August 25, 1902:
Stefan Wolpe is born at Joachim-Friedrich Strasse 53, 2.Stock, Wilmersdorf in Berlin, German Empire, to David Wolpe, a Russian immigrant who owns a leather manufacturing business, and Hermine Strasser, an Austrian and amateur pianist.
December 22, 1931:
Incidental music to von Wangenheim’s play Die Mausefalle by Stefan Wolpe (29) is performed for the first time, in the Kleines Theater Unter Den Linden, Berlin. It will have 120 performances in Berlin before touring Germany and Switzerland.
March 4, 1933:
The communist theatrical group Die Truppe 1931, whose composer and pianist is Stefan Wolpe (30), is banned by the Berlin police.
September 13, 1934:
Stefan Wolpe (32) marries his second wife, pianist Irma Schoenberg, in Jerusalem.
May 17, 1935:
Marsch und Variationen for two pianos by Stefan Wolpe (32) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
December 29, 1936:
Fünf Lieder von Friedrich Hölderlin, a cycle for voice and piano by Stefan Wolpe (34), is performed for the first time, in Jerusalem. This is the inaugural concert of the ISCM, Palestine Branch, Jerusalem Group, founded by Wolpe.
May 16, 1937:
Suite im Hexachord op.24b for oboe and clarinet by Stefan Wolpe (34) is performed for the first time, in Jerusalem.
October 16, 1937:
Two Songs for Alto and Piano from the Song of Songs by Stefan Wolpe (35) are performed for the first time, in Jerusalem.
May 1, 1938:
Four of the Hebrew Solo Songs for voice and piano by Stefan Wolpe (35) are performed for the first time, in Jerusalem.
October 23, 1938:
A farewell concert for Stefan Wolpe (36) and his wife Irma Schoenberg takes place, organized by their students at the Palestine Conservatoire in Jerusalem. Wolpe is too radical for the faculty and administration, politically and musically.
December 15, 1938:
Stefan Wolpe (36) and his wife arrive at Ellis Island from Palestine.
April 5, 1942:
Stefan Wolpe’s (39) ballet The Man from Midian to a scenario by Palmer is performed for the first time, in Washington.
January 9, 1943:
Psalm 64 and Isaiah Chapter 35 for voice and piano by Stefan Wolpe (40) is performed for the first time, at the home of Josef Wagner, New York.
April 24, 1943:
Drei Lieder von Bertolt Brecht for voice and piano by Stefan Wolpe (40) is performed for the first time, in Heckscher Theatre, New York.
January 22, 1945:
Stefan Wolpe (42) becomes a citizen of the United States in New York City.
April 8, 1945:
Toccata for piano by Stefan Wolpe (42) is performed for the first time, at the Settlement Music School, Philadelphia by the composer’s wife, Irma Schoenberg Wolpe.
April 29, 1945:
Zwei Lieder aus Gedichten von Berthold Viertel by Stefan Wolpe (42) are performed for the first time, in New York.
May 11, 1945:
Jewish sacred works are performed for the first time, in Park Avenue Synagogue, New York: Kaddish op.250 for cantor, chorus, and organ by Darius Milhaud (52), Hashkiveinu for cantor, chorus, and organ by Leonard Bernstein (26), and excerpts from the cantata Yigdal by Stefan Wolpe (42) to words of Maimonedes.
May 14, 1949:
Song of Songs for voice and piano by Stefan Wolpe (46) is performed for the first time.
May 27, 1949:
Stefan Wolpe (46) receives a $1,000 grant from the US National Institute of Arts and Letters.
March 11, 1950:
Three works by Stefan Wolpe (47) are performed for the first time, in New York: Battle Piece for piano, Saxophone Quartet for trumpet, tenor saxophone, piano, and percussion, and Excerpt from Dr. Einstein’s Address about Peace in the Atomic Era for voice and piano. The second of these is in honor of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The third expresses the composer’s opposition to atomic weapons.
May 28, 1950:
Music for a Dancer for piano by Stefan Wolpe (47) is performed for the first time, at Hunter College, New York.
March 14, 1951:
Seven Pieces for Three Pianos by Stefan Wolpe (48) is performed for the first time, at Yale University, along with his lecture “Spatial Relations, Harmonic Structures, and Shapes.”
November 1, 1951:
An orchestral suite from Stefan Wolpe’s (49) ballet The Man from Midian is performed for the first time, by the New York Philharmonic.
February 17, 1952:
Waltz for Merle, a dance for piano by Stefan Wolpe (49), is performed for the first time, at the YMHA in New York.
August 25, 1952:
On his 50th birthday, Stefan Wolpe is asked to stay on and become music director of Black Mountain College in North Carolina. Without other prospects, he accepts.
July 19, 1956:
Stefan Wolpe (53) lectures "On New (and not so new) Music in America" at Darmstadt. Later, Stockhausen's (27) Gesang der Jünglinge is performed.
May 14, 1958:
Quintet with Voice for baritone, clarinet, horn, cello, harp, and piano by Stefan Wolpe (55) to words of his third wife, Hilda Morey, is performed for the first time.
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.
February 17, 1961:
Piece in Two Parts for flute and piano by Stefan Wolpe (58) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Recital Hall, New York.
December 1, 1961:
Incidental music to Brecht’s (tr. Bentley) play The Exception and the Rule by Stefan Wolpe (58) is performed for the first time, in Wollman Auditorium, New York.
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 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.
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.
February 18, 1963:
Piece for Two Instrumental Units by Stefan Wolpe (60) is performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre of Columbia University.
April 26, 1963:
Enactments for three pianos by Stefan Wolpe (60) is performed completely for the first time, at the New School, New York.
January 16, 1964:
The first two movements of Symphony by Stefan Wolpe (61) are performed for the first time, by the New York Philharmonic. See 29 April 1965.
April 26, 1964:
Piece in Two Parts for Violin Alone by Stefan Wolpe (61) is performed for the first time, in the YMHA, New York.
November 16, 1964:
Trio in Two Parts for flute, cello, and piano by Stefan Wolpe (62) is performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre, Columbia University. Charles Wuorinen (26) plays the piano part.
February 5, 1965:
Chamber Piece no.1 for 14 players by Stefan Wolpe (62) is performed for the first time, in Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, Washington.
April 29, 1965:
Symphony by Stefan Wolpe (62) is performed completely for the first time, in Boston. See 16 January 1964.
April 24, 1966:
Stefan Wolpe (63) receives the Brandeis University Creative Arts Medal.
May 4, 1966:
Second Piece for Violin Alone by Stefan Wolpe (63) is performed for the first time, in the YMHA, New York.
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.
September 27, 1966:
Solo Piece for trumpet by Stefan Wolpe (64) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.
February 20, 1968:
Two Chinese Epitaphs for chorus and percussion by Stefan Wolpe (65) in an English version by Papernow-Shapiro, are performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre of Columbia University, 31 years after the original versions were composed.
April 30, 1969:
From Here on Farther for clarinet, bass clarinet, violin, and piano by Stefan Wolpe (66) is performed for the first time, in the YMHA, New York.
June 8, 1969:
Stefan Wolpe (66) receives an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music.
October 28, 1969:
String Quartet by Stefan Wolpe (67) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
February 15, 1970:
A fire in the apartment of Stefan Wolpe (67) in New York causes severe damage to his writings, paintings, and other personal items. He will receive money from the Rockefeller Foundation to repair damaged manuscripts.
October 17, 1970:
Form IV for piano by Stefan Wolpe (68) is performed for the first time, in the YMHA, New York.
October 6, 1971:
Piece for Trumpet and Seven Instruments by Stefan Wolpe (69) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.
February 16, 1972:
Psalm 122, one of the Four Pieces for Mixed Chorus by Stefan Wolpe (69), is performed for the first time, in McMillin Theatre, New York.
April 4, 1972:
Between 13:15-13:30 Stefan Wolpe dies in his apartment in Westbeth Artists Housing Coop, West Village, New York, New York, USA from choking on food. However, he is a long-time sufferer of Parkinson’s Disease. Wolpe is aged 69 years, seven months, and ten days.
April 10, 1972:
A service in memory Stefan Wolpe is held at The Riverside Funeral Home, Amsterdam Avenue, New York. Among the speakers are Milton Babbitt (55), John Cage (59), and Elliott Carter (63). Wolpe’s earthly remains are cremated.
April 11, 1972:
A concert by the League of Composers-ISCM, planned to be a 70th birthday tribute to Stefan Wolpe, becomes a memorial concert. Wolpe died one week ago.
May 31, 1972:
The ashes of the earthly remains of Stefan Wolpe are interred at Green River Cemetery, East Hampton, New York.
April 30, 1987:
For Stefan Wolpe for chorus and two vibraphones by Morton Feldman (61) is performed for the first time, at the University of Wisconsin.
October 30, 2002:
Two Studies for Large Orchestra by Stefan Wolpe (†30) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.