano by Ralph Shapey (44) is performed for the first time, in the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
January 10, 1966:
String Trio by Ralph Shapey (44) is performed for the first time, at the Textile Museum, Washington.
March 23, 1966:
Configurations for flute and piano by Ralph Shapey (45) is performed for the first time, in Kaufman Auditorium of the 92nd Street Y, New York.
May 12, 1966:
Rituals for orchestra by Ralph Shapey (45) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago, the composer conducting.
May 25, 1966:
Ralph Shapey (45) wins a composing award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Harry Partch (64) receives the Marjorie Peabody Award. Stefan Wolpe (63) and David Diamond (50) are inducted as members of the National Institute of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Pierre Boulez (41) is inducted as an honorary member.
November 28, 1966:
String Quartet no.6 by Ralph Shapey (45) is performed for the first time, in Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, New York University.
January 24, 1967:
New works are performed for the first time, at the University of Chicago to mark the school’s 75th anniversary: Music for the Magic Theatre for 15 instrumentalists by George Rochberg (48), Inflexions for 14 players by Mario Davidovsky (32), and Un voyage de Cythère for soprano and ten instruments by Easley Blackwood (33).
January 26, 1967:
Partita for violin and 13 players by Ralph Shapey (45) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
January 30, 1967:
Partita for solo violin by Ralph Shapey (45) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
February 15, 1967:
Mutations II for piano by Ralph Shapey (45) is performed for the first time, at Bowling Green State University, Ohio.
April 19, 1968:
Partita-Fantasia for cello and 16 players by Ralph Shapey (47) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
May 24, 1968:
Invocation-Concerto for violin and orchestra by Ralph Shapey (47) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall at the University of Chicago conducted by the composer.
April 14, 1969:
Deux for two pianos by Ralph Shapey (48) is performed for the first time, in the Pan-American Union, Washington.
May 23, 1969:
Songs of Ecstasy for soprano with piano, percussion, and tape by Ralph Shapey (48) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
April 14, 1972:
Concertino for chamber orchestra by Roger Sessions (75) is performed for the first time, in Chicago conducted by Ralph Shapey (75).
April 22, 1975:
Ensembles for 17 for soprano and instrumental ensemble by Shulamit Ran (25) to words of Shakespeare is performed for the first time, at the University of Chicago conducted by Ralph Shapey (54).
February 28, 1976:
Praise, an oratorio for bass-baritone, two choruses, and chamber ensemble by Ralph Shapey (54) to words of the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago. It ends a seven-year self-imposed moratorium on the performance of his music. Shapey began the moratorium in 1969 in a feeling of disgust over the Vietnam War and the state of the world and the musical world.
April 22, 1977:
String Quartet no.7 by Ralph Shapey (56) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
March 5, 1978:
O Jerusalem for soprano and flute by Ralph Shapey (56) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, at Chatham College Theatre, Pittsburgh.
April 14, 1978:
The Covenant for soprano and 16 players by Ralph Shapey (57) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall, Chicago. The work is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the State of Israel.
January 20, 1979:
21 Variations for piano by Ralph Shapey (57) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
April 20, 1979:
Concertino for piano, winds, and timpani by George Perle (63) is performed for the first time, in Chicago, conducted by Ralph Shapey.
May 14, 1979:
Fromm Variations for piano by Ralph Shapey (58) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
February 29, 1980:
Shulamite’s Love for Solomon, the first of the Trilogy: Song of Songs for soprano, chamber ensemble, and tape by Ralph Shapey (58), is performed for the first time, at the University of Chicago the composer conducting. See 24 April 1981.
January 25, 1981:
Three for Six for violin/viola, cello, flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, percussion, and piano by Ralph Shapey (59) is performed for the first time, in the Harvey M. Meyerhoff Center for the Performing Arts, Brooklandville, Maryland.
April 14, 1981:
Evocation no.2 for cello, percussion, and piano by Ralph Shapey (60) is performed for the first time, at the Juilliard School, New York.
April 24, 1981:
The second and third of the Trilogy: Song of Songs for soprano, baritone, ensemble, and tape by Ralph Shapey (60) are performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall, Chicago the composer conducting. See 29 February 1980.
June 21, 1981:
Fanfares for brass quintet by Ralph Shapey (60) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Chicago radio station WFMT in honor of the composer’s 60th birthday.
October 18, 1982:
Evocation no.3 for viola and piano by Ralph Shapey (61) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
November 28, 1982:
Songs for soprano and piano by Ralph Shapey (61) to words of various authors are performed for the first time, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York.
February 20, 1983:
Concerto grosso for woodwind quintet by Ralph Shapey (61) is performed for the first time, in the Guggenheim Museum, New York.
October 31, 1983:
Oboe Quartet by Ralph Shapey (62) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Hall, New York, 31 years after it was composed. Also premiered is his String Quartet no.1, 37 years after it was composed.
January 12, 1984:
Mann Duo for violin and viola by Ralph Shapey (62) is performed for the first time, in Kaufman Auditorium of the 92nd Street Y, New York.
January 23, 1984:
Double Concerto for violin, cello, and orchestra by Ralph Shapey (62) is performed for the first time, at the Juilliard School, New York, the composer conducting.
October 5, 1984:
Three Essays on Thomas Wolfe for piano by Ralph Shapey (63) is performed for the first time, privately at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York 36 years after it was composed.
April 28, 1985:
Gottlieb Duo for piano and percussion by Ralph Shapey (64) is performed for the first time, in Quad City, Mississippi.
October 12, 1985:
Ralph Shapey (64) marries his third wife, Elsa Charlston, a singer.
October 22, 1985:
Krosnick Soli for cello by Ralph Shapey (64) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
February 27, 1986:
Tango Variations on a Tango Cantus for piano by Ralph Shapey (64) is performed for the first time, in New York.
March 10, 1986:
Variations for organ by Ralph Shapey (64) is performed for the first time, in the Church of the Ascension, New York.
April 14, 1986:
Kroslish Sonate for cello and piano by Ralph Shapey (64) is performed for the first time.
January 17, 1987:
Psalm I for soprano, oboe, and piano by Ralph Shapey (65) is performed for the first time, at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
April 2, 1987:
Symphonie Concertante for orchestra by Ralph Shapey (66) is performed for the first time, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
April 6, 1987:
Fantasy for violin and piano by Ralph Shapey (66) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York.
April 24, 1987:
Concertante no.1 for trumpet and ten players by Ralph Shapey (66) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
October 4, 1987:
In memoriam for soprano, baritone, and nine players by Ralph Shapey (66) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
March 11, 1989:
Songs of Joy for soprano and piano by Ralph Shapey is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of radio station WFMT, Chicago on the eve of the composer’s 68th birthday.
April 21, 1989:
Concertante no.2 for alto saxophone and 15 players by Ralph Shapey (68) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall, Chicago, conducted by the composer.
July 31, 1989:
Concerto for cello, piano, and string orchestra by Ralph Shapey (68) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
April 20, 1990:
Variations for viola and nine players by Ralph Shapey (69) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago, the composer conducting.
April 30, 1990:
Songs of Love (I am My Beloved’s) for voice and piano by Ralph Shapey (69) to words of The Bible, Gibran, and Whitman is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
February 28, 1991:
Songs of Life, a cycle for soprano, cello, and piano by Ralph Shapey (69) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Washington.
April 19, 1991:
Soli for percussion duo by Ralph Shapey (70) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
November 21, 1991:
Concerto Fantastique for orchestra by Ralph Shapey (70) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago conducted by the composer.
January 26, 1992:
Intermezzo for dulcimer and keyboards by Ralph Shapey (70) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago. Also premiered is Shapey’s Centennial Celebration for four vocal soloists and twelve players.
March 3, 1992:
Movement of Varied Moments for Two for flute and vibraphone by Ralph Shapey (70) is performed for the first time, at the University of Akron, Ohio.
January 26, 1993:
Soli for percussion solo by Ralph Shapey (71) is performed for the first time, at the Manhattan School of Music, New York.
March 7, 1993:
Trio 1992 for violin, cello, and piano by Ralph Shapey (71) is performed for the first time, in Kathryn Bache Miller Theatre at Columbia University.
April 23, 1993:
Inventions for clarinet and percussion by Ralph Shapey (72) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
April 22, 1994:
Lullaby for soprano and flute by Ralph Shapey (73) is performed for the first time, in Mandel Hall of the University of Chicago.
April 24, 1994:
Trio Concertante for violin, piano and percussion by Ralph Shapey (73) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
May 8, 1994:
Constellations for clarinet/bass clarinet/tenor saxophone, cello, electric guitar, double bass/bass guitar, piano/celesta, and percussion by Ralph Shapey (73) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York the composer conducting.
October 25, 1994:
String Quartet no.8 by Ralph Shapey (73) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
October 30, 1994:
Dinosaur Annex for violin, vibraphone, and marimba/glockenspiel by Ralph Shapey (73) is performed for the first time, in First and Second Church, Boston.
April 23, 1995:
Evocation no.4 for violin, cello, piano, and percussion by Ralph Shapey (74) is performed for the first time, in Kathryn Bache Miller Theatre of Columbia University.
August 4, 1995:
Rhapsody for cello and piano by Ralph Shapey (74) is performed for the first time, at Wellesley College, Massachusetts.
May 4, 1996:
String Quartet no.9 by Ralph Shapey (75) is performed for the first time, in Mills Concert Hall of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
July 27, 1996:
Discourse Encore for violin, clarinet, cello, and piano by Ralph Shapey (75) is performed for the first time.
November 26, 1996:
Stony Brook Concerto for chamber orchestra by Ralph Shapey (75) is performed for the first time, in Staller Center for the Arts, State University of New York, Stony Brook.
January 17, 1997:
Sonata Profondo for piano by Ralph Shapey (75) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
February 12, 1998:
Sonata Appassionata for cello and piano by Ralph Shapey (76) is performed for the first time, in Miller Theatre at Columbia University.
June 23, 1999:
Gamper Festival Concerto for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and chamber orchestra by Ralph Shapey (78) is performed for the first time, at Brunswick High School, Maine.
June 6, 2001:
New works by Ralph Shapey (80) are performed for the first time, at an 80th birthday tribute in Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, Chicago: Night Music no.1 for flutes and tape, Lul-La-By no.2 for soprano, three flutes (one player), and tape, and Night Music no.2 for violin/viola and tape.
February 27, 2002:
String Quartet no.10 “Quartet d’amore” by Ralph Shapey (80) is performed for the first time, in Perelman Theatre at the Kimmel Center, Philadelphia.
April 18, 2002:
Millennium Designs for violin and piano by Ralph Shapey (81) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.
June 13, 2002:
Ralph Shapey dies in Bernard Mitchell Hospital of the University of Chicago, Illinois, USA of heart and kidney failure, aged 81 years, three months, and one day.
October 22, 2007:
Two for Five “Concerto Grosso” for clarinet and string quartet by Ralph Shapey (†5) is performed for the first time, at the Juilliard School, New York.