September 17, 1917:
Isang Yun is born in Duk San, San Chun Gun, Tongyong (Chung Mu), Korea (under Japanese rule), son of Yun Ki Hyon, a poet.
November 8, 1936:
Isang Yun (19) is christened as a Protestant in Seoul.
January 30, 1950:
Isang Yun (32) marries Sooja Lee.
April 11, 1956:
The Seoul City Culture Award is conferred on Isang Yun (38) for his String Quartet no.1 and Piano Trio.
September 4, 1959:
Musik für sieben Instrumente by Isang Yun (41) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt.
September 6, 1959:
Five Pieces for piano by Isang Yun (41) is performed for the first time, in Bilthoven, Netherlands.
June 15, 1960:
String Quartet no.3 by Isang Yun (42) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
September 7, 1961:
Two works are performed for the first time, in Darmstadt: Symphonische Szene for orchestra by Isang Yun (43), and Emanations for two string orchestras by Krzysztof Penderecki (27).
December 12, 1961:
Colloîdes sonores for strings by Isang Yun (44) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
January 19, 1962:
Bara for orchestra by Isang Yun (44) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
October 2, 1963:
Gasa for violin and piano by Isang Yun (46) is performed for the first time, in Prague.
January 23, 1964:
Loyang for eleven players by Isang Yun (46) is performed for the first time, in Hannover.
September 11, 1964:
Garak for flute and piano by Isang Yun (46) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
January 30, 1965:
Om mane padme hum for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Isang Yun (47) is performed for the first time, in Hannover.
February 10, 1965:
Fluktuationen for orchestra by Isang Yun (47) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
September 25, 1965:
Der Traum des Liu-Tung, an opera by Isang Yun (48) to words of Rudelsberger and Bauernfeind after Ma Chi Yuan, is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
October 23, 1966:
Réak for orchestra by Isang Yun (49) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.
March 11, 1967:
Tuyaux sonores for organ by Isang Yun (49) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg-Wellingsbüttel.
July 5, 1967:
Le Monde publishes the first media report of 17 Koreans abducted in Germany by the South Korean government and spirited to Korea, accused of spying for North Korea. In two days it will be revealed that one of them is Isang Yun (49).
October 20, 1967:
A petition in support of Isang Yun (50), signed by 160 composers, musicians, and scholars, appears in Die Zeit. Among the signers are Igor Stravinsky (85) and Elliott Carter (58).
December 13, 1967:
Isang Yun (50) is sentenced to life in prison by a Korean court for spying for North Korea. The sentence will be reduced to 15 years for visiting Pyongyang.
January 12, 1968:
Shao Yang Yin for harpsichord by Isang Yun (50) is performed for the first time, in Freiburg.
March 13, 1968:
The sentence of life in prison for Isang Yun (50) for espionage is commuted to fifteen years by the South Korean government.
May 3, 1968:
Nore for cello and piano by Isang Yun (50) is performed for the first time, in Bremen.
July 26, 1968:
Riul for clarinet and piano by Isang Yun (50) is performed for the first time, in Erlangen.
January 10, 1969:
The sentence of 15 years for Isang Yun (51) for espionage is reduced to ten years by the South Korean government. He will be released next month.
February 23, 1969:
Die Witwe des Schmetterlings, an opera by Isang Yun (51) to words of Kunz after Ma Chi Yuan, is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.
February 24, 1969:
After international protests, South Korean authorities release Isang Yun (51) from prison.
March 24, 1969:
Images for flute, oboe, violin, and cello by Isang Yun (51) is performed for the first time, at Mills College, Oakland, California.
March 30, 1969:
Isang Yun (51) returns to West Berlin from South Korea.
May 8, 1969:
Ein Schmetterlingstraum for chorus and percussion ad. lib. by Isang Yun (51) to words of Ma is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
May 4, 1971:
Namo for three sopranos and orchestra by Isang Yun (53) to a Buddhist sacred text is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
May 8, 1971:
Glisées for cello by Isang Yun (53) is performed for the first time, in Zagreb.
June 20, 1971:
Geisterliebe, an opera by Isang Yun (53) to words of Kunz, is performed for the first time, in Kiel.
October 22, 1971:
Dimensionen for organ and orchestra by Isang Yun (54) is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.
October 25, 1971:
Piri for oboe by Isang Yun (54) is performed for the first time, in Bamberg.
August 1, 1972:
Sim Tjong, an opera by Isang Yun (54) to words of Kunz, is performed for the first time, in the Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich.
October 25, 1972:
Gagok for voice, guitar, and percussion by Isang Yun (55) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.
February 23, 1973:
The first movement of the Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Isang Yun (55) is performed for the first time, in Berlin. See 13 May 1976.
October 4, 1973:
Ouverture for orchestra by Isang Yun (56) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
October 18, 1973:
Trio for flute, oboe, and violin by Isang Yun (56) is performed for the first time, in Mannheim.
November 30, 1973:
Konzertante Figuren for orchestra by Isang Yun (56) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
May 3, 1974:
Memory for three voices and percussion by Isang Yun (56) is performed for the first time, in Rome.
July 18, 1974:
Etudes for flute by Isang Yun (56) is performed for the first time, in Kyoto.
January 22, 1975:
Harmonia for orchestra by Isang Yun (57) is performed for the first time, in Herford.
April 5, 1975:
An der Schwelle for baritone, female chorus, organ, flute, oboe, trumpet, trombone, and percussion by Isang Yun (57) to words of Haushofer is performed for the first time, in Kassel.
May 17, 1975:
Fragment for organ by Isang Yun (57) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg-Wellingsbüttel.
September 30, 1975:
Rondell for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon by Isang Yun (58) is performed for the first time, in Bayreuth.
March 25, 1976:
Concerto for cello and orchestra by Isang Yun (58) is performed for the first time, in Royan.
May 13, 1976:
Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Isang Yun (58) is performed for the first time, in Mannheim. See 23 February 1973.
May 21, 1976:
Vom Tao, choruses from the opera Sim Tjong for chorus, organ, and percussion by Isang Yun (58) to words of Kunz is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
June 15, 1976:
Pièce concertante for chamber ensemble by Isang Yun (58) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
April 1, 1977:
Königliches Thema for violin by Isang Yun (59) is performed for the first time, in Düsseldorf-Benrath.
May 3, 1977:
Duo for viola and piano by Isang Yun (59) is performed for the first time, in Rome.
June 9, 1977:
Der weise Mann, a cantata for baritone, chorus, and chamber orchestra by Isang Yun (59) to words of Böttcher after Salamo and Lao-tsu, is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
July 30, 1977:
Concerto for flute and orchestra by Isang Yun (59) is performed for the first time, in Hitzacker.
September 26, 1977:
Double Concerto for oboe, harp, and chamber orchestra by Isang Yun (60) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
December 16, 1977:
Chamanengesänge for alto and chamber orchestra from the opera Geisterliebe by Isang Yun (60) to words of Kunz, is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
April 10, 1978:
Octet for clarinet, bassoon, horn, and string quintet by Isang Yun (60) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 9, 1978:
Muak, a dance fantasy for orchestra by Isang Yun (61), is performed for the first time, in Mönchengladbach.
April 30, 1979:
Salomo for alto flute by Isang Yun (61) is performed for the first time, in Kiel.
July 6, 1979:
Sonata for oboe, harp, and viola by Isang Yun (61) is performed for the first time, in Saarbrücken.
September 18, 1979:
Fanfare and Memorial for orchestra by Isang Yun (62) is performed for the first time, in Münster.
February 5, 1981:
Novellette for flute and harp by Isang Yun (63) is performed for the first time, in Bremen.
April 26, 1981:
Teile dich Nacht, a cycle for soprano and chamber ensemble by Isang Yun (63) to words of Sachs, is performed for the first time, in Witten.
May 8, 1981:
Exemplum in memoriam Kwangju for orchestra by Isang Yun (63) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
June 21, 1981:
O Licht... for chorus, violin, and percussion by Isang Yun (63) to words of Sachs and a Buddhist prayer, is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.
January 29, 1982:
Concerto for clarinet and orchestra by Isang Yun (64) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
April 29, 1982:
The first two movements of the Concerto for violin and orchestra no.1 by Isang Yun (64) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main. See 25 November 1982.
May 6, 1982:
Interludium in A for piano by Isang Yun (64) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.
November 14, 1982:
Der Herr ist mein Hirte for solo trombone and chorus by Isang Yun (65) to words of the Bible and Sachs, is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart.
November 25, 1982:
Concerto for violin and orchestra no.1 by Isang Yun (65) is performed completely for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main. See 29 April 1982.
April 9, 1983:
Monolog for bass clarinet by Isang Yun (65) is performed for the first time, in Melbourne.
July 8, 1983:
The second movement of the Concerto for violin and orchestra no.2 by Isang Yun (65) entitled “Dialog Schmetterling-Atombombe” is performed for the first time, in Tokyo. See 30 March 1984 and 20 January 1987.
November 6, 1983:
Concertino for accordion and string quartet by Isang Yun (66) is performed for the first time, in Trossingen.
December 15, 1983:
Sonatina for two violas by Isang Yun (66) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.
March 30, 1984:
The first movement of the Concerto for violin and orchestra no.2 by Isang Yun (66) entitled “Festliches Präludium” is performed for the first time, in Siegen. See 8 July 1983 and 20 January 1987.
April 29, 1984:
Inventionen for two oboes by Isang Yun (66) is performed for the first time, in Witten.
May 15, 1984:
Symphony no.1 by Isang Yun (66) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
May 27, 1984:
Duo for cello and harp by Isang Yun (66) is performed for the first time, in Ingelheim.
August 24, 1984:
Quintet for clarinet and strings no.1 by Isang Yun (66) is performed for the first time, in Kusatsu, Japan.
December 9, 1984:
Symphony no.2 by Isang Yun (67) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
February 2, 1985:
Monolog for bassoon by Isang Yun (67) is performed for the first time, in Nizza.
August 22, 1985:
Gong-Hu for harp and strings by Isang Yun (67) is performed for the first time, in Lucerne.
September 26, 1985:
Symphony no.3 by Isang Yun (68) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
June 22, 1986:
Mugung-Dong, an invocation for winds, percussion, and double basses by Isang Yun (68), is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
August 2, 1986:
Rencontre for clarinet, harp, and cello by Isang Yun (68) is performed for the first time, in Hitzacker.
August 27, 1986:
Flute Quartet by Isang Yun (68) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 13, 1986:
Symphony no.4 “Im Dunkeln singen” by Isang Yun (69) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.
November 28, 1986:
Li-Na im Garten, five pieces for violin by Isang Yun (69), is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
January 17, 1987:
Quintet for flute and strings by Isang Yun (69) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France, originating in Paris.
January 20, 1987:
Concerto for violin and orchestra no.2 by Isang Yun (69) is performed completely for the first time, in Stuttgart. This sees the premiere of the third movement entitled Adagio und Finale. See 8 July 1983 and 30 March 1984.
February 9, 1987:
Impression for chamber orchestra by Isang Yun (69) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
April 8, 1987:
In Balance for harp by Isang Yun (69) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
April 10, 1987:
Kontraste, two pieces for violin by Isang Yun (69) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
September 17, 1987:
Symphony no.5 for baritone and orchestra by Isang Yun to words of Sachs is performed for the first time, in Berlin on the composer’s 70th birthday.
October 5, 1987:
My Land, My People, a Korean cantata for soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Isang Yun (70) to words of various Korean authors, is performed for the first time, in Pyongyang.
November 8, 1987:
Duetto concertante for oboe/english horn, cello, and orchestra by Isang Yun (70) is performed for the first time, in Rotweil.
November 20, 1987:
Tapis for string quintet by Isang Yun (70) is performed for the first time, in Mannheim.
February 18, 1988:
Kammersinfonie I for two oboes, two horns, and strings by Isang Yun (70) is performed for the first time, in Gütersloh.
June 18, 1988:
Inventionen for two flutes by Isang Yun (70) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of NCRV-Radio, originating in Hilversum.
July 10, 1988:
Pezzo fantasioso for two instruments and bass ad lib by Isang Yun (70) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Comunale, Chiusi.
October 6, 1988:
Intermezzo for cello and accordion by Isang Yun (71) is performed for the first time, in Avignon.
October 9, 1988:
Two works by Isang Yun (71) are performed for the first time, in Berlin: Distanzen for wind and string quintet, and Contemplation for two violas.
November 7, 1988:
Sori for flute by Isang Yun (71) is performed for the first time, in New York.
November 28, 1988:
String Quartet no.4 by Isang Yun (71) is performed for the first time, in Würzburg.
May 26, 1989:
Quartet for flute, violin, cello, and piano by Isang Yun (71) is performed for the first time, in Münster.
September 6, 1989:
Kammersinfonie II “Den Opfern der Freiheit” by Isang Yun (71) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
November 10, 1989:
Rufe for oboe and harp by Isang Yun (72) is performed for the first time, in Ravensburg.
March 18, 1990:
Konturen for orchestra by Isang Yun (72) is performed for the first time, in Brunswick.
April 28, 1990:
Together for violin and double bass by Isang Yun (72) is performed for the first time, in Århus.
June 16, 1990:
Kammerkonzert I for chamber ensemble by Isang Yun (72) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
November 26, 1990:
Kammerkonzert II for chamber ensemble by Isang Yun (73) is performed for the first time, in the Leipzig Gewandhaus.
July 14, 1991:
String Quartet no.5 by Isang Yun (73) is performed for the first time, in Isselstein, Netherlands.
August 6, 1991:
Wind Quintet by Isang Yun (73) is performed for the first time, in Altenhof.
September 19, 1991:
Concerto for oboe and orchestra by Isang Yun (74) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
September 26, 1991:
Sonata for violin and piano by Isang Yun (74) is performed for the first time, in the Alte Oper, Frankfurt-am-Main.
April 7, 1992:
String Quartet no.6 by Isang Yun (74) is performed for the first time, in Basel.
June 22, 1992:
Concerto for violin and orchestra no.3 by Isang Yun (74) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
September 16, 1992:
Quartet for horn, trumpet, trombone, and piano by Isang Yun is performed for the first time, in Berlin on the eve of the composer’s 75th birthday.
October 3, 1992:
Trio for clarinet, bassoon, and horn by Isang Yun (75) is performed for the first time, in Hannover.
October 5, 1992:
Silla, a legend for orchestra by Isang Yun (75), is performed for the first time, in the Hannover Opera House.
December 7, 1992:
Espace I for cello and piano by Isang Yun (75) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
August 14, 1993:
Chinesische Bilder for recorder by Isang Yun (75) is performed for the first time, in Stavanger.
September 17, 1993:
Espace II for cello harp and oboe ad lib by Isang Yun is performed for the first time, in St. Blasien in the Black Forest, on the composer’s 76th birthday.
May 28, 1994:
The second of the OstWest-Miniaturen for oboe and cello by Isang Yun (76) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
February 19, 1995:
Wind Octet by Isang Yun (77) is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart.
May 9, 1995:
Epilog for soprano, female chorus, and five instruments by Isang Yun (77) is performed for the first time, in Suntory Hall, Tokyo. Also premiered is Yun’s Engel in Flammen for orchestra.
September 17, 1995:
Seven Etudes for cello by Isang Yun is performed for the first time, on the composer’s 78th birthday.
September 26, 1995:
Quintet for clarinet and strings no.2 by Isang Yun (78) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 3, 1995:
Isang Yun dies in the Waldkrankenhaus, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany, aged 78 years, one month, and 17 days. His earthly remains will be laid to rest at the Landschaftsfriedhof Gatow in Berlin.
November 7, 1995:
Two works by Isang Yun (†0) are performed for the first time, in Vienna: The first of the OstWest-Miniaturen for oboe and cello, and the Quartet for oboe, violin, viola, and cello.
November 8, 1995:
Gagok for voice and harp by Isang Yun (†0) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.