June

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    1 June

    1 June 1488 Georg Rhau is born in Eisfeld an der Werre.

    1 June 1653 Georg Muffat is baptized in Megeve, Savoy.

    1 June 1789 Jan Ladislav Dussek (29) performs at Hanover Square Rooms, London, perhaps his first appearance in England.

    1 June 1791 Joseph Haydn (59) witnesses a performance of Messiah by George Frideric Handel (†32) in Westminster Abbey.  Although he has heard Handel before, the English tradition “astonishes” him and he starts to think about oratorios.

    Ti rasserena o cara, a sextet for Gazzaniga’s Le vendemmie by Luigi Cherubini (30), is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre De Monsieur, Paris.

    1 June 1804 06:00  Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka is born in Novospasskoye (Glinka), 22 km from Yelnya in the Smolensk district, the second and eldest surviving of ten children born to Ivan Nikolayevich Glinka, a retired army captain and landowner and Yevgeniya Andreyevna Glinka, daughter of a landowner.  His parents are second cousins.

    1 June 1809 The earthly remains of Franz Joseph Haydn are taken in an oaken coffin to Gumpendorff Church, carried around the church three times, blessed and then taken to Hundsthurm Cemetery where they are laid to rest.

    1 June 1810 Meyer Beer (Giacomo Meyerbeer) (18) arrives in Darmstadt with his brother Heinrich, his tutor Aron Wolfssohn and a servant.  He has come to study with Georg Joseph Vogler (60).  One of his fellow students is Carl Maria von Weber (23).

    1 June 1828 Gaetano Donizetti (30) marries Virginia Vasselli in the church of Santa Maria a Via.  She is the daughter of a respected Vatican lawyer.

    1 June 1836 Gaetano Donizetti’s (38) melodramma giocoso Il campanello di notte to words of the composer after Brunswick, Troin, and Lhérie is performed for the first time, at Teatro Nuovo, Naples, to a good reception.

    1 June 1837 Otto Nicolai (26) takes up his position as Kapellmeister of the Vienna Hoftheater.

    1 June 1839 Frédéric Chopin (29), George Sand and her children arrive from Marseille at her chateau Nohant in Berry.  It is the first time he has seen it.

    1 June 1840 Robert Schumann (29) files charges with the court in Dresden, charging Friedrich Wieck with defamation of character for his document of last 14 December and suing him for all the money that Clara (20) has earned on tour.  The suit for the money will be settled out of court, but next April Wieck will be found guilty of slander, sentenced to 18 days in jail required to pay damages and court costs.  (It is not known whether Wieck spends any time in jail.)

    1 June 1847 Bedrich Smetana (23) leaves the service of Count Leopold Thun and sets out on a piano playing tour of western Bohemia.

    1 June 1853 Two works for piano and orchestra by Franz Liszt (41) are performed for the first time, in Pest:  Fantasie über Motive aus Beethovens Ruinen von Athen and Fantasie über Ungarische Volksmelodien.

    1 June 1857 John Knowles Paine (18) performs professionally for the first time, accompanying the violinist Carl Gartner in a concert in Lancaster Hall, Portland, Maine.  Advertisements for the performance, which includes several other musicians, do not mention Paine’s name.

    1 June 1869 The second revision of Bedrich Smetana’s (45) comic opera The Bartered Bride to words of Sabina is performed for the first time, in the Provisional Theatre, Prague.

    1 June 1871 The first Wagner(58)-Verein is founded, in Mannheim.

    1 June 1873 Jacques Offenbach (53) takes over management of the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris.

    1 June 1877 After an exchange of letters, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (37) meets Antonina Ivanovna Milyukova for the first time, in Moscow.  She is a former Moscow Conservatory student who has fallen in love with him.

    1 June 1894 Engelbert Humperdinck (39) meets Gustav Mahler (33) for the first time, in Weimar.

    1 June 1897 Licht, Du ewiglich eines, a hymn for chorus and orchestra by Richard Strauss (32), is performed for the first time, in Munich conducted by the composer.  The work helps to open an art exhibit.

    1 June 1898 Song of Welcome op.42 for chorus and orchestra by Amy Cheney Beach (30) is performed for the first time, in Omaha, Nebraska for the opening of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition.

    1 June 1901 Carl Nielsen’s (35) Cantata for the Students’ Association, for solo voices, piano, and other instruments, to words of Drachmann, is performed for the first time, in Copenhagen, the composer directing from the piano.

    1 June 1902 Charles Ives (27) leaves his position as organist at New York’s Central Presbyterian Church, donating his anthems and organ music to the church.  When the church moves in 1915, these works will be discarded.

    1 June 1904 Die Heinzelmännchen op.14 for bass and orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (35) to words of Kopisch is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.

    1 June 1917 These Things Shall Be for unison choir by Charles T. Griffes (32) to words of Symonds is performed for the first time, in the Hippodrome, New York.

    1 June 1918 Sergey Prokofiev (27) reaches Tokyo, just missing his boat for Rio de Janeiro.  He will give concerts in Tokyo to small, polite audiences.

    1 June 1919 Inno a Roma for chorus and instruments by Giacomo Puccini (60) to words of Salvatori, is performed for the first time, in the National Stadium, Rome.  The composer calls it “a load of rubbish.”

    1 June 1920 Aglavaine et Sélisette, an overture by Arthur Honegger (25), is performed publicly for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris.  See 3 April 1917.

    1 June 1922 The Chicago Musical Arts Studio opens, supported by nine society ladies and with Otto Luening as director (21).

    1 June 1923 Incidental music to Flecker’s play Hassan by Frederick Delius (61) is performed for the first time, in the Hessische Landes-Theater, Darmstadt.

    Padmâvatî op.18, an opera-ballet by Albert Roussel (54) to words of Laloy, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    1 June 1925 Concerto grosso no.1 for strings and piano by Ernest Bloch (44) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland, directed by the composer.

    1 June 1927 Gustav Holst’s (52) choral ballet The Morning of the Year to words of Wilson, is staged for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London, the composer conducting.  See 27 March 1927.

    1 June 1931 Quatre poèmes de Guillaume Apollinaire, for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (32) are performed for the first time, in the Salle Chopin, Paris.  Also premiered is Poulenc’s Trois Poèmes de Louise Lalanne for voice and piano to words of Laurencin and Apollinaire.  The composer plays piano for both.

    1 June 1935 Incidental music to Sundukian’s play The Ravaged Heart by Aram Khachaturian (31) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.

    1 June 1937 The Ministry of Popular Culture is created in Italy.  All foreign words and names are banned in favor of Italian replacements.  Louis Armstrong becomes Luigi Fortebraccio.  Benny Goodman is now Beniamino Buonuomo.  Soon, jazz will be banned entirely.

    1 June 1942 Liberty Barricade, an underground newspaper of the Polish Socialist Party, publishes an extensive description of gassing at Chelmo.  At least one death camp is now public in Europe and the West.

    An airplane from the USSR arrives in New York.  Aboard is a box of microfilm containing the score and parts of the Symphony no.7 “Leningrad” by Dmitri Shostakovich (35).  See 19 July 1942.

    1 June 1945 William Schuman (34) enters full-time duties as Director of Publication at G. Schirmer publishers.

    1 June 1947 Theme and Variations for solo accordion and orchestra by Roy Harris (49) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Chicago.

    1 June 1948 Nine Preludes op.231b for organ by Darius Milhaud (55) are performed for the first time, in Paris.

    1 June 1953 Benjamin Britten (39) is created a Companion of Honour on the coronation list.

    Four works for chorus by British composers are performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London, as part of the celebrations for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II:  Silences and Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams (80) to words of his wife Ursula Vaughan Williams, What is it Like to be Young and Fair by Arnold Bax (69) to words of Clifford Bax, The Hills by John Ireland (73) to words of Kirkup, and Michael Tippett’s (48) madrigal Dance, Clarion Air to words of Fry.

    Suite concertante op.278b for piano and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (60) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.

    1 June 1954 David, an opera by Darius Milhaud (61) to words of Lunel, commissioned to celebrate the 3,000 years since the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Judea, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Jerusalem.  See 2 February 1955.

    1 June 1955 Klavierstücke V-VIII no.4 by Karlheinz Stockhausen (26) are performed completely for the first time, in Darmstadt.  During the performance talking and giggling begin in the audience, which draws epithets in French from Pierre Boulez (30).  Eventually the battling whistles and applause make it impossible for the music to be heard and Stockhausen grabs the music and stalks off, locking himself in his hotel room.  After considerable effort by Luigi Nono (31) he is lured back to the hall.  The music is restarted, whereupon the entire sequence of events begins again.  The pianist, Marcelle Mercenier, thereupon abandons the performance.  See 21 August 1954.

    String Quartet in two movements by Bruno Maderna (35) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt.

    1 June 1958 Fantasy in two movements for violin by Ross Lee Finney (51) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.

    1 June 1966 Elegy for orchestra by John Corigliano (28) is performed for the first time, in the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco.

    1 June 1967 Army Order no.13 is issued in Athens.  “1.  We have decided and we order that throughout the country it is forbidden (a) to reproduce or play the music and songs of the composer Mikis Theodorakis (41), the former leader of the now dissolved communist organization, the Lambrakis Youth because this music is in the service of communism; (b) to sing any songs used by the communist youth movement which was dissolved under Paragraph Eight of the Decree of 6 May 1967, since these songs arouse passions and cause strife among the people.  2.  Citizens who contravene this order will be brought immediately before the military tribunal and judged under martial law.”

    The Shoemaker’s Holiday, a ballad opera by Dominick Argento (39) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Dekker, is performed for the first time, in Tyrone Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis.  It is a surprise hit, receiving 30 performances.

    1 June 1969 Three movements of the Suite for harp op.83 by Benjamin Britten (55) are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC2 TV.  See 24 June 1969.

    1 June 1972 The Triumph of Time for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (37) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.

    1 June 1974 Music in Twelve Parts for instrumental ensemble by Philip Glass (37) is performed completely for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.  The work is very successful, his first concert in a traditional concert hall.

    1 June 1975 A Reliquary for Igor Stravinsky (†4) for orchestra by Charles Wuorinen (36) is performed for the first time, in Ojai, California.

    1 June 1976 The Hero, a comic opera by Gian Carlo Menotti (64) to his own words, is performed for the first time, at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia.

    1 June 1979 Nine Beginnings for two pianos by Kevin Volans (29) is performed for the first time, at Beginner Studio, Cologne.  Also premiered is Volans’ Delay in Glass for two singers, Irish harp, two pianos, and tape.

    Music for a Large Ensemble by Steve Reich (42) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    1 June 1982 The Twilight Stood for voice and piano by Leon Kirchner (63) to words of Dickinson is performed for the first time, in Charleston, South Carolina.

    1 June 1984 Unbroken Circle for alto flute, bass clarinet, piano, viola, and cello by Peter Maxwell Davies (49) is performed for the first time, privately, in Bath Assembly Rooms.

    1 June 1986 Serenade for violin by Hans Werner Henze (59) is performed for the first time, in Bad Godesburg.

    1 June 1988 Symbolon for orchestra by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (49) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg.

    1 June 1989 Jabiru Dreaming for percussion ensemble by Peter Sculthorpe (60) is performed for the first time, in Neuilly-sur-Seine.

    1 June 1991 Ojai Festival Overture by Peter Maxwell Davies (56), commissioned for the Ojai Music Festival, is performed for the first time, in Libby Park Bowl, Ojai, California directed by the composer.

    1 June 1992 Concerto “Shir Ha Ma’alot” for woodwind quintet and orchestra by Samuel Adler (64) is performed for the first time, in Mannheim.

    1 June 1996 Songs for a Winter’s Evening for soprano and orchestra by Thea Musgrave (68) to words of Burns is performed for the first time, in Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries.

    1 June 1997 Notre Père for children’s choir by John Tavener (53) is performed for the first time, at Saint-André de Colmar, France.

    1 June 1998 The Truman Show, a film with music by Philip Glass (61) is shown for the first time, in Westwood, California.

    1 June 2002 Tenebrae for soprano, clarinet, and string quartet by Osvaldo Golijov (41) is performed for the first time, in Dock Theatre, Charleston, South Carolina.

    1 June 2005 Jeux deux for hyperpiano, orchestra, and video projections by Tod Machover (51) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.

    The film Ned Rorem:  Word and Music is shown for the first time.

    1 June 2007 Book of Longing, a cycle for voices, electronic keyboard, flute/bass clarinet, hand percussion, violin, cello, upright bass, and oboe/english horn by Philip Glass (70) to words of Cohen, is performed for the first time, in Toronto.

    1 June 2008 Fourth Piano Sonata by Charles Wuorinen (69) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.

    1 June 2009 Fanfara Barolo for brass by Harrison Birtwistle (74) is performed for the first time, in Bath Abbey.

    2 June

    2 June 1768 At a concert at the Thatched House Tavern in St. James’ St., London, Johann Christian Bach (32) plays a “solo on the Piano Forte.”  This is one of the first times that the piano is publicly used as a solo instrument in London.

    2 June 1771 Armida, a dramma per musica by Antonio Salieri (20) to words of Coltellini after Tasso, is performed for the first time, in the Burgtheater, Vienna.

    2 June 1788 The aria Un bacio di mano K.541 for bass by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (32) to words possibly by da Ponte is performed for the first time, in Anfossi’s (61) Le gelosie fortunate at the Burgtheater, Vienna.

    2 June 1800 Cesare in Farmacusa, a dramma eroicomico by Antonio Salieri (49) to words of Defranceschi, is performed for the first time, in the Kärntnertortheater, Vienna.  It is well received.

    2 June 1802 By the wishes of the retiring kapellmeister, Carlo Lenzi, Simon Mayr (38) becomes kapellmeister of Santa Maria Maggiore, Bergamo.

    2 June 1808 The “Bologna” Mass of Gioachino Rossini (16) is performed for the first time, in the Chiesa della Madonna di San Luca.  He contributes three sections of a composite mass by the students of the Liceo Musicale.

    2 June 1809 A requiem mass is said in memory of Franz Joseph Haydn in the Gumpendorf church.  The music is a setting of the Requiem by Michael Haydn (†2).

    2 June 1811 Cantata per la nascità del re di Roma by Simon Mayr (47) to words of Muletti is performed for the first time, in Bergamo for the benefit of the Pio Instituto Musicale.  On the same day, Mayr’s cantata Numa Pompilio to words of Carrara-Spinelli is performed for the first time, in Bergamo for the christening of the King of Rome.

    2 June 1825 Rondo in c minor op.1 becomes the first work of Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin (15) to be commercially published, courtesy of Brzezina & Co.

    2 June 1826 Le timide, ou Le nouveau séducteur, an opéra comique by Daniel François Esprit Auber (44) to words of Scribe and Saintine, is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.

    2 June 1831 Hector Berlioz (27) arrives in Rome in the company of a group of monks traveling there for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

    2 June 1855 Jenny Bell, an opéra comique by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber (73) to words of Scribe, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.

    2 June 1857 Edward William Elgar is born in Broadheath, five km northwest of Worcester, the fourth of seven children born to William Henry Elgar, organist and piano tuner, and Anne Greening, daughter of a Herefordshire farmer.

    2 June 1871 Aus der Heimath op.347, a polka mazur by Johann Strauss (45), is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    2 June 1873 After being emotionally unable to attend the funeral of Alessandro Manzoni, Giuseppe Verdi (59) travels to Milan to visit his grave.  In a day or two, Verdi will write to the mayor of Milan, offering to compose a Requiem mass for the anniversary of Manzoni’s death.  See 22 May 1874.

    By a vote of the President and Fellows of Harvard University, John Knowles Paine (34) is appointed Assistant Professor of Music.  He is the first to hold such a position in the United States.

    2 June 1874 Edvard Grieg (30) receives a grant of 1,600 Norwegian kroner by the Parliament.

    2 June 1880 String Quartet in d minor by Ethel Smyth (22) is performed for the first time, in Leipzig.

    2 June 1889 A recital by students of Emile Decombes at the Salle Erard, Paris sees the earliest known performance by Maurice Ravel (14).  He plays an excerpt from Moscheles’ Third Piano Concerto.

    2 June 1894 Selections from Christus, a sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein (64) to words of Bulthaupt, are performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Stuttgart, the composer directing.  This turns out to be his last conducting performance.  See 25 May 1895.

    2 June 1896 Gabriel Fauré (51) becomes chief organist at the Madeleine.

    At a concert in Salle Pleyel, Paris celebrating 50 years of professional music making by Camille Saint-Saëns (60), his Concerto for piano and orchestra no.5 op.103 is heard for the first time, the composer at the keyboard.  Also premiered by the composer is his Sonata no.2 op.102 for violin and piano.

    2 June 1909 Noel for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra by George Whitefield Chadwick (54) is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut.

    2 June 1911 Isabeau, a leggenda drammatica by Pietro Mascagni (47) to words of Illica after the Lady Godiva legend, is performed for the first time, at the Teatro Coliseo, Buenos Aires, the composer conducting.  It is a success and Mascagni is given 20 curtain calls at the end.

    The first movement of a Sonata in d minor for piano by Arnold Bax (27) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.

    2 June 1913 Luigi Russolo (28) gives the first demonstration of an “Intonarumore” (noise-instrument) in the Teatro Stocchi, Modena.  He calls the instrument a scoppiatore (crackler).  It sounds like an internal combustion engine.

    Ouverture d’un opéra-comique inachevé for orchestra by Camille Saint-Saëns (77) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London 60 years after it was composed.  The performance is part of a celebration of 75 years since Saint-Saëns’ debut as a pianist.

    2 June 1919 The first public concert devoted to the music of Paul Hindemith (23) takes place at the newly founded Verein für Theater-und Musikkultur in Frankfurt-am-Main.  Works premiered include the Violin Sonata op.11/1, the Viola Sonata op.11/4 and the String Quartet no.2 op.10.  The composer appears as violist in the quartet, as pianist in the two sonatas.

    2 June 1927 Maurice Ravel (52) and Manuel de Falla (50) are at the same dinner party given by Henri Prunières in Paris.  They probably meet here for the first time.

    2 June 1933 The orchestral suite Cuauhnáhuac by Silvestre Revueltas (33) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Hidalgo, Mexico City.

    2 June 1937 Alban Berg’s (†1) incomplete opera Lulu, to his own words after Wedekind, is performed for the first time, in Zürich.

    2 June 1940 Music for Auden’s play The Dark Valley by Benjamin Britten (26) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the CBS radio network originating in New York.

    2 June 1946 Pilgrim Psalms for soloists, chorus, organ, or orchestra by Ross Lee Finney (39) to words from the Ainsworth Psalter is performed for the first time, in Ithaca, New York.

    2 June 1953 Variaciones concertantes for chamber orchestra by Alberto Ginastera (37) is performed for the first time, in Buenos Aires.

    Five new works by British composers are performed during the coronation ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey:  Coronation Te Deum for chorus, orchestra, and organ, and Orb and Sceptre Coronation March for orchestra, both by William Walton (51); Coronation March for orchestra by Arnold Bax (69); The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune for chorus, unison chorus, orchestra, and organ and O Taste and See, a motet for chorus and organ to words of the Bible, both by Ralph Vaughan Williams (80).  It is the first British coronation to be televised.  See 18 March 1953.

    2 June 1957 Perspektiven, music to an imaginary ballet for two pianos by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (39), is staged for the first time, at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Düsseldorf.

    Duo for clarinet and piano by Arthur Berger (45) is performed for the first time, at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts.

    2 June 1960 A contract dispute between Actors Equity and the League of New York Theatres closes Broadway for the first time since 1919.

    Sete vezes for voice and piano by Heitor Villa-Lobos (†0) to words of Vasconcellos, is performed for the first time, in Rio de Janeiro.  See 29 January 1962.

    Tarrant Moss, a song by Charles Ives (†6) to words of Kipling, is performed for the first time, in New Haven.

    2 June 1963 Hymn of St. Columba for chorus and organ by Benjamin Britten (49), commissioned to mark the 1400th anniversary of St. Columba’s mission to Iona, is performed for the first time, in Churchill, County Donegal, Ireland the birthplace of the saint.

    2 June 1966 17 Tage und 4 Minuten, an opera by Werner Egk (65) to his own words after Calderón de la Barca, is performed for the first time, in the Württembergisches Staatstheater, Stuttgart.  This is a reworking of his opera Circe.  See 18 December 1948.

    2 June 1967 The Building of the House op.79 for chorus and orchestra by Benjamin Britten (53) to words of Psalm 127, composed to celebrate the opening of the Maltings Concert Hall by Queen Elizabeth II, is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.

    2 June 1969 St. Thomas Wake, foxtrot for orchestra on a pavan by John Bull by Peter Maxwell Davies (34), is performed for the first time, in Dortmund the composer conducting.

    Stop (Paris version) no.18 1/2 for 18 instruments by Karlheinz Stockhausen (40) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    Kraanerg, a ballet for orchestra and tape by Iannis Xenakis (47), commissioned for the opening of the Canadian National Arts Center, is performed for the first time, at the inauguration of the National Arts Center, Ottawa.

    2 June 1971 An Imaginary Landscape for brass, eight double basses, and percussion by Harrison Birtwistle (36) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London conducted by Pierre Boulez (46).

    2 June 1972 I Met Heine on the Rue Fürstenberg for female voice, flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, and cello by Morton Feldman (46) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    2 June 1973 Orpheus for violin or viola or cello and orchestra by Lukas Foss (50) is performed for the first time, in Ojai, California.  On the same program is the premiere of Threnody II:  Beatrice Cunningham in memoriam for alto flute, two violins, viola, and cello by Aaron Copland (72).

    2 June 1976 Oboe and Orchestra for oboe and orchestra by Morton Feldman (50) is performed for the first time, in Rotterdam.  Also premiered is Feldman’s vocalise Voice, Violin, and Piano for female voice, violin, and piano.

    2 June 1979 Dramatic Fantasia for piano by Frank Bridge (†38) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London 73 years after it was composed, during the centennial of the composer’s birth.

    2 June 1980 Night Fantasies for piano by Elliott Carter (71) is performed for the first time, in Bath, Great Britain.

    Fragmente-Stille, an Diotima for string quartet by Luigi Nono (56) is performed for the first time, in Bonn.

    2 June 1983 The English Cat, an opera by Hans Werner Henze (56) to words of Bond after Balzac, is performed for the first time, in the Württemburgische Staatsoper Stuttgart.  See 9 August 1990.

    2 June 1985 A String Trio by Alfred Schnittke (50) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.

    Flammen, an opera by Franz Schreker (†51), to words of Leen, is staged for the first time, in Vienna.

    2 June 1986 Verzeichnung-Studie for viola, cello, and double bass by Wolfgang Rihm (34) is performed for the first time, on Insel Hombroich.

    2 June 1988 Phases for orchestra by Jean-Claude Risset (50) is performed for the first time, at Radio-France, Paris.

    2 June 1989 William Schuman’s (78) Chester:  Variations for piano is performed for the first time, in Fort Worth, Texas.

    2 June 1991 Ave Verum Corpus for chorus and strings by John Harbison (52) is performed for the first time, in Ojai, California.  See 3 January 1991.

    2 June 1992 Litany of Sins for orchestra by Anthony Davis (41) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    Peer Gynt, a theatre piece by John C. Eaton (57) to his own words after Ibsen, is performed for the first time, in New York.

    2 June 1993 A Singing Telegram for Amelia Freedman from Robin Holloway for string sextet by Robin Holloway (49) is performed for the first time, in Bath.

    2 June 2004 John Adams (57) wins the first Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Musical Composition from Northwestern University.  He receives $100,000.

    2 June 2007 Frau Margot, an opera by Thomas Pasatieri (61) to words of Corsaro, is performed for the first time, in Fort Worth, Texas.

    2 June 2010 ICARUS: at the Edge of Time, a multimedia work by Brian Greene and Philip Glass (73) is performed for the first time, in Alice Tully Hall, New York.

    3 June

    3 June 1790 Cantata per la sollenità del SS Corpo di Cristo by Giovanni Paisiello (50) is performed for the first time, in Naples.

    3 June 1791 The last of the Haydn (59)-Salomon concerts for this season takes place in London.  Salomon includes Jan Ladislav Dussek (31) performing a new piano concerto.

    3 June 1799 Jan Ladislav Dussek (39) appears at a benefit concert for Domenico Dragonetti, his last recorded appearance in London.

    3 June 1830 After an extended stay, Felix Mendelssohn (21) takes his leave of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe at the poet’s home in Weimar.  Goethe is much taken with the young musician and presents him with a page of the original manuscript of Faust inscribed to my “dear young friend F.M.B., powerful, gentle master of the piano.”

    3 June 1831 Nicolò Paganini (48) opens in London after a campaign led by The Times to brand him a miser.

    3 June 1848 Two works by Johann Strauss (22) are performed for the first time, in Vienna:  Studenten-Marsch op.56 at the Alte Universität, and Liguorianer-Seufzer op.57, a scherzpolka, at the Blaue Flasche

    3 June 1854 A new organ is inaugurated in Winchester Cathedral by its organist, Samuel Sebastian Wesley (43) before a large crowd.  His virtuosic display is followed by a service consisting of his music, including the first performance of an anthem written for the occasion, By the word of the Lord were the heavens made.

    3 June 1857 The earthly remains of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (†0) arrive in Kronstadt aboard the steamship Vladimir from Stettin (Szczecin).

    3 June 1866 At a concert in Santiago de Chile, Louis Moreau Gottschalk (37) introduces his L’Alianza dedicated to the alliance of Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador against Spain, and the friendship of those four countries with the United States.

    3 June 1867 Arthur Sullivan’s (25) overture Marmion is performed for the first time, at St. James’ Hall, London.

    3 June 1869 Georges Bizet (30) marries Genevieve Halévy, daughter of the composer Fromental Halévy (†7), in the office of the mayor of the Ninth Arrondissement, Paris.

    Louis Moreau Gottschalk (40) gives his first concert in Rio de Janeiro, before the Emperor and members of the royal family.

    3 June 1873 St. Peter, an oratorio by John Knowles Paine (34), is performed for the first time, in Portland, Maine.

    3 June 1874 A Piano Concerto in B flat by Charles Villiers Stanford (21) is performed for the first time, in Cambridge.

    3 June 1875 02:00  Georges Alexandre César Léopold Bizet dies at Bougival of a heart attack, aged 36 years, 7 months and nine days.

    3 June 1881 The instrumental version of Burschenwanderung op.389, a polka française by Johann Strauss (55), is performed for the first time, in the Musikverein, Vienna.

    3 June 1893 Land to the Leeward for unison chorus and piano by Arthur Foote (40) is performed for the first time, at the Columbian Exhibition, Chicago.

    3 June 1896 Three symphonic poems by Antonín Dvorák (54) are performed for the first time, privately, in Prague:  The Golden Spinning Wheel op.109, The Water Goblin, and The Noon Witch.  See 26 October 1896, 14 November 1896, and 21 November 1896.

    3 June 1897 Symphonic Variations by Hubert Parry (49) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.  It is well received.

    3 June 1899 16:15  Johann Strauss dies of pneumonia in the arms of his wife Adèle, in his Vienna home, aged 73 years, seven months, and nine days.  In the Vienna Volksgarten, Eduard Kremser is conducting an open-air concert.  When the news reaches him, he makes a brief announcement to the audience, turns and conducts An der schönen, blauen Donau.

    3 June 1903 Incidental music to Yeats’ play A Pot of Broth by Henry F. Gilbert (34) is performed for the first time, in the Carnegie Lyceum, New York.  Also heard for the first time is Gilbert’s Oceanic Air.

    3 June 1913 Incidental music to Oehlenschlaeger’s play Midsummer Eve Play by Carl Nielsen (47) is performed for the first time, in Copenhagen.

    3 June 1914 Deux mélodies hébraique for voice and piano by Maurice Ravel (39) are performed for the first time, at the Salle Malakoff, Paris, the composer at the piano.  Also premiered is the Sonata for flute and piano op.52 by Charles Koechlin (46).

    3 June 1915 Two new orchestral works are premiered at the Norfolk Festival in Connecticut:  Tam O’Shanter, a symphonic ballad by George Whitefield Chadwick (60) and the Piano Concerto no.2 op.126 of Charles Villiers Stanford (62).

    Recessional for chorus, trumpet, and three trombones by Arthur Foote (62) to words of Kipling is performed for the first time, in Boston.

    3 June 1918 George (19) and Ira Gershwin collaborate for the first time, and create the song The Real American Folk Song.

    3 June 1922 Mavra, an opera buffa by Igor Stravinsky (39) to words of Kochno after Pushkin, is performed publicly for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.  In spite of the good reception of the invited audience five days ago, the public response is a general yawn.  See 29 May 1922.

    3 June 1926 Erik Satie’s (†0) pantomime Jack-in-the-Box to a scenario by Balanchine, orchestrated by Darius Milhaud (33), is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt, Paris, 27 years after it was composed.

    Preface au Livre de Vie for two pianos, four soloists, and orchestra by Nicolas Obouhow (34) is performed for the first time, in Paris, the composer at one keyboard.  It is the first part of his massive Le Livre de Vie, a work of about 2,000 pages.

    3 June 1928 Roses de (en) métal, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (36) to a story by de Gramont, is performed for the first time, in Salle Oedenkoven, Paris.

    3 June 1929 Nouvelle sonatine op.87/3 for piano by Charles Koechlin (61) is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.

    3 June 1931 Edward Elgar (74) is created First Baronet of Broadheath.

    3 June 1933 Edward Elgar (76) is named GCVO, Knight of the Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.

    3 June 1934 The American Musicological Society is organized and incorporated in New York.

    3 June 1935 Among the birthday honors handed down by King George V is an Order of Merit for Ralph Vaughan Williams (62) and a knighthood for Ernest MacMillan (41).

    3 June 1936 This date marks the first appearance of La jeune France, a group formed by Olivier Messiaen (27) and three others to oppose Neo-Classicism, balance and order.  Orchestral music is performed at the Salle Gaveau featuring the works of Messiaen, Yves Baudrier, Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur and André Jolivet.

    3 June 1937 La citadelle du silence, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (44) and Arthur Honegger (45), is released in France.

    3 June 1945 Five Prayers for women’s voices over the Pater noster as cantus firmus by Ernst Krenek (44) to words of Donne, is performed for the first time, at Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota.

    3 June 1947 Francis Poulenc’s (48) opéra-bouffe Les mamelles de Tirésias, to words of Apollinaire, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.

    3 June 1953 Florence Beatrice Smith Price dies of a stroke at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago, aged 66 years, one month, and 25 days.

    3 June 1958 Stradivario, a ballet by Gian Francesco Malipiero (76) to his own story, is staged for the first time, in a Dortmund.  See 20 June 1949.

    3 June 1961 A suite from the ballet The Quest by William Walton (59) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.  See 6 April 1943.

    3 June 1964 Martin’s Lie, a church opera by Gian-Carlo Menotti (52) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Bristol Cathedral.

    Caroles op.402 for chorus and orchestra by Darius Milhaud (71) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France.

    3 June 1967 The Golden Vanity op.78, a vaudeville for boys’ chorus and piano by Benjamin Britten (53) to words of Graham, is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.

    The Bear, an opera by William Walton (65) to words of Dehn and the composer after Chekhov, is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

    Music for “Museum Event no.5” by John Cage (54) is performed for the first time, at Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

    3 June 1969 Homage to Haydn for orchestra by Norman Dello Joio (56) is performed for the first time, in Little Rock, Arkansas.  See 17 January 1969.

    3 June 1970 Works by Anton Webern (†24) are performed for the first time, in Cleveland:  Two Pieces for cello and piano (1899) and a cello sonata (1914).

    3 June 1971 Love op.116 for female chorus by Vincent Persichetti (55), to words of the Bible, is performed for the first time, at the composer’s home for his 30th wedding anniversary.

    3 June 1975 Heaven Music for many flutes by Larry Austin (44) is performed for the first time, in Tampa.

    3 June 1976 As Queen Elizabeth II arrives to open the new Lion Terraces at the London Zoo, Roaring Fanfare for brass by William Walton (74) is performed for the first time.

    3 June 1978 Waterways for clarinet, violin, cello, piano, two harps, and two vibraphones by Toru Takemitsu (47) is performed for the first time, in Seibu Theatre, Tokyo.

    3 June 1979 Juana La Loca, an opera by Gian Carlo Menotti (67) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Civic Theatre, San Diego.

    3 June 1984 Wavelength, a multimedia piece for two percussionists, two dancers, and video by Toru Takemitsu (53) is performed for the first time, in Seibu Theatre, Tokyo.

    Concerto in D for violin and orchestra by William Bolcom (46) is performed for the first time.

    3 June 1985 Hail Mary!, the third of the Marian Songs op.54 for chorus by Henryk Górecki (51), is performed for the first time, in Warsaw.

    3 June 1986 Chorale Prelude:  Give Peace, O God op.162 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (70) is performed for the first time, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

    3 June 1989 Incidental music to Pushkin’s play A Feast in Time of Plague by Alfred Schnittke (54) is performed for the first time, in Taganka Theatre, Moscow.

    3 June 1994 Fantasma/Cantos II for trombone and orchestra by Toru Takemitsu (63) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

    3 June 1997 The first public performance of Study for Player Piano no.30 by Conlon Nancarrow (84) takes place in Cologne.

    3 June 1999 The Red Violin:  Suite for violin and orchestra by John Corigliano (61) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    Concerto for water percussion and orchestra--In Memory of Toru Takemitsu (†3) by Tan Dun (41) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.

    3 June 2001 Landscapes for voice and optional bass instruments by Peter Sculthorpe (72) to words of Wright is performed for the first time, in Sydney.

    A revised version of Miss Havisham’s Fire, an opera by Dominick Argento (51) to words of Olon-Scrymgeour after Dickens, is performed for the first time, in Loretto-Hilton Center, St. Louis.  Press and public are very positive.  See 22 March 1979.

    3 June 2004 Concerto grosso no.2 for five clarinets and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (70) is performed for the first time, in Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid.

    Orion, a multi-disciplinary collaborative work for various ethnic instruments and western ensemble by Philip Glass (67) is performed for the first time, in Athens as part of the Olympiad.

    3 June 2006 Hymn to St. Ursula for bassoon, A clarinet, bass clarinet, and contrabassoon by Peter Maxwell Davies (71) is performed for the first time, at a wedding in Edinburgh.

    3 June 2007 Goethe-Lieder for tenor and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (55) is performed for the first time, in Folkwang Hochschule, Essen.

    3 June 2010 Passage 3, an intermedia performance by Roger Reynolds (75), is performed for the first time, at SUNY Buffalo.

    4 June

    4 June 1761 ‘Twas at the nectar’d feast of Jove, an ode by William Boyce (49) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time.  It is the first ode performed in honor of the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1762 Go Flora, an ode by William Boyce (50) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, for the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1763 Common births, like common things, an ode by William Boyce (51) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, for the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1764 To wedded Love, Ye Nations bow, an ode by William Boyce (52) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, for the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1765 Hail to the rosy morn, an ode by William Boyce (53) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1766 Hail to the Man, an ode by William Boyce (54) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1767 Friend to the poor!, an ode by William Boyce (55) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, in honor of the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1769 Patron of the Arts, at length by thee, an ode by William Boyce (57) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1770 Discord hence! the torch resign, an ode by William Boyce (58) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, in honor of the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1771 Long did the churlish East detain, an ode by William Boyce (59) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1772 From scenes of death and deep distress, an ode by William Boyce (60) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to celebrate the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1773 Born for millions are the kings, an ode by William Boyce (61) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1774 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (18) dates his Bassoon Concerto K.191 in Salzburg.

    Hark!--or does the Muse’s ear, an ode by William Boyce (62) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1775 Ye Powers who rule o’er states and Kings, an ode by William Boyce (63) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to celebrate the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1776 Ye Western gales, whose genial breath, an ode by William Boyce (64) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1777 Driven out from Heav’n’s etherial domes, an ode by William Boyce (65) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1778 Arm’d with her native force, an ode by William Boyce (66) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1779 Let Gallia mourn! th’insulting foe, an ode by John Stanley (67) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1780 Still o’er the deep does Britain reign, an ode by John Stanley (68) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1781 Still does the war prevail?, an ode by John Stanley (69) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1782 Still does reluctant Peace refuse, an ode by John Stanley (70) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1783 At length the troubled waters rest, an ode by John Stanley (71) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1784 Hail to the day, whose beams again, an ode by John Stanley (72) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1785 Amid the thunder of war, an ode by John Stanley (73) to words of Warton, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1786 King Carlos III consents to the reopening of Teatro de los Caños del Peral in Madrid to put on Italian opera.  The leaders of hospitals in Madrid hope to lease it to raise money for their institutions.

    When freedom nurs’d her native fire, an ode by John Stanley (†0) to words of Warton, is performed for the first time, to honor the birthday of King George III.

    4 June 1789 The Captivity of Judah, an oratorio by William Crotch (13) to words of Schomberg and Owen, is performed for the first time, at Trinity Hall, Cambridge where Crotch is a student.

    4 June 1799 Adrien, an opéra by Etienne-Nicolas Méhul (35) to words of Hoffman after Metastasio, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.  The work has been changed since the early 1790s to appeal to republican sentiments.  It is a great success.

    4 June 1811 Abu Hassan, a singspiel by Carl Maria von Weber (24) to words of Heimer after A Thousand and One Nights, is performed for the first time, at the Residenz, Munich.  The work enjoys a good success in spite of the fact that a fire alarm is sounded during the first act, requiring the hall to be emptied.

    4 June 1828 A Fugue in e minor D.952 by Franz Schubert (31) for organ or piano duet is performed for the first time, in the Cistercian Abbey Heiligenkreuz near Baden, by the composer and Franz Lachner, in the presence of several monks.

    4 June 1838 Hector Berlioz (34) signs a document making him director of the Théatre-Italien and King Louis-Philippe legalizes it today.  The whole scheme will be disapproved by the legislature.

    4 June 1855 Jacques Offenbach (35) is granted a license to open the Salle Lacaze in Paris and produce various types of shows.  This theatre will later be known as the Bouffes-Parisiens.

    Bijouterie-Quadrille op.169 by Johann Strauss (29) is performed for the first time, in Ungers Casino, Vienna.

    4 June 1864 Three movements of Edvard Grieg’s (20) Symphony in c minor are performed for the first time, in Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen.  See 19 January 1865.

    La Succession Bonnet, a comédie-vaudeville by Jacques Offenbach (44) to words of Saint-Rémy, is performed for the first time, in the Salons du Corps législatif, Paris.

    4 June 1872 Stanislaw Moniuszko dies of a heart attack in Warsaw, aged 53 years and 30 days.

    4 June 1877 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (37) asks Antonina Ivanovna Milyukova to marry him.  She agrees.

    4 June 1878 A setting of Tota pulchra es for tenor, chorus, and organ by Anton Bruckner (53) is performed for the first time, in the Votivkapelle des neuen Doms, Linz.

    4 June 1879 Incidental music to Hugo’s play Notre-Dame de Paris by Jules Massenet (37) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Nations, Paris.  Included is the air Mon père est oyseau, ma mère est oyselle for solo voice.

    4 June 1881 The Association for the Promotion of Church Music in Moravia is approved by the Governor of Moravia.  Its driving force is Leos Janácek (26).

    4 June 1883 Festival Coronation March by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (43) is performed for the first time, in Sokolniki Park, Moscow.

    4 June 1893 Fest-Marsch op.452 by Johann Strauss (67) is performed for the first time, in the Prater, Vienna.

    4 June 1894 Anton Rubinstein (64) gives a concert of his piano music for the students of Stuttgart Conservatory.  It is his last performance.

    4 June 1895 The Light That is Felt for bass, chorus, and organ by Charles Ives (20) to words of Whittier is performed for the first time, in Center Church on the Green, New Haven.

    4 June 1899 Primera Suite bagatelas for orchestra by Julián Carrillo (24) is performed for the first time, at the National Conservatory, Mexico City.

    4 June 1907 A Sonata for violin and piano in g minor by Arnold Bax (23) is performed publicly for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London, the composer at the piano.  See 29 April 1903.

    4 June 1908 A Mass of Life, for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone soloists, chorus, and orchestra, by Frederick Delius (46) to words of Nietzsche, is performed for the first time, in its incomplete form, in Munich.  See 7 June 1909.

    The ballad King Gorm the Grim op.64 by Horatio Parker (44) to words of Fontane (tr. Whitney), is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut.

    4 June 1910 Bohuslav Martinu (19) is expelled from the Royal and Imperial State Conservatory of Bohemia for “incorrigible negligence.”

    Incidental music to Oehlenschlaeger’s play Hagbarth og Signe by Carl Nielsen (44) is performed for the first time, at a new open air theatre in Copenhagen.

    4 June 1912 Aphrodite for orchestra by George Whitefield Chadwick (57) is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut, conducted by the composer.

    4 June 1913 Gustave Charpentier’s (52) lyric poem Julien, ou la vie du poète is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.

    4 June 1914 Oceanides, a tone poem by Jean Sibelius (48), is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut, the composer conducting.  It is a great success.

    4 June 1918 Horatio Parker’s (54) morality play The Dream of Mary op.82 to words of Chapman, is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut.  Also premiered is Land of Our Hearts for male chorus and orchestra by George Whitefield Chadwick (63) to words of Ware, conducted by the composer.

    4 June 1919 Hymne for voice, string quintet, organ, and piano by Charles Martin Loeffler (58) is performed for the first time, in the Unitarian Church, Medfield, Massachusetts, conducted by the composer.

    4 June 1920 Three Tone Pictures op.5 arranged for wind quintet, string quintet, and piano by Charles T. Griffes (†0) is performed for the first time, at Wildwood Farm, the home of Mrs. Alexander L. Dommerich in Greenwich, Connecticut.  See 3 April 1914 and 19 December 1916.

    4 June 1921 Two stage works by Paul Hindemith (25) are performed for the first time, in the Landestheater, Stuttgart:  Mörder, Hoffnung der Frauen op.12, an opera to words of Kokoschka, and Das Nusch-Nuschi op.20, a play for Burmese marionettes to words of Blei.

    4 June 1923 Fête galante, a dance-dream by Ethel Smyth (65) to words of Shanks and the composer after Baring, is performed for the first time, in the Repertory Theatre, Birmingham, the composer conducting.

    4 June 1924 Concerto for violin and orchestra op.34 by Hans Pfitzner (55) is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.

    4 June 1926 Six Studies in English Folksong for cello and piano by Ralph Vaughan Williams (53) is performed for the first time, at the Scala Theatre, London.

    4 June 1927 Two songs by Samuel Barber (17) are performed for the first time, at the George Morris Philips Memorial Chapel in West Chester, Pennsylvania:  Summer is Coming for two voices and piano to words of Tennyson, and Only of Thee and Me for solo voice and piano to words of Untermeyer.

    4 June 1930 Der Wein for solo voice and orchestra by Alban Berg (45) to words of Baudelaire (tr. George), is performed for the first time, in Königsberg.

    4 June 1934 Igor Stravinsky (51) is officially granted French citizenship.  The decree will be dated 10 June.

    4 June 1935 The Limpid Stream, a ballet by Dmitri Shostakovich (28) to a scenario by Lopukhov and Pyotrovsky, is performed for the first time, in the Malyi Opera Theatre, Leningrad.

    4 June 1938 Antonio e Cleopatra, an opera by Gian Francesco Malipiero (56) to his own words after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Comunale, Florence.

    4 June 1942 Song of the Free by Kurt Weill (42) to words of MacLeish is performed for the first time, as part of a revue in the Roxy Theatre, New York.

    4 June 1944 Evening.  American troops reach the center of Rome.  The Hotel Plaza is taken over by Free French forces for their officers.  All guests are required to leave, except for Pietro Mascagni (80) and his wife.

    4 June 1953 Belinsky, a film with music by Dmitri Shostakovich (46), is shown for the first time.

    The development of a “breeder reactor” is announced by the head of the US Atomic Energy Agency in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

    4 June 1955 Ite, angeli veloces, a cantata in three parts by Paul Hindemith (59), is performed completely for the first time, in Wuppertal, conducted by the composer.  The three parts are I.  Chant de triomphe du roi David, to words from the Bible, for alto, tenor, chorus, audience, orchestra, and wind orchestra, II.  Custos quid de nocte for tenor, chorus, and orchestra, and III.  Cantique de l’espérance, to words of Claudel, for mezzo-soprano, chorus, audience, orchestra, and wind orchestra.  See 9 July 1953.

    4 June 1956 A Vision of Aeroplanes, a motet for chorus and organ by Ralph Vaughan Williams (83) to words from the Bible, is performed for the first time, at St. Michael’s, Cornhill, London.

    Variations sur le nom de Marguerite Long for winds, timpani, and strings is performed for the first time, at the Sorbonne, Paris at a Jubilée Marguerite Long.  Contributors are Jean Françaix, Henri Sauguet, Darius Milhaud (63), Jean Rivier, Henri Dutilleux, Daniel Lesur, Francis Poulenc (57), and Georges Auric.  Milhaud’s contribution is Valse en forme de Rondo op.353b, while Poulenc’s is called Bucolique.

    4 June 1980 Dikhthas for violin and piano by Iannis Xenakis (58) is performed for the first time, in Bonn.

    4 June 1982 For 200 Cellos (A Celebration) by Lukas Foss (59) is performed for the first time, at the University of Maryland, College Park.

    Minutes Till Midnight, an opera by Robert Ward (64) to words of Lang and the composer, is performed for the first time, in Dade County Auditorium, Miami.

    4 June 1983 Sonority Forms II by Otto Luening (82) is performed for the first time, in Bennington, Vermont.

    4 June 1984 Bamboula Squared for orchestra and electronic sounds by Charles Wuorinen (45) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York, the composer conducting.

    Transfigured Wind II for flute, orchestra and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (49) is performed for the first time, in New York, conducted by Charles Wuorinen (45).

    4 June 1987 Compresenze for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (35) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.

    Initiale for brass by Pierre Boulez (62) is performed for the first time, in Houston the composer conducting.  See 20 November 1992.

    4 June 1989 Monologue for viola and string orchestra by Alfred Schnittke (54) is performed for the first time, in Bonn.

    Osten from the cycle Die Stücke der Windrose for small orchestra by Mauricio Kagel (57) is performed for the first time, in the Rathaus, Aachen.

    4 June 1990 Petites musiques de chevet for bass clarinet and piano by Betsy Jolas (63) is performed for the first time, in the École de musique d’Evry.

    4 June 1992 Vaslav’s Song for baritone and piano by William Bolcom (54) to words of Eichelberger is performed for the first time.

    4 June 1993 Music to the play Gra by Elliott Carter (84) is performed for the first time at the Pontino Festival, Castello Caetani, Sermonetta, Italy.  The work is a tribute to Witold Lutoslawski on his 80th birthday.

    4 June 1994 ...early in the morning before waking... for seven kotos by Sofia Gubaidulina (62) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.

    4 June 1997 And...They’re Off for violin, cello, and piano by Joan Tower (58) is performed for the first time, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

    4 June 2000 Aria de la folía española for four saxophones, piano-four hands, and percussion by Hans Werner Henze (63), in Hannover.

    Max und Moritz for speaker and orchestra by Samuel Adler (72) is performed for the first time, in Bochum.

    4 June 2004 HyperEtudes for piano by Tod Machover (50) is performed for the first time, in Kresge Auditorium of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    Tremors:  Spatial Declamations for 4 singers and 16 instrumentalists by Henry Brant (90) is performed for the first time, in the Harold Williams Auditorium of the Getty Center, Los Angeles.

    Oracle, part 2 of Sanctuary, for percussion quartet, real-time computer processed and spatialized sound, and lighting design by Roger Reynolds (69) is performed for the first time, at the University of California at San Diego.  See 7 June 2007 and 18 November 2007.

    4 June 2005 Invocations and Last Word for chorus by John Tavener (61) is performed for the first time.

    4 June 2007 Passacaglia for one or two violins, vibraphone, and string orchestra by Arvo Pärt (71) is performed for the first time, in the Ludwigskirche, Saarbrücken.

    4 June 2012 Taking Charge for flute, piano, and percussion by Joseph Schwantner (69) is performed for the first time, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

    5 June

    5 June 1625 Orlando Gibbons dies in Canterbury, aged 41 years, five months, and eleven days.

    5 June 1722 Johann Kuhnau dies in Leipzig, aged 62 years, one month and 30 days.

    5 June 1764 Wolfgang (8) and Nannerl Mozart appear before the English public for the first time in the Spring Garden Rooms, London in a benefit for themselves, before an audience including many aristocrats.  It is very successful.  Leopold (44) reports that they made “100 guineas in three hours.”  (Abert, 42)

    5 June 1773 Empress Maria Theresia grants to Carl Ditters (33) a certificate of nobility and the name “von Dittersdorf.”

    5 June 1780 La finta amante, an opera buffa by Giovanni Paisiello (40), is performed for the first time, in Mogilev, Poland.

    5 June 1794 William Crotch (18) receives the degree of BMus from Oxford University.

    Joseph Barra, a fait historique by André-Ernest-Joseph Grétry (53) to words of Levrier Champ-Rion, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.

    5 June 1805 Simon Mayr’s (41) farsa Di locanda in locanda e sempre in sala to words of Buonavoglia is performed for the first time.

    5 June 1812 Grand Duet for the Organ by Samuel Wesley (46) is performed for the first time, at the Hanover Square Rooms, London by the composer and Vincent Novello.

    5 June 1816 Giovanni Paisiello dies at his home in Naples of hepatitis and meterorism (gaseous distention of the stomach or intestine), aged 76 years and 27 days.

    5 June 1824 Franz Liszt (12) plays his London debut, in a semi-private setting at the Argyll Rooms.

    5 June 1825 The two nurses who attended Antonio Salieri (†0) reassert their claim that since the winter of 1823, at no time did their patient confess to killing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (†32).

    5 June 1826 One day before his planned return home to Dresden, servants in the house of Sir George Smart, London, call to wake their guest, Carl Maria von Weber.  They can not raise him, so the door is broken in.  The composer is found dead in his bed, at the age of 39 years, six months, and approximately 18 days, the victim of the effects of tuberculosis.

    5 June 1830 Hector Berlioz (26) writes to his family in La Côte-St. André to ask consent to marry Camille Moke, a very talented 18-year-old pianist.  To his astonishment, they agree.

    5 June 1833 Felix Mendelssohn (24) arrives in London from Düsseldorf accompanied by his father.  It is Felix’s fourth visit to England.

    5 June 1843 Gaetano Donizetti’s (45) melodramma tragico Maria di Rohan to words of Cammarano after Lockroy and Badon, is performed for the first time, in the Vienna Kärntnertortheater.  The imperial family comes from the country especially for this production.  Donizetti writes, “everything went well, everything, everything.”

    5 June 1851 Raymond, ou Le secret de la reine, an opéra comique by Ambroise Thomas (39) to words of Rosier and de Leuven, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.

    5 June 1857 After a memorial service at the Alyeksandr Nevsky Monastery, St. Petersburg, attended by a large crowd, the earthly remains of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (†0) are laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Tikhvinsky Cemetery of the monastery.

    5 June 1859 Orphée aux enfers by Jacques Offenbach (39) ends its first run of 228 performances at the Bouffes-Parisiens.   It could continue but Offenbach decides to give it a rest, mostly due to the exhaustion of the performers.

    5 June 1865 Germanenzug for male chorus and brass by Anton Bruckner (40) to words of Silberstein is performed for the first time, in Linz for a competition during the Oberösterreichisch-Salzburgisches Sängerbundesfest.  The awards are given out based on audience applause.  Bruckner wins second prize.

    5 June 1871 Charles Villiers Stanford (18) is elected to the post of assistant conductor of the Cambridge University Musical Society.

    5 June 1872 Triumphlied for baritone, chorus and orchestra by Johannes Brahms (39) to words from the Bible is performed completely for the first time, in the Karlsruhe Hoftheater.  It is spectacularly successful.  Clara Schumann (52), who is present, writes that it is “certainly the deepest and grandest piece of church music since Bach.”

    5 June 1874 Richard D’Oyly Carte takes over the management of the Opera Comique in London.  It is his goal to put on stage productions which will be the English equivalents of the operettas of Jacques Offenbach (54).

    5 June 1875 A funeral for the remains of Georges Bizet is held at the Montmartre church of La Trinité attended by 4,000 people.  Among the pallbearers are Ambroise Thomas (63) and Charles Gounod (56).  The earthly remains of the composer are laid to rest in the Cimetière Père-Lachaise.

    The Zoo, an operetta by Arthur Sullivan (33) to words of Rowe (pseud. of Stephenson), is performed for the first time, at St. James’ Theatre, London.  Also on the program is Tom Cobb, a play by WS Gilbert.

    5 June 1891 Sergey Rakhmaninov (18) passes his piano examination with honors at Moscow Conservatory, a year early.

    Mrs. Jeanette M. Thurber, wife of a New York millionaire, sends the following cable from Paris to Antonín Dvorák (49) in Prague:  WOULD YOU ACCEPT DIRECTOR NATIONAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC NEW YORK OCTOBER 1892 ALSO LEAD SIX CONCERTS OF YOUR WORKS.

    5 June 1892 Das deutsche Lied for male chorus and brass by Anton Bruckner (67) to words of Fels is performed for the first time, in Salzburg.

    5 June 1893 After a two-day trip from New York, Antonín Dvorák (51) and his family arrive in Spillville, Iowa, where there is a large Czech expatriate community.  Here he will spend the summer and compose the String Quartet op.96 and the String Quintet op.97.

    5 June 1901 The Quintet for clarinet, horn, violin, cello, and piano in D by Ralph Vaughan Williams (28) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.

    5 June 1903 Richard Strauss’ (38) song for solo voice and orchestra Hymnus op.33/3 to anonymous words, is performed for the first time.

    5 June 1907 Gustav Mahler (46) concludes an agreement with Heinrich Conried, director of the Metropolitan Opera, New York, to conduct the Met during the first four months of 1908.  On the same day, “A Conversation with Gustav Mahler” is published in the Neues Wiener Tagblatt, wherein Mahler defends and explains his actions as Director of the Vienna Hofoper.

    5 June 1909 The body of Isaac Albéniz arrives in Barcelona by train.  The station is transformed into a funeral chapel and the public files by the deceased to pay their respects.

    5 June 1913 A version of Modest Musorgsky’s (†32) opera Khovanshchina, arranged by Igor Stravinsky (30) and Maurice Ravel (38), is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.

    Descriptions automatiques for piano by Erik Satie (47) is performed for the first time, in Salle Erard, Paris.

    Two songs for voice and piano by Charles Koechlin (45) to words of Samain are performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris:  Le cortège d’Amphitrite op.31/2 and La maison du matin op.31/4.

    Henry F. Gilbert’s (44) Negro Rhapsody “Shout” is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut, conducted by the composer.

    5 June 1917 Arthur Farwell (45) marries a 25-year-old actress, Gertrude Everts Brice, daughter of a civil engineer, in New York.

    Symphony no.1 “Sermons in Stone” by John Alden Carpenter (41) is performed for the first time, privately, in the Music Shed of the Litchfield County Choral Union.  See 19 October 1917.

    5 June 1919 La Boutique fantasque, a ballet with music of Gioachino Rossini (†50) arranged by Ottorino Respighi (39), is performed for the first time, by the Ballets Russes, in the Alhambra Theatre, London.

    5 June 1920 Roger Sessions (23), a member of the Smith College faculty, marries Barbara Foster, a recent Smith graduate, in her parents’ home in Claremont, New Hampshire.  Engaged for 18 months, her parents insisted that the wedding be put off until after her graduation.

    5 June 1923 Two of Alban Berg’s (38) Three Pieces for Orchestra op.6 are performed for the first time, in Berlin, conducted by Anton Webern (39).  See 14 April 1930.

    Old King Cole, a ballet by Ralph Vaughan Williams (50), is performed for the first time, at Trinity College, Cambridge.

    Sonatine in A for clarinet and piano by Arthur Honegger (31) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris.

    George White’s Scandals of 1923, a revue with book by Wells and White, lyrics by DeSylva and Goetz, and eight new songs by George Gershwin (24), is performed for the first time in Nixon’s Apollo Theatre, Atlantic City, New Jersey.  See 18 June 1923.

    5 June 1925 The first radio broadcast of a service from Canterbury Cathedral takes place.  The service is the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the death of Orlando Gibbons, who is buried in the cathedral.

    5 June 1929 Gesänge des Orients op.77 for voice and piano by Richard Strauss (64) to words translated by Bethge, is performed for the first time, in Berlin the composer at the keyboard.

    5 June 1930 Gian Francesco Malipiero (48) has his first audience with Benito Mussolini, in Rome.  He brings scores of 47 of his compositions, four of his books, ten volumes of the Monteverdi (†286) edition he has been overseeing, and five of his arrangements of early music.

    5 June 1937 The British Broadcasting Corporation televises opera for the first time.  The third act of Faust, by Charles Gounod (†43) is transmitted to a receiver in the company’s London studio.

    5 June 1938 The World of the Spirit for speakers, solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Benjamin Britten (24) to words from various sources is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC National.

    5 June 1942 String Quartet in c minor op.50 by Hans Pfitzner (73) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    Norman Dello Joio (29) marries Grace Baumgold, the daughter of a diamond broker, in New York.

    Charles Malcolm Dodge is born in Ames, Iowa.

    5 June 1943 Michael Tippett’s (38) cantata Boyhood’s End for tenor and piano to words of Hudson is performed for the first time, at Morley College, London by Peter Pears and Benjamin Britten (29).

    5 June 1945 Incantations op.201 for male chorus by Darius Milhaud (52) to Aztec poems is performed for the first time, in Oakland.

    5 June 1946 Incidental music to Aeschylus’ (tr. Bonnard) play Prométhée by Arthur Honegger (54) is performed for the first time, in an open air theatre in Avenches.

    5 June 1947 Laurie Anderson is born in Chicago, the second of eight children born to Arthur Anderson and Mary Louise Rowland.

    5 June 1948 Benjamin Britten’s (34) cantata St. Nicholas op.42 for vocal soloists, chorus, strings, percussion, and organ to words of Crozier is performed for the first time, at the opening of the first Aldeburgh Festival. 

    5 June 1953 The Bridal Day, a masque by Ralph Vaughan Williams (80) to words of Wood after Spenser is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC television.  The work was composed in 1938-1939 but performance was precluded by the onset of the war.

    5 June 1954 The skull of Franz Joseph Haydn (†145) is placed in an urn and transported in a large motorized procession from Vienna to Rohrau, the composer’s birthplace.  It is then taken to Eisenstadt where it is reunited with the rest of his remains.

    Die schlafende Prinzessin, a ballet by Hans Werner Henze (27) to a scenario by Zehden, is performed for the first time, at the Essen Stadttheater.

    5 June 1958 Incidental music to Meredith’s play Ulysses in Nighttown for electronic sound generators by Otto Luening (57) and Vladimir Ussachevsky (46) is performed for the first time, in the Rooftop Theatre, New York.

    5 June 1959 A Queen’s Fanfare for brass by William Walton (57) is performed for the first time, in Westminster Hall, London.  The work was composed for the entrance of Queen Elizabeth at the NATO Parliamentary Conference.

    5 June 1967 Kommentar+Extempore, a Selbstgesprache mit Gesten by Mauricio Kagel (35), is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt.  Also premiered is Kagel’s Variaktionen.

    5 June 1968 Cross Talk--for Painter Sam Francis for two bandoneons and tape by Toru Takemitsu (37) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.  Also premiered is PING for flute, percussion, piano, electronic sound generators, four-track tape, and slide and film projections by Roger Reynolds (33) after Beckett.

    Cardenitas 68 for soprano, recorder, bassoon, trombone, double bass, percussion, and tape by Robert Erickson (51) to his own words is performed for the first time, at the University of California, San Diego.

    5 June 1970 The 23rd Aldeburgh Festival opens in the newly rebuilt Maltings Concert Hall, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.  See 7 June 1969.

    First Week of June by John Cage (57), David Tudor, and Gordon Mumma (34) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    5 June 1971 Sternklang no.34, park music for five groups by Karlheinz Stockhausen (42), is performed for the first time, in the English Garden, Berlin directed by the composer.  About 4,000 people show up for the outdoor event.

    5 June 1973 Canticum Canticorum Salamonis quod hebraice dicitur “Sid hasirim” for chorus and chamber orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (39) is performed for the first time, in Lisbon.

    5 June 1979 Songes for tape by Jean-Claude Risset (41) is performed for the first time, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

    Introduction to the British National Anthem for twelve trumpets by William Walton (77) is performed for the first time, in the Royal Festival Hall, London.  The work is performed tonight as Salute to Sir Robert Mayer on his 100th Birthday.

    Arise, Shine for chorus and organ by Ned Rorem (55) to words from the Bible is performed for the first time, in Trinity Church, Hartford.

    5 June 1980 Noces chymiques, rituel féérique en sept journées, d'après le récit alchimique de Jehan Valentin Andrea, by Pierre Henry (52) in collaboration with Ionesco and Pick, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Favart, Paris.

    5 June 1989 Tanz- und Salonmusik from the mime-drama Der Idiot by Hans Werner Henze (62) is performed for the first time, in Bristol.

    5 June 1994 Alfred Schnittke (59) suffers a third stroke, while in hospital in Eppendorf, near Hamburg.  It is very serious and rehabilitation will be slow.

    5 June 1998 “Meteorite”, an underground, interactive museum opens in Essen.  The electronic, computer-interactive music for the space was developed by Tod Machover (44).

    A La Esperanza for soprano and organ by Thea Musgrave (70) to words of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (tr. the composer) is performed for the first time, in Boston.

    5 June 2010 String Quartet no.18 by Peter Sculthorpe (81) is performed for the first time, in Montsalvat Barn Gallery, Melbourne.

    AngelSpace for computers by Roger Reynolds (75) is performed for the first time, at SUNY Stony Brook.

    Tzadik ka Tamar for cantor and piano by Shulamit Ran (60) to words of Psalm 92 is performed for the first time, in Temple Beth El, Evanston, Illinois.

    6 June

    6 June 1763 Christoph Willibald Gluck (48) and Carl Ditters (23) return to Vienna from Bologna where they produced Gluck’s Il trionfo di Clelia. Ditters immediately asks Count Durazzo for four weeks dispensation from playing a concerto in public.  He has written several in Italy and wants to rehearse them.

    See, white robed peace, an ode by William Boyce (51) to words of Mallet, is performed for the first time, at St. James’ Park, London.

    6 June 1780 Andromaque, a tragédie lyrique by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (39) to words of Pitra after Racine, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    6 June 1818 Incidental music to Gehe’s play Heinrich IV, König von Frankreich by Carl Maria von Weber (31) is performed for the first time, in the Dresden Hoftheater.

    6 June 1825 Three songs by Franz Schubert (28) to words of Goethe are published by Diabelli, Vienna as his op.19:  An Schwager Kronos, An Mignon, and Ganymed.

    6 June 1830 Hector Berlioz (26) and Camille Moke attempt an elopement.  They get as far as Vincennes before turning back to Paris.

    6 June 1844 Jacques Offenbach (24) performs at Windsor Castle before Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Tsar Nikolay I, King Ludwig I of Bavaria and other illustrious people.  He is a big success.

    6 June 1864 A Venetian Dirge for voice and piano by Charles Villiers Stanford (11) is performed for the first time, privately in Dublin.

    6 June 1865 Traun! Bogen und Pfeil sind gut für den Feind op.33/2, a song by Johannes Brahms (32) to words of Tieck, is performed for the first time, in Cologne.

    6 June 1869 A third child is born to Richard Wagner (56) and Cosima von Bülow at Tribschen, a son, who is named Helferich Siegfried Richard.

    6 June 1880 A setting of the Salve Regina by Edward Elgar (23) is performed for the first time, in St. George’s Church, Worcester.

    6 June 1882 Edvard Grieg (38) is named Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav by King Oscar II.

    6 June 1894 Frederick Shepherd Converse (23) marries Emma Cecile Tudor of Boston in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brookline.

    6 June 1899 The cortege carrying the body of Johann Strauss travels from his house in Ingelgasse, past the Theater-an-der-Wien, the Musikverein and the court opera.  His mortal remains are laid to rest in the Zentralfriedhof near those of Beethoven (†72), Schubert (†70) and Brahms (†2).  Among the mourners is Gustav Mahler (38).

    6 June 1902 Alyeksandr Skryabin (30) formally resigns from Moscow Conservatory.

    6 June 1903 Aram Ilyich Khachaturian is born in Kodjori, a suburb of Tiflis (now part of Tbilisi, Georgia), the youngest of four children born to Egiya (Ilya) Voskanovich Khachaturian, a bookbinder and Kumash Sarkisovna Khachaturian.

    Edward Elgar’s oratorio The Dream of Gerontius is performed in London for the first time, at Westminster Cathedral, conducted by the composer.  It receives a much better response than its premiere.  See 3 October 1900.

    Edward Elgar’s oratorio The Dream of Gerontius is performed in London for the first time, at Westminster Cathedral, conducted by the composer.  It receives a much better response than its premiere.  See 3 October 1900.

    6 June 1909 The body of Isaac Albéniz is born by a horse-drawn hearse from the estació de França through the streets of Barcelona.  It is attended by a military band playing excerpts from Götterdämmerung, the Requiem of Gabriel Fauré (64) and the Funeral March of Frédéric Chopin (†49), and a multitude of people including many city and Catalonian officials.  At the Cementiri del Sud-Oest, the mayor and the composer’s son speak, and the remains are laid to rest.

    6 June 1915 21:57  Vincent Ludwig Persichetti is born in Philadelphia, the first of three children born to Vincent Ruggero Persichetti, an Italian immigrant who works in a bank, and Martha Catherine Buch, a German immigrant, the daughter of a tavern owner.

    6 June 1916 Hora mystica, a symphony by Charles Martin Loeffler (55), is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut, the composer conducting.

    6 June 1917 Georges Auric, Louis Durey, and Arthur Honegger (25) organize an homage to Erik Satie (51) in Salle Huyghens.  This is the beginning of the group of young composers organizing itself around Satie, soon to be called Nouveaux Jeunes.

    6 June 1918 You-Oo just You, a song by George Gershwin (19) to words of Caesar, is performed for the first time, as part of the revue Hitchy-koo of 1918 in the Globe Theatre, New York.

    6 June 1919 Five Songs from “Der siebente Ring” op.3 by Anton Webern (35) to words of George is given its first complete performance, in Vienna.

    Two works by Igor Stravinsky (36) are premiered by the Society for Private Performances, Vienna:  Pribaoutki, for solo voice and chamber ensemble to anonymous words, and Berceuse du chat, for solo voice and three clarinets.  These are the first performances with the instrumental ensembles.  See 22 February 1918 and 20 November 1918.

    Winter Waters for piano by Arnold Bax (35) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.  Also premiered is Variations on Cadet Rousselle for voice and piano by Frank Bridge (40), John Ireland (39), Arnold Bax, and Eugene Goossens to traditional French words.

    6 June 1921 L’homme et son desir, a ballet by Darius Milhaud (28) after Claudel, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.

    6 June 1924 Arnold Schoenberg’s (49) monodrama Erwartung op.17 to words of Pappenheim, is performed for the first time, at the Neue Deutsches Theater, Prague.

    6 June 1925 Symphony no.2 op.40 by Sergey Prokofiev (34) is performed for the first time, in Paris.  The audience response is tepid.  Among those confused by the music is Igor Stravinsky (42).

    6 June 1927 Edgard Varèse (43) becomes a citizen of the United States of America.

    6 June 1928 Die ägyptische Helena, an opera by Richard Strauss (63) to words of Hofmannsthal, is performed for the first time, in the Dresden Staatsoper.  Performed during a week devoted to Strauss’ music, it is a rousing success with the public but the press is unimpressed.

    Impressioni brasiliane for orchestra by Ottorino Respighi (48) is performed for the first time, in São Paulo.  Also premiered is Respighi’s Gli uccelli for chamber orchestra.  The composer conducts both.

    6 June 1929 Walsinghame, for tenor, chorus, and orchestra by Arnold Bax (45) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.

    6 June 1931 Orchesterstück:  Synchrony, by Henry Cowell (34) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris under the name Synchrony of Dance, Music, Light.  Also premiered is the version for full orchestra of Carl Ruggles’ (55) Men and Mountains. Attending is Ruth Crawford (29) on her Guggenheim fellowship.  It is an important concert of American moderns, introducing Europe to the music of Ives (56), Varèse (47), and Ruggles, all conducted by Nicholas Slonimsky.  See 7 December 1924.

    6 June 1934 Many Happy Returns, a film with music by Duke Ellington (35), is released in the United States.

    6 June 1940 Canadian Carnival op.19 for orchestra by Benjamin Britten (26) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC Home Service.

    6 June 1942 Bachianas Brasileiras no.4 in an arrangement for orchestra by Heitor Villa-Lobos (55) is performed for the first time, in New York under the baton of the composer.

    6 June 1943 Two works by Dmitri Shostakovich (36) are performed for the first time, in the Moscow Conservatory Malyi Hall:  Piano Sonata no.2 op.61 and Six Romances on Verses by British Poets op.62 for voice and piano to words of Raleigh, Burns, and Shakespeare (tr. Pasternak and Marshak).  The composer is at the keyboard in both works.  Of the six romances, three were already performed last November.  See 4 Novembern1942.

    6 June 1944 Members of a panzer division in Magdeburg, who have formed a secret Antimilitarist Club, including Hans Werner Henze (17), drink a toast to the invasion of Europe.

    6 June 1948 Abraxas, a ballet by Werner Egk (47) to his own story after Heine, is performed for the first time, in the Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich.

    6 June 1952 Concertino for piano and orchestra by Karel Husa (30) is performed for the first time,  in Brussels.

    6 June 1953 Michael Tippett’s (48) Fanfare no.3 for three trumpets is performed for the first time, from St. Ives Church tower, Cornwall.

    6 June 1957 Arnold Schoenberg’s (†5) unfinished opera Moses und Aron to his own words, is performed completely for the first time, in the Zürich Stadttheater.  See 2 July 1951 & 12 March 1954.

    6 June 1964 The Five Ages of Man for chorus and orchestra by Thea Musgrave (36) to words of Hesiod (tr. Lattimore), is performed for the first time, in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.

    6 June 1965 Ballade of London Nights for piano by John Ireland (†2) is performed for the first time, in a recording session in Broadcasting House, London.  See 30 July 1965.

    Computer Concrete for prepared piano and synthesized sounds by Jean-Claude Risset (27) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    6 June 1967 Memento creatoris for chorus by Thea Musgrave (39) to words of Donne, is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

    6 June 1968 Colloquy for two pianos and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (42) is performed for the first time, in Berlin, the composer conducting.

    6 June 1971 Postlude in F for small orchestra by Charles Ives (†17) is performed for the first time, in Sprague Memorial Hall, Yale University.

    6 June 1977 A Gentle Spirit, a chamber opera by John Tavener (33) to words of McLarnon after Dostoyevsky, is performed for the first time, in the Theatre Royal, Bath.

    6 June 1980 Trois études campanaires for keyboard carillon or piano by Betsy Jolas (53) is performed for the first time, in Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois (carillon).

    6 June 1981 Three Scenes for soprano and instrumental ensemble by Alfred Schnittke (46) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.

    6 June 1982 Two works called Canzona are performed for the first time, in Stuttgart:  Canzona for oboe, three violas, cello, piano, and harpsichord by Hans Werner Henze (55), and Canzona for four violas by Wolfgang Rihm (30).

    6 June 1983 String Quartet:  Feng Ya Song by Tan Dun (25) is performed for the first time, in Dresden.

    6 June 1984 Four Short Sonatas for piano by George Rochberg (65) are performed for the first time, in Rome.

    Intermezzo for Solo Saxophone, Intermezzo for Solo Piano and Intermezzi by TJ Anderson (55) are performed for the first time, at Quartz Mountain, Oklahoma.

    6 June 1987 The Vanity of Words for voice and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (52) to words of Kundera is performed for the first time, in Bourges.

    6 June 1988 Five for any combinations of five voices or instruments by John Cage (75) is performed for the first time, in Witten by the composer and the Kronos Quartet.

    6 June 1990 Little Nourlangie for organ and orchestra by Peter Sculthorpe (61) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, Sydney.

    6 June 1991 Ikon of the Trinity for soprano, bass, and chorus by John Tavener (47) is performed for the first time, in St. John’s Smith Square, London.

    6 June 1992 A Christmas Round for chorus by John Tavener (48) to words from the Orthodox liturgy is performed for the first time, in St. John’s Smith Square, London.  Also premiered is Tavener’s O, Do Not Move for chorus to words of Seferis (tr. Sherrard).

    6 June 1996 The Universe Symphony of Charles Ives (†42), realized by Reinhard, is performed for the first time, in New York.  See 29 October 1993 and 28 January 1994.

    Two theatre pieces by John C. Eaton (61) are performed for the first time, in Chicago:  Don Quixote, to his own words after Cervantes, and Golk to words of Stern.

    6 June 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.

    6 June 2003 Mother and Child for chorus by John Tavener (59) to words of Keeble is performed for the first time, in Salisbury.

    6 June 2005 Commemoration Sixty for chorus and orchestra with brass band and trumpets ad lib by Peter Maxwell Davies (70) is performed for the first time, in Central Hall, Westminster, London conducted by the composer.  The work was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal British Legion, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.  Also premiered is Davies’ Beacons of Hope for military band.

    6 June 2008 Piano Quintet no.2 by Charles Wuorinen (69) is performed for the first time, in Rockport, Massachusetts.

    6 June 2010 das was geschah for chorus and saxophone quartet by Shulamit Ran (60) is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.

    7 June

    7 June 1761 Le périgourdin, an intermezzo by François-Joseph Gossec (27) to words of Piédefer and the Marquis de La Salle d’Offémont, is performed for the first time, in a private theater of the Prince of Conti in Chantilly.

    7 June 1843 Richard Wagner (30) conducts music for the unveiling of a statue of the late Friedrich August I in Dresden, including the premieres of his own Festgesang “Der Tag erscheint” WWV 68 for male chorus to words of CC Hohlfeld and Felix Mendelssohn’s (34) setting of the national anthem of Saxony, Gott segne Sachsenland for male chorus and winds.

    7 June 1856 Louis Moreau Gottschalk (27) gives the last of a series of 16 concerts this Winter and Spring at Dodworth’s Hall, New York.  They are so successful that during the run, 200 seats have been added to the hall, and patrons seated on the stage.

    7 June 1859 Italie, a cantata by Fromental Halévy (60) to words of Saint-Georges, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.  It is part of three days of festivities celebrating the French victory in Italy.

    7 June 1867 Emperor Franz Joseph II invests Franz Liszt (55) with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Franz Joseph.

    7 June 1879 March héroïque de Szabady for orchestra by Jules Massenet (37) dedicated to Franz Liszt (67) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra for a benefit for flood victims in Szégédin, Hungary.

    7 June 1888 Carmen familiare for voice and piano by Charles Villiers Stanford (35) to words of Verrall is performed for the first time, at Trinity College, Cambridge.

    7 June 1890 España, six album leaves for piano by Isaac Albéniz (30) is performed for the first time, in Steinway Hall, London by the composer.

    7 June 1896 Der Corregidor, an opera by Hugo Wolf (36) to words of Mayreder after Alarcon, is performed for the first time, in Mannheim to great success.

    7 June 1898 Caprice Héroïque for two pianos by Camille Saint-Saëns (62) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg before the Russian royal family.

    7 June 1905 Three measures into a performance by Arthur Foote (52) in Peoria, Illinois, the electricity fails plunging the church into darkness.  Foote completes all three of his planned pieces in the dark, to the amazement and delight of the audience.

    7 June 1909 The first complete performance of A Mass of Life for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Frederick Delius (47) to words of Nietzsche, takes place in Queen’s Hall, London.  See 4 June 1908.

    7 June 1910 La muse et le poète op.132 for violin, cello and orchestra by Camille Saint-Saëns (74) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.  For the premiere, the composer plays a piano reduction of the accompaniment.

    7 June 1911 Horatio Parker’s (47) Collegiate Overture op.72 is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut.

    Hommage, a song for voice and piano by Charles Martin Loeffler (50) to words of Kahn, is performed for the first time, in St. Edward’s Church, Medfield, Massachusetts.

    7 June 1913 Symphony no.1 “Nomos” for two pianos-four hands by Josef Matthias Hauer (30) is performed for the first time, in Sankt Pölten, Austria.

    7 June 1918 The String Quartet no.1 by Arnold Bax (34) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.  It is dedicated to Edward Elgar (61).

    7 June 1920 Socrate, a symphonic drama by Erik Satie (54), is performed for the first time in its orchestral setting, in the Salle Erard, Paris.  See 14 February 1920.  Also premiered are the second and third of the five Nocturnes for piano by Erik Satie (54).  See 18 March 1920.

    George White’s Scandals of 1920, a musical revue with six new songs by George Gershwin (21) to words of Jackson, is performed for the first time, in the Globe Theatre, New York.

    7 June 1922 The Anniversary Overture by George Whitefield Chadwick (67) is performed for the first time, in Norfolk, Connecticut conducted by the composer.

    7 June 1927 The Steel Step (Le Pas d’acier) op.41, a ballet by Sergey Prokofiev (36) to a scenario by Yakulov and the composer, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Sarah-Bernhardt, Paris.  The critics pan it as proletarian hogwash, but sectors of the public love it.  See 27 May 1928.

    7 June 1928 Jazz-Suite for chamber orchestra by Bohuslav Martinu (37) is performed for the first time, in Baden.

    Albert Roussel’s (59) Piano Concerto op.36 is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.

    7 June 1930 Entrada for orchestra and organ by Carl Orff (34) after William Byrd (†306) is performed for the first time, in Königsberg.

    7 June 1931 Konzertstück for trautonium and strings by Paul Hindemith (35) is performed for the first time, in Munich.

    7 June 1933 Die sieben Todsünden, a ballet chanté by Kurt Weill (33) to words of Brecht, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.  Both Weill and Brecht are present, but the reaction is disappointment.

    7 June 1935 05:00  John Cage (22) marries Xenia Andreevna Kashevaroff, originally from Juneau, the daughter of a Russian Orthodox priest and an artist, in Yuma, Arizona.

    Incidental music to Welles’ play Fanati by Henry Cowell (38) is performed for the first time, in Palo Alto, California.

    7 June 1937 Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre Mathurins, Paris.

    7 June 1939 Benjamin Britten (25) and Peter Pears arrive in Toronto to make arrangements for a joint recital and a broadcast.  Here, their relationship is cemented permanently.

    7 June 1940 Sofiya Gubaidulina (8) gets her first review, in Komsomolets Tatarii, her hometown newspaper in Kazan.  It is a performance she gave with her sister Ida playing piano.

    7 June 1941 Selections from Sergey Prokofiev’s (50) unperformed opera Betrothal in a Monastery are performed for the first time, in a radio broadcast from Moscow.

    Werner Egk (40) is appointed head of the composers’ section of the Reichsmusikkammer.

    7 June 1945 Peter Grimes, an opera by Benjamin Britten (31) to words of Slater after Crabbe, is performed for the first time, at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London.  Present are Ralph Vaughan Williams (72), William Walton (43) and Michael Tippett (40).  It quickly becomes one of the most performed operas written in the 20th century.

    7 June 1947 Sergey Prokofiev (56) is informed that he has won another Stalin Prize, first class for his Violin Sonata no.1.

    7 June 1949 At the invitation of Olivier Messiaen (40), to whom he had been introduced by Pierre Boulez (24), John Cage (36) performs his Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano to Messiaen’s students at the Salle Gounod of the Paris Conservatoire.

    7 June 1952 Merlijn, a symphonic drama by Willem Pijper (†5) to words of Vestdijk, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Rotterdam.

    Hans Werner Henze’s (25) Sinfonische Zwischenpiele aus dem lyrischen Drama  “Boulevard Solitude” is performed for the first time, in Aachen.  See 17 February 1952.

    7 June 1954 Piccola Musica Notturna for orchestra by Luigi Dallapiccola (50) is performed for the first time, in Hanover.

    7 June 1955 Piano Sonata no.3 by Ned Rorem (31) is performed for the first time, in Foyer de la Musique Contemporaine, Paris.

    7 June 1957 Transformation for winds, percussion, harp, and piano by Gunther Schuller (31) is performed for the first time, at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts.

    7 June 1958 Façade Suite for harmonica and orchestra by William Walton (56) is performed for the first time, in London.

    7 June 1968 Threshold for orchestra by Roger Reynolds (33) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.

    Valentine for four players, with amplification by Pauline Oliveros (36), is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.

    7 June 1969 The Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, is destroyed by fire on the second day of the Aldeburgh Festival.  The remainder of the festival goes on as planned.

    La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ for chorus, piano, cello, flute, clarinet, vibarphone, marimba, xylorimba, and orchestra by Olivier Messiaen (60) to words of the Bible, Missal and St. Thomas Aquinas, is performed for the first time, in the Coliseu, Lisbon.  The work was commissioned in memory of the millionaire Calouste Gulbenkian.  The cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich, is roused from his sick bed (food poisoning) by the organizer Maria Madalena de Azeredo Perdigão and forced to the concert.  Despite the late start, the applause at the end lasts 30 minutes.

    7 June 1972 Two works for piano by Charles Koechlin (†21) are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC Radio 3:  La prière de l’homme op.149/8, 37 years after it was composed, and Danses pour Ginger op.163, five dances for piano in homage to Ginger Rogers, 35 years after it was composed.  See 12 September 1986.

    Three Latin American Sketches for chamber orchestra by Aaron Copland (71) is performed completely for the first time, in New York.

    7 June 1975 String Quartet in D by Benjamin Britten (61) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings, 44 years after it was composed.  Britten revised it last year.

    7 June 1978 Labyrinths, a ballet by Alfred Schnittke (43) to a story by Vasilyev, is performed completely for the first time, in Leningrad.

    7 June 1981 String Quartet no.8 by Ernst Krenek (80) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.

    7 June 1982 Solo Observed for piano, harp or cello, accordion or electronic organ, and vibraphone or marimba by Lukas Foss (59) is performed for the first time, in Miami, the composer at the keyboard.  See 24 March 1982.

    7 June 1983 Cinq pièces pour Boulogne for 41-54 musicians by Betsy Jolas (56) is performed for the first time, at the Conservatoire de Boulogne sur Seine.

    7 June 1984 A Haunted Landscape for orchestra by George Crumb (54) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.

    7 June 1992 The Child Lived for soprano and cello by John Tavener (48) to words of Mother Thekla is performed for the first time, in the Purcell Room, London.

    7 June 1993 James Tenney (58) receives the $10,000 Chalmers Award for his work Critical Band in a ceremony in the Tennenbaum Opera Center, Toronto.

    7 June 2000 Sextet for violin, viola, cello, clarinet, horn, and piano by Krzysztof Penderecki (66) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    7 June 2001 The Angel of Death for piano, chamber orchestra, and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (66) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    7 June 2006 Freude for two harps, the second hour of Klang by Karlheinz Stockhausen (77), is performed for the first time, in the Milan Cathedral.

    7 June 2007 Part I of Sanctuary for percussion quartet and computer processed and spatialized sound by Roger Reynolds (73) is performed for the first time, at SUNY, Buffalo.  See 4 June 2004 and 18 November 2007.

    7 June 2008 Tropic for orchestra by Peter Sculthorpe (79) is performed for the first time, in Brisbane, Queensland.

    In Darkness for soprano and computer by John Melby (66) to words of Amy Lowell is performed for the first time, in New York.

    A Song for St. Cecelia’s Day for chorus and organ by William Bolcom (70) to words of Dryden is performed for the first time, in Rockefeller Memorial Chapel of the University of Chicago.

    7 June 2010 Two works for chorus and strings by Arvo Pärt (74) are performed for the first time, in Istanbul:  Adam’s Lament and Alleluia-Tropus.

    8 June

    8 June 1612 Hans Leo Hassler dies in Frankfurt, 47 years, seven months, and 13 days after his baptism.

    8 June 1671 Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni is born in Venice.

    8 June 1754 Giovanni Paisiello (14) enrolls in the Conservatorio di Sant’Onofrio a Capuano in Naples.

    8 June 1773 La locandiera, a dramma giocoso by Antonio Salieri (22) to words of Poggi after Goldoni, is performed for the first time, in the Kärntnertortheater, Vienna.

    8 June 1781 The Chief Steward of the Archbishop of Salzburg, Count Arco, notifies Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (25) that he is discharged from the service of His Eminence “with a kick on the arse, by order of our worthy Prince Archbishop.”  (Glover, 94)

    8 June 1786 The Independent Chronicle, Boston reports as “just published” William Billings’ (39) collection The Suffolk Harmony.

    8 June 1787 Tarare, an opéra by Antonio Salieri (36) to words of Beaumarchais, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.  It is a definite success, partly owing to an intense lobbying and pamphlet campaign by Beaumarchais.

    8 June 1789 An Ode on His Majesty’s Recovery by François-André Danican-Philidor (62) is performed for the first time, in Hanover Square Rooms, London.

    8 June 1794 The Festival of the Supreme Being takes place amid much celebration in Paris.  Hymne à l’Etre suprème by François-Joseph Gossec (60) to words of Désorgues is performed for the first time, by vast choral groups followed by a procession to the Champ de Mars.

    8 June 1800 Béniowski, ou Les exilés du Kamtchatka, an opéra-comique by Adrien Boieldieu (24) to words of Duval after Kotzebue, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.

    8 June 1810 22:30  Robert Schumann is born in Zwickau, Saxony, 30 km southwest of Chemnitz, fifth and last child of August Schumann, a bookseller, publisher and author, and Johanna Christiane Schnabel, daughter of the chief surgeon to the city of Zeitz.

    Persée et Andromède, a ballet-pantomime with music by Franz Joseph Haydn (†1), Étienne-Nicolas Méhul (46) and others, to a scenario by Gardel, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    8 June 1831 Robert Schumann, writing in his diary on his 21st birthday, mentions one of his alter-egos, Florestan, for the first time.

    8 June 1838 Clara Wieck (18) is able to escape unnoticed from her father’s house in Leipzig and meet Robert Schumann at his lodgings on his 28th birthday.

    8 June 1840 Franz Liszt (28) gives the last of two performances with the Philharmonic Society in London.  While he and Ole Bull play the Kreutzer Sonata, some hissing is heard from certain quarters of the audience.  The performers stop and glare in the direction of the sound.  Other audience members demonstrate their disapproval of the objections and Liszt and Bull complete the work.

    8 June 1842 Clara Schumann (22) offers her song Liebeszauber to her husband Robert on the occasion of his 32nd birthday.

    8 June 1843 Richard Wagner (30) writes to Felix Mendelssohn (34) saying, “I am proud to belong to the nation that produced you and your St. Paul.”

    8 June 1847 Franz Liszt (35) arrives in Constantinople.  He will stay here five weeks, giving concerts in the Russian embassy and twice before the Sultan, who will award him the Order of Nichan-Iftikhar.

    8 June 1848 The Dresdener Chorgesangverein performs Three Mixed Choruses for the first time, composed by their accompanist, Clara Schumann (28) as a birthday present for their conductor, Robert Schumann (38).  Clara and the chorus have rehearsed the music secretly in order to surprise him.

    Franz Liszt (35) and Richard Wagner (35) spend an evening with Robert Schumann (38) at his home in Dresden.  Unfortunately, Liszt and Schumann argue over the abilities of Mendelssohn (†0) and Meyerbeer (56).  Soon, Wagner will ask Liszt for money.

    8 June 1850 La tempestà, an opéra italien by Fromental Halévy (51) to words of Giannone and Scribe after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London.  The public is ecstatic, giving solo bows for every number.  The press, unanimous in their praise of the production, is cautious about the work itself.

    8 June 1851 Hector Berlioz (47) gets into the annual Charity Children’s service in St. Paul’s, London on a pass from the organist, John Goss.  He pretends to be a member of the chorus and proceeds to the organ loft.  He is given a surplice and a bass part.  He is overwhelmed by the experience.

    8 June 1853 As a present for his 43rd birthday, Clara Schumann (33) presents Robert Schumann with the manuscript to her Piano Variations in f sharp minor.

    Scherzo in e flat minor op.4 for piano solo by Johannes Brahms (20) is performed for the first time, at the court of Hannover, by the composer from manuscript.  King Georg V pronounces him “little Beethoven.”

    8 June 1861 Franz Liszt (49) dines at the home of Marie d’Agoult in Paris for the last time.  Marie is overwhelmed, as if those years of anger and recrimination never happened.  “It is still he and he alone who makes me feel the divine mystery of life.” (Williams, 375)  He departs Paris for Weimar tonight.

    8 June 1867 Hungarian Coronation Mass by Franz Liszt (55) is performed for the first time, in Buda for the coronation of Emperor Franz Joseph II and Empress Elisabeth as King and Queen of Hungary.  Since he has not received an invitation to the coronation, the composer listens from the organ loft.

    8 June 1874 Charles Gounod (55) and Georgina Weldon, after a stormy love affair of over three years, see each other for the last time, at Charing Cross Railroad Station.  They will correspond, sometimes bitterly, sometimes accusingly, for many years to come.

    8 June 1884 Ricordi announces that he will publish Le Villi and commissions Giacomo Puccini (25) and Ferdinando Fontana to produce a new work.

    8 June 1899 Marcha “Mexico” for orchestra by Julián Carrillo (24) is performed for the first time, in a farewell concert before his trip to Europe.

    8 June 1902 A Te Deum by Arthur Sullivan (†1) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, to celebrate the end of the Boer War.

    Three works by Ottorino Respighi (22) are performed for the first time, in Bologna:  A Piano Concerto, the Berceuse for strings and a Piano Quintet. The composer plays the first violin part in the quintet.

    8 June 1903 The third movement of Béla Bartók’s (22) Violin Sonata is performed for the first time, in Budapest.  The composer plays the piano part during a graduation examination in composition at Budapest Conservatory.  See 25 January 1904.

    8 June 1904 Four of the six songs op.16 by Gustav Holst (29) are performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London:  Calm is the Morn, to words of Tennyson; My True Love Hath My Heart, to words of Sidney; Weep You No More, Sad Fountains, to an anonymous text; and Lovely Kind and Kindly Loving, to words of Breton.

    8 June 1907 Two songs by Maurice Ravel (32) are premiered at the Cercle de l’Art moderne, Paris.  They are Sainte, to words of Mallarmé and Les Grandes Ventis Venus d’outremer, to words of de Régnier.  The composer plays the piano accompaniment for both.

    8 June 1912 Maurice Ravel’s (37) symphonie choreographique Daphnis et Chloè to a scenario by Fokin after Longus, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.  The work is not a success.  One box contains the party of Mme Ravel and her sons, along with Florent Schmitt (41) and Igor Stravinsky (29).

    8 June 1919 At an afternoon memorial to Guillaume Apollinaire in Paris, Francis Poulenc’s (20) song cycle Le Bestiaire, to words of Apollinaire, is performed publicly for the first time, the composer at the keyboard.

    8 June 1922 Three songs by Charles Ives (47) are performed for the first time, in St. James Parish House, Danbury, Connecticut:  Ilmenau, to words of Goethe, The White Gulls to words of Morris, and Spring Song to words of his wife, Harmony Twichell.

    8 June 1929 Neues vom Tage, a comic opera by Paul Hindemith (33) to words of Schiffer, is performed for the first time, in the Kroll Opera House, Berlin.  See 7 April 1954.

    8 June 1937 Carmina Burana for soprano, tenor, baritone, boys’ chorus, chorus, and orchestra by Carl Orff (41) to anonymous medieval words, is performed for the first time, in the Städtische Bühnen, Frankfurt-am-Main.

    8 June 1938 Igor Stravinsky’s (55) Concerto “Dumbarton Oaks” for chamber orchestra is performed publicly for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris conducted by the composer.  See 8 May 1938.

    You and Me, a film by Friz Lang and some music by Kurt Weill (38) (considerably rearranged by the studio) is released in the United States.

    8 June 1939 Fantasy for piano by Ross Lee Finney (32) is performed for the first time, at the New York World’s Fair.

    8 June 1940 Although a citizen of a neutral nation, Virgil Thomson (43) takes no chances, fleeing Paris and the approaching Germans by boarding a train to Oloron in the Pyrenees.

    Frederick Shepherd Converse dies at his home in Westwood, Massachusetts, aged 69 years, five months, and three days.

    Henry Cowell (43) is granted a parole from the California state parole board to take effect 26 June.

    8 June 1948 A Munich court absolves Richard Strauss (83) of any wrongdoing in his involvement with the Nazi regime.

    Gunther Schuller (22) marries Marjorie Black, a music student, in New York.

    8 June 1949 At her Paris home, Ned Rorem (25) meets Nadia Boulanger (61) for the first time.

    8 June 1950 Paul Hindemith’s (54) French Horn Concerto is performed for the first time, in Baden-Baden the composer conducting.

    8 June 1952 Eight Inventions for piano by Ulysses Kay (35) are performed for the first time, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

    8 June 1953 The First International Decade of Experimental Music begins today at UNESCO in Paris.  It is organized by the Groupe de Recherces de Musique Concrète de la Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française and its director Pierre Schaeffer (42) and will last until 18 June.

    Gloriana op.53, an opera by Benjamin Britten (39) to words of Plomer after Strachey, is performed for the first time, at Covent Garden before Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family.  Before the performance, William Walton’s (51) arrangement of God Save the Queen is performed for the first time.

    8 June 1954 Incidental music to Pemán and Sánchez-Castañer’s play La destrucción de Sagunto by Joaquín Rodrigo (52) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Romano, Sagunto.

    8 June 1960 Words for Music Perhaps for speaker, bass clarinet, trumpet, percussion, piano, viola, and cello by Michael Tippett (55) to words of Yeats, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC Third Programme, the composer conducting.

    8 June 1962 The Outcasts of Poker Flat, an opera by Samuel Adler (34) to words of Stampfer after Harte, is performed for the first time, in Denton, Texas.

    8 June 1963 Sonata for oboe and piano by Francis Poulenc (†0) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.

    8 June 1965 Trois Instantanés for piano by Jean-Claude Risset (27) is performed for the first time, at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey.

    8 June 1968 Punch and Judy, a tragical comedy or comical tragedy by Harrison Birtwistle (33) to words of Pruslin, is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

    William Bolcom (30) marries Katherine Agee Ling, his second wife.

    8 June 1972 Canciones Españolas, a cycle for two counter-tenors, two flutes, percussion, organ, and harpsichord by John Tavener (28) to various Spanish authors, is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.

    8 June 1974 An American Requiem for five wind groups by Henry Brant (60) is performed for the first time, in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.  The composition is in response to the Watergate scandal.

    8 June 1983 Tetras for string quartet by Iannis Xenakis (61) is performed for the first time, in Lisbon.

    Margot le Rouge, a lyric drama by Frederick Delius (†48) to words of Gaston-Danville, is performed for the first time, at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, 81 years after it was composed.

    8 June 1984 Fremde Szene II for violin, cello and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (32) is performed for the first time, in Düsseldorf.

    Sonatine for violin and cimbalom by Peter Maxwell Davies (49) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.

    Canon for 4, Homage to William for flute, bass clarinet, violin, and cello by Elliott Carter (75) is performed for the first time, in Bath, Great Britain.

    8 June 1985 Trio for clarinet, bassoon, and piano by Conlon Nancarrow (72) is performed for the first time, in London 43 years after it was composed.

    8 June 1989 Empty Places, a performance piece by Laurie Anderson (42), is performed for the first time, at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.  It is her reaction to the world following Ronald Reagan.

    8 June 1990 Rejoice before God for chorus and organ by Sofia Gubaidulina (58) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time, in Cologne.

    8 June 1991 Samuel Adler (63) marries Emily Freeman Brown, his second wife.

    8 June 1997 Joan Tower (58) makes her conducting debut, at a concert of her works in Halifax.

    8 June 2002 Piano Quintet op.69 by Alexander Goehr (69) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.

    8 June 2004 Announcement is made in Berlin that Krzystof Penderecki (70) has been awarded the Praemium Imperiale for music.

    8 June 2007 Diptychon for soprano and orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (55) to words of Hölderlin is performed for the first time, in the Philharmonie, Cologne.

    The Nightingale and the Rose, a ballet by Bright Sheng (51) to a choreography by Wheeldon, is performed for the first time, at the New York State Theatre, Lincoln Center.

    8 June 2012 Palindrome’s Dance for piano by Joseph Schwantner (69) is performed for the first time, at Schott Music Recital Room, London.

    Two Controversies and a Conversation for piano, percussion, and orchestra by Elliott Carter (103) is performed for the first time, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

    Bittersweet for piano by David Del Tredici (75) is performed for the first time, at The Firehouse Space, Brooklyn.

    9 June

    9 June 1527 Heinrich Finck dies in Vienna, aged approximately 82 years.

    9 June 1656 The mortal remains of Thomas Tomkins are buried in Martin Hussingtree, Worcestershire, 84 years after his birth.

    9 June 1759 William Boyce (47) marries Hannah Nixon at St. Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney.

    9 June 1763 The Mozart family, including Leopold (43) and Wolfgang (7), depart Salzburg on their first European journey.

    9 June 1799 Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges dies of an “ulcerated bladder” in Paris, aged 53 years, five months and 15 days.

    9 June 1810 Carl Otto Ehrenfried Nicolai is born in Königsberg (Kaliningrad), only child of the union of Carl Ernst Daniel Nicolai, a composer, and Christiane Wilhelmine Lauber.  The marriage of his parents will end in a few months owing to the physical and mental condition of his mother.  He will grow up with foster parents until age 10.

    9 June 1811 Carl Maria von Weber’s (24) four guitar songs (J.110-113) for Kotzebue’s stage play Der arme Minnesinger are performed for the first time, in Munich.

    Componimento sagro musicale by Giovanni Paisiello (71) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    9 June 1815 Publication of the Piano Sonata op.90 by Ludwig van Beethoven (44) is announced.

    9 June 1817 Sinfonia concertanta by Gaetano Donizetti (19) is performed for the first time, in the Bologna Liceo.

    9 June 1825 Suleika II D.717, a song by Franz Schubert (28) to words of Goethe, is performed for the first time, in the Jagor’schersaal, Berlin.  Other Schubert songs are performed, all to great success.

    9 June 1840 Franz Liszt (28) uses the word “recital” for the first time, to describe his solo performance today in the Hanover Square Rooms, London.  The word implies the absence of supporting musicians.

    9 June 1846 A statue of Gioachino Rossini (54) is dedicated at the Paris Opéra.

    9 June 1849 A Few Words on Cathedral Music and the Musical System of the Church, with a Plan of Reform by Samuel Sebastian Wesley (38) is published in London.

    9 June 1851 Steht auf und empfangt mit Feiergesang for solo voices, chorus and orchestra by Giacomo Meyerbeer (59) to words of Kopisch is performed for the first time, in honor of the sculptor Christian Rauch who created the monument unveiled 31 May 1851.  Meyerbeer conducts his composition.

    9 June 1860 Concerto for cello and orchestra op.129 by Robert Schumann (†3) is performed for the first time, in Leipzig one day after what would have been the composer’s 50th birthday.

    9 June 1865 Carl August Nielsen is born in Sortelung, near Nørre Lyndelse on the island of Funen (Fyn), Denmark, seventh of twelve children born to Niels Jørgensen, house painter and village musician, and Maren Kirstine Johansen, who comes from a poor family.

    9 June 1869 Grande Phantasia sobre motivos de Norma for two pianos by Louis Moreau Gottschalk (40) is performed for the first time, in Rio de Janeiro, the composer at one keyboard.

    9 June 1876 Jacques Offenbach (56) gives the last of 30 concerts in New York.  The success of these performances has grown since the original disappointment of 11 May.

    9 June 1879 Edward MacDowell (18) appears in concert for the first time, at Hoch Conservatory, Frankfurt-am-Main, in a recital of the music of Franz Liszt (67) attended by the composer.

    9 June 1883 Symphonic Suite for orchestra by Ferruccio Busoni (17) is performed for the first time, in Trieste.

    9 June 1892 Alyeksandr Skryabin (20) receives a diploma from the Moscow Conservatory making him a “free artist.”

    9 June 1902 The first complete performance of the Symphony no.3 by Gustav Mahler (42) is conducted by the composer at Krefeld, Germany.  It is an enormous success.  The audience, which includes Richard Strauss (37) and Engelbert Humperdinck (47), applauds for 15 minutes.  The press is positive, but not without reservation.  See 9 November 1896 and 9 March 1897.

    9 June 1904 The London Symphony Orchestra gives its first performance, in Queen’s Hall.

    9 June 1908 Charles Ives (33) is married to Harmony Twichell in Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut by her father, the minister there.  They will honeymoon in the Berkshires and then live in New York.

    9 June 1909 Sonata for clarinet and piano no.3 op.107 by Max Reger (36) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt, the composer at the piano.

    Charles Villiers Stanford’s (56) work for chorus and orchestra, Ode to Discord to words of Graves, is performed for the first time, in London.

    9 June 1910 Les temples, op.46/1, the first part of Études antiques for orchestra by Charles Koechlin (42) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.

    9 June 1914 Trio for clarinet, cello and piano by John Ireland (34) is performed for the first time, in Steinway Hall, London, the composer at the keyboard.

    9 June 1918 Incidental music to Bax’s play The Sneezing Charm by Gustav Holst (43), is performed for the first time, at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

    9 June 1920 William Walton (18) passes the second half of his Bachelor of Music degree.  Among his examiners is Ralph Vaughan Williams (47).

    La Légende de Saint Christophe op.67, a drame sacré by Vincent d’Indy (69) to his own words after de Voragine, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    9 June 1921 Aaron Copland (20) boards ship in New York for France to attend the Conservatoire americain at Fontainebleau.

    Gabriel Fauré (76) contributes his last review to Le Figaro, of a production of Berlioz’ (†52) Les Troyens.  He has contributed criticism to Le Figaro since 1903.

    Two works for solo voice, chorus, and orchestra by Lili Boulanger (†3) are performed for the first time, in the Salle Pleyel, Paris:  Vieille prière bouddhique for tenor, chorus, and orchestra to words translated by Karpelès, and Psaume CXXIX.

    9 June 1924 Der Sprung über den Schatten op.17, a comic opera by Ernst Krenek (23) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in the Frankfurt-am-Main Opera House.  The public is moderately pleased but the critics are mixed, finding particular fault with the libretto.

    9 June 1925 The 60th birthday of Carl Nielsen is celebrated as a national holiday in Denmark.  The composer is made a Knight Commander of the second Grade of the Danish flag.

    A Piano Sonata by Igor Stravinsky (42) is performed for the first time, privately, at the Paris home of the Princesse de Polignac, the dedicatee.  See 16 July 1925.  (It is possible that Stravinsky played it for a small number of people (less than ten) in Warsaw on 6 November 1924)

    Dionysiaques op.62 for band by Florent Schmitt (54) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    9 June 1927 Der 13. Psalm (tr. Moses Mendelssohn) D.663 for voice and piano by Franz Schubert (†98) is performed for the first time, in the Burggarten, Vienna 108 years after it was composed.

    9 June 1928 The Chorus for the Stone-laying Ceremony at Masaryk University in Brno, by Leos Janácek (73) to words of Tryb, is performed for the first time, in Brno.  President Tomás Masaryk lays the stone himself with Janácek “only five steps away from the President.” (Tyrrell II, 876)

    9 June 1932 So Many True Princesses Who Have Gone, for chorus and military band by Edward Elgar (75) to words of Masefield, is performed for the first time, in Marlborough House, London conducted by the composer.  It is to accompany the unveiling of a statue to Queen Alexandra, mother of King George V.

    9 June 1933 The memorial sculpture The Herd Boy playing a Wooden Flute is unveiled at Nørre Lyndelse, the birthplace of Carl Nielsen (†1) on the 68th anniversary of his birth.  It was created by the composer’s wife, Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen,

    9 June 1935 Incidental music to Lope de Vega’s play La vuelta de Egipto by Manuel de Falla (58) is performed for the first time, in Granada.

    9 June 1938 Charles Peter Wuorinen is born in Physicians and Surgeons Hospital, New York City, the second of two children born to John Henry Wuorinen, a history teacher at Columbia University, and Alfhild Kalijarvi.

    9 June 1939 Symphony no.7 by Arnold Bax (55) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall as part of the New York World’s Fair.

    Incidental music to Euripides’ play The Trojan Women by Lou Harrison (22) is performed for the first time, at Mills College, Oakland.

    9 June 1945 Prisoner No.217, a film with music by Aram Khachaturian (42), is released.

    9 June 1958 McCord’s Menagerie for male chorus by Irving Fine (43), to words of McCord, is performed for the first time (officially), in Sanders Theatre of Harvard University.

    9 June 1959 Sonatine for viola and cello op.378 by Darius Milhaud (66) is performed for the first time, in Saskatoon.

    9 June 1961 A revised version of The Greek Passion, an opera by Bohuslav Martinu (†1) to his own words after Kazantzakis, is performed for the first time, in Zürich.  See 20 July 1999.

    9 June 1966 The Burning Fiery Furnace op.77, a stage work by Benjamin Britten (52) to words of Plomer after the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Orford Church conducted by the composer.

    9 June 1967 Symphony no.2 by Witold Lutoslawski (54) is performed completely for the first time, in Katowice, conducted by the composer.

    9 June 1971 Voice for flute by Toru Takemitsu (40) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.

    9 June 1972 Pájaros de primavera for guitar by Joaquín Rodrigo (70) is performed for the first time, in Japan.

    9 June 1976 An untitled sound work by Max Neuhaus (36) is inaugurated at the Institute for Art and Urban Resources in New York.  It will exist until 26 June.

    A Merciful Coincidence for three vocalists and electroacoustic sound by Roger Reynolds (41) to words of Beckett is performed for the first time, in Bourges.  See 11 December 1976.

    Versions 3 and 4 of Algorithms II for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (52) and Ravi Kumra are performed for the first time, in Buffalo.

    9 June 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.

    9 June 1978 Symphony no.35 for Korean instruments and orchestra by Alan Hovhaness (67) is performed for the first time, in Seoul.

    Incidental music to the play The Inspector’s Tale after Gogol by Alfred Schnittke (43) is performed for the first time, in Taganka Theatre, Moscow.

    9 June 1979 Beatus vir op.38 for baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Henryk Górecki (45) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time, in Kraków, the composer conducting in the presence of Pope John Paul II.  The Pope commissioned the work when he was Archbishop of Kraków to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Stanislaw.

    Aureole for orchestra by Jacob Druckman (50) is performed for the first time, in New York conducted by the commissioner and dedicatee, Leonard Bernstein (60).

    9 June 1983 “Examen” for tenor, trumpet, basset horn, and piano by Karlheinz Stockhausen (54), an excerpt of his Donnerstag aus Licht, is performed separately for the first time, in Vernier, Switzerland.

    Novelette pour Bourges for electronic valve instrument and piano by Vladimir Ussachevsky (71) is performed for the first time, in Bourges.

    9 June 1984 György Ligeti’s (61) choral work Songs from Mátraszentimre to traditional words is performed for the first time, in Saarbrücken, 29 years after it was composed.

    9 June 1985 An untitled sound work by Max Neuhaus (45) is inaugurated in the Centre d’Art Contemporain, Geneva.  It will exist until 8 September.

    9 June 1986 A Concerto for choir by Alfred Schnittke (51) to words of Narekatzi (tr. Grebnev) is performed completely for the first time, in Moscow.  See 14 July 1984.

    9 June 1991 Inscriptions for violin by Shulamit Ran (41) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Chicago.

    String Quartet no.3 by Ned Rorem (67) is performed for the first time, for the 50th season of the June Festival of Albuquerque.

    9 June 1993 The definitive version of the Concerto for violin and orchestra by Györgi Ligeti (70) is performed for the first time, in Lyon conducted by Pierre Boulez (68).  See 3 November 1990 and 8 October 1992.

    Roman Fever, an opera by Robert Ward (75) to words of Brunyate after Wharton, is performed for the first time, in Durham, North Carolina.

    9 June 1994 Dämmerschein for orchestra by Iannis Xenakis (72) is performed for the first time, in Lisbon.

    9 June 1999 Three Baritone Songs for voice and piano by David Del Tredici (62) to words of Rumi, Klein, and Manrique, is performed for the first time, in Weill Recital Hall, New York the composer at the keyboard.

    9 June 2008 A Little Fantasy for cello and piano by Ned Rorem (84) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    9 June 2010 Tower Music for baritone, two clarinets, brass, and strings by Alexander Goehr (77), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in Manchester.

    10 June

    10 June 1768 Li napoletani in America, an opera buffa by Niccolò Piccinni (40) to words of Cerlone, is performed for the first time, in the Teatro Fiorentini, Naples.

    10 June 1772 Thomas Augustine Arne’s (62) The Cooper, a musical entertainment to his own words after Audinot and Quétant, is performed for the first time, in the Haymarket Theatre, London.

    10 June 1784 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (28) brings Giovanni Paisiello (44) to hear one of his Academy Concerts in Vienna.  It is a great success.

    10 June 1800 Johann Abraham Peter Schulz dies in Schwedt an der Oder, Prussia, aged 53 years, two months and ten days.

    10 June 1810 Du trône ou jusqua’à Toi, a cantata by Étienne-Nicolas Méhul (46) to words of Arnault, is performed for the first time, in Paris to celebrate the marriage of Emperor Napoléon to Marie-Louise of Austria.

    10 June 1818 The newly rebuilt opera house in Pesaro is opened with a performance of La gazza ladra by Gioachino Rossini (26) in his birthplace.

    10 June 1825 Fryderyk Chopin (15) plays at a charity concert in Warsaw where he engages in lengthy improvisations.  A critic for the Leipzig Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung is present.  His review marks the first time that Chopin’s fame travels outside of Poland.

    Pharamond, an opéra by Adrien Boieldieu (49), Henri-Montan Berton and Rodolphe Kreutzer to words of Ancelot, Guiraud and Soumet, is performed for the first time, in the Académie Royale de Musique, Paris.  The work is presented for the coronation of Charles X.

    10 June 1826 Two songs by Franz Schubert (29) are published by Cappi and Czerny, Vienna as his op.60:  Greisengesang to words of Rückert, and Dithyrambe to words of Schiller.

    10 June 1834 Richard Wagner’s (21) first published essay, “Die deutsche Oper,” appears in Zeitung für die elegante Welt, Leipzig.

    Captivity of Judah, an oratorio by William Crotch (58) to words of Schomberg and Owen, is performed for the first time, at ceremonies installing the Duke of Wellington as Chancellor of the University of Oxford.  Also heard is the premiere of Crotch’s ode When these are days of old to words of Keble.

    10 June 1837 La fête de Versailles, an intermède en deux parties by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber (55) to words of Scribe, is performed for the first time, at Versailles.

    10 June 1849 Frédéric Kalkbrenner dies at Enghien-les-Bains in the midst of a cholera epidemic, aged 63 years and approximately seven months.

    10 June 1855 Queen Victoria opens the Crystal Palace in London.  As part of the festivities, 1,500 voices sing the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel (†96).  Among them is Arthur Sullivan (13).

    Heinrich August Marschner (59) marries his fourth wife, Theresa Janda, a 28-year-old singer, in Hannover.

    10 June 1865 Tristan und Isolde, a music-drama by Richard Wagner (52) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in the Königliches Hof-und Nationaltheater, Munich, conducted by Hans von Bülow.  Although there is some hissing, it is a resounding success.  In the audience is a Wagner devotee, Anton Bruckner (40).

    10 June 1866 Hans von Bülow arrives at Tribschen to perhaps bring the “situation” with Richard Wagner (53) into the open.  No one is sure exactly what transpires.  The von Bülows remain at Tribschen into September.  Cosima is carrying Wagner’s second child.

    10 June 1883 Sängerbund for male chorus by Anton Bruckner (59) is performed for the first time, in Wels.

    10 June 1886 Piano Quintet op.25 by Charles Villiers Stanford (33) is performed for the first time, at the Cambridge Guildhall, the composer at the keyboard.

    10 June 1892 Jean Sibelius (26) marries Aino Järnefelt, the daughter of a general, at the Järnefelt home, Tottesund.

    Sergey Rakhmaninov (19) receives a diploma from the Moscow Conservatory making him a “free artist.”

    10 June 1899 Ernest Amédée Chausson, while traveling near his country home at Limay near Mantes, loses control of his bicycle and crashes into a wall, dying instantly.  He is aged 44 years, four months and 21 days.

    Hans Pfitzner (30) marries Maria (Mimi) Kwast, the daughter of James Kwast, Pfitzner’s former piano teacher at the Hoch Conservatory, in a civil ceremony in Canterbury.  They have eloped to England.

    10 June 1900 The 116th Psalm for women’s chorus and orchestra by Franz Schreker (22) is performed for the first time, as part of his graduation ceremony from Vienna Conservatory.

    10 June 1911 For the first time, the Paris Opéra stages the complete Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner (†28), 35 years after it was first performed.  It will run through 14 June.

    The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell (†216) is performed for the first time since the life of the composer, in Royal Victoria Hall, London, in a production by Morley College students led by Gustav Holst (36).

    10 June 1912 At the home of Louis Laloy in Paris, Igor Stravinsky (29) and Claude Debussy (49) play through a four-hand piano transcription of The Rite of Spring.  Laloy and Debussy are “dumbfounded, thunderstruck as though by a hurricane from the remote past, which had seized our lives by the roots.”  (Stravinsky may have played through some of The Rite of Spring but it seems unlikely he would have had a full four-hand version this early.)

    Sergey Rakhmaninov (39) resigns for a second time as vice-president of the Russian Musical Society.

    10 June 1914 Two songs for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (46) are performed for the first time in a semi-private performance at the Granados Academy, Barcelona:  Elegia eterna to words of Mestres, and Tonadillas en estilo antiguo for voice and piano.  See 27 June 1914.

    10 June 1918 Arrigo Boito dies in Milan of a heart ailment aged 76 years, three months, and 17 days.

    10 June 1921 Passacaglia for Orchestra op.1 by Anton Webern (37) is performed for the first time, in Bochum, Germany.

    Symphonies of Wind Instruments by Igor Stravinsky (38) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.  The work is dedicated to the memory of Claude Debussy (†3).

    10 June 1927 The comédie musicale La rêve de Cyniras by Vincent d’Indy (76) to words of de Courville is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    Fantasy Sonata for viola and harp by Arnold Bax (43) is performed for the first time, in Grotrian Hall, London.

    10 June 1928 Airs chantés for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (29) to words of Moréas, is performed completely for the first time, in the Salle Chopin, Paris.  The concert also includes the premiere of two Poulenc Novelettes and the Three Pieces for piano.  See 3 March 1928.

    10 June 1934 04:00  Frederick Delius dies at his home in Grez-sur-Loing, near Fontainebleau, France, aged 72 years, four months, and 13 days.  In less than four months, Great Britain has lost three of its most important composers:  Edward Elgar (23 February), Gustav Holst (25 May) and Frederick Delius (10 June).

    10 June 1937 The US government announces that there will be a 30% cut in Federal Theatre Project personnel, 1,700 workers.  No FTP productions may begin before 1 July.  Although this affects several plays, it is seen as a direct attack on The Cradle will Rock by Marc Blitzstein (32).

    10 June 1938 Incidental music to Euripides play Electra by Lou Harrison (21) is performed for the first time, at Mills College, Oakland.

    10 June 1939 Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus for orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams (66), is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.

    10 June 1943 The Primavera Quintet for flute, violin, viola, cello, and harp op.156 by Charles Koechlin (75) is performed for the first time, privately in Paris.  See 14 March 1944.

    10 June 1948 Quartet for string instruments op.112 by Florent Schmitt (77) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.

    10 June 1949 Richard Strauss conducts the end of Act II of Der Rosenkavalier in the Prinzregententheater in Munich, on the eve of his 85th birthday.  It is the last time he will conduct in public.

    10 June 1950 An orchestral suite from music for the film The Fall of Berlin by Dmitri Shostakovich (43) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.  See 21 January 1950.

    Centennial Ode for baritone, speaker, chorus, and orchestra by Howard Hanson (53) is performed for the first time, at the University of Rochester conducted by the composer.

    10 June 1954 Ils étaient tous des volontaires, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (61) is shown for the first time, in France.

    10 June 1959 Improvisations sur Mallarmé III for soprano and orchestra by Pierre Boulez (34) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.

    Prolation for orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (24) is performed for the first time, in Auditorium del Foro Italico, Rome.

    Aria antigua for flute and piano by Joaquín Rodrigo (57) is performed for the first time, in Circulo Cultural Medina, Madrid.  See 18 December 1994 and 21 February 1996.

    Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury for three trumpets by Benjamin Britten (45) is performed for the first time, in the Cathedral Precincts of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.

    10 June 1962 Quintet for strings and piano by Leslie Bassett (39) is performed for the first time, in Rome.

    10 June 1968 The Prodigal Son op.81, a church parable by Benjamin Britten (54) to words of Plomer after the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Orford Church.

    Computer Piece no.1 by Vladimir Ussachevsky (56) is performed for the first time, in the Instituto Torcuato di Tella, Buenos Aires.

    10 June 1969 The New York Philharmonic Orchestra announces that Pierre Boulez (44) will succeed Leonard Bernstein (50) as music director of the orchestra.

    10 June 1970 Tactil for three by Mauricio Kagel (38) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Donizetti, Bergamo.

    10 June 1973 Requiem for Father Malachy for solo voices, chorus, and chamber ensemble by John Tavener (29) is performed for the first time, the composer conducting.

    10 June 1979 Hymns and Variations for twelve amplified voices by John Cage (66) is performed for the first time, in the Beethovenhalle, Bonn.

    10 June 1982 Karlheinz Stockhausen’s (53) Klavierstück XIII no.51 1/2 in a version for piano solo is performed for the first time, in Turin.  See 19 November 1981.

    Beyond the Far Blue Mountains, a film score by Lou Harrison (65) is performed for the first time, in Centre de Pompidou, Paris.

    10 June 1983 Omaggio a György Kurtag for alto, flute, clarinet, tuba, and electronic sounds by Luigi Nono (59) is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Pergola, Florence.

    10 June 1984 Mary’s Mass for choir and congregation by Gian Carlo Menotti (72) is performed for the first time, in the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Baltimore.  It was commissioned to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the founding of Maryland.

    10 June 1985 Episode sixième for viola by Betsy Jolas (58) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    Mishima, String Quartet no.3 by Philip Glass (48) is performed for the first time, in London.

    10 June 1987 Quasi una sonata for violin and chamber orchestra by Alfred Schnittke (52) is performed for the first time, in Milan.

    10 June 1988 Der Sonnengesang des Franz von Assisi for chorus and six instruments by Alfred Schnittke (53) is performed for the first time, in London.

    10 June 1990 Passacaglia and Blues for piano by TJ Anderson (61) is performed for the first time, in Winchester, Massachusetts.

    10 June 1992 The Six Partsongs by Frederick Delius to words of Reinick, Geibel, Bjørnson, Andersen, and Ibsen are performed completely for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC, on the 58th anniversary of his death.  See 11 January 1974.

    10 June 1996 Kuïlenn for flute, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, and two french horns by Iannis Xenakis (74) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    10 June 2006 The Io Passion:  Aubades and Nocturnes for clarinet and string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (71) is performed for the first time, in University Concert Hall,, Glasgow.  See 11 June 2004.

    10 June 2009 Synaxis for four soloists, strings, and timpani by Charles Wuorinen (71) is performed for the first time, in Miller Theatre, New York.

    11 June

    11 June 1755 Attalo, an opera seria by Baldassare Galuppi (48) to words possibly by Silvani or Papi, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Nuovo, Padua.

    11 June 1760 Solimano, an opera seria by Baldassare Galuppi (53) to words of Migliavacca, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Nuovo, Padua.

    11 June 1778 Les petits riens, a ballet mostly by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (22) to a scenario after Piccinni, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.  Mozart composed 13 of the 20 numbers and the overture.

    11 June 1796 Ugolino, a serious singspiel by Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (56) to the words of the composer and Duke Friedrich August von Braunschweig-Oels after Dante, is performed for the first time, in the Herzogliches Hoftheater, Oels.

    11 June 1804 Carl Maria von Weber (17) arrives in Breslau (Wroclaw) to take up duties as kapellmeister.

    11 June 1824 Gioachino Rossini’s (32) canzone Il pianto delle muse in morte di Lord Byron is performed for the first time, in Almack’s Assembly Rooms, London.

    11 June 1831 Fryderyk Chopin (21) plays at the Kärntnertortheater, his last performance in Vienna.

    11 June 1842 Giacomo Meyerbeer (50) is installed as the Prussian Generalmusikdirektor, a post he gained through the efforts of Alexander von Humboldt.  He will oversee secular music.

    11 June 1845 The Committee of the Birmingham Festival votes to ask Felix Mendelssohn (36) to conduct the next festival and to provide a new oratorio for that occasion.

    11 June 1846 A setting of Lauda Sion for solo voices, chorus and orchestra by Felix Mendelssohn (37) is performed for the first time, in Liège to celebrate the six hundredth anniversary of the city.

    11 June 1854 While her husband Robert (44) resides in an asylum, Clara Schumann (34) gives birth to their eighth and last child, a boy, whom she names Felix after Mendelssohn (†6).

    11 June 1855 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert attend the sixth of Richard Wagner’s (42) seven philharmonic concerts in London.  The composer visits with the royal couple in their box at intermission.  They request an encore to the overture to Tannhäuser.

    11 June 1864 06:00  Richard Georg Strauss is born in Munich, eldest of two children of Franz Joseph Strauss, principal horn player of the Munich Court Orchestra, and his second wife, Josephine Pschorr, daughter of a brewer.  The birth takes place in an apartment in the back of the Pschorr brewery.

    11 June 1866 King Ludwig II of Bavaria releases a statement to the press (it was written by Richard Wagner), attesting to the virtue of Cosima von Bülow and vowing to investigate all those who cast public doubt on Hans von Bülow, his wife, and Richard Wagner (53).

    11 June 1867 Edvard Grieg marries his cousin, the singer Nina Hagerup, in the Johanneskirke in Copenhagen, four days before his 24th birthday.  None of the parents are present.

    As part of the Exposition Universelle des Beaux Arts, a jury which includes Hector Berlioz (63) awards the prize for the best cantata to Camille Saint-Saëns (31).  Berlioz hurries to Saint-Saëns’ home to tell him but he is not there.

    11 June 1881 Libuse, a festival opera by Bedrich Smetana (57) to words of Wenzig translated by Spindler, is performed for the first time, for the opening of the National Theatre, Prague.  The evening is attended by the Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, to whom the composer is presented.

    11 June 1892 Edvard (48) and Nina Grieg celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary at Troldhaugen.  For the occasion, he has composed Wedding Day at Troldhaugen.

    Installation Ode for chorus by Charles Villiers Stanford (39) to words of Verrall is performed for the first time, at the installation of the Vice-Chancellor, Cambridge.

    11 June 1916 Fantasy and Fugue op.135b for organ by Max Reger (†0) is performed for the first time, in Hannover.

    11 June 1917 The Fringes of the Fleet, a stage work for four baritones and orchestra by Edward Elgar (60) to words of Kipling, is performed for the first time, in the London Coliseum, the composer conducting.  The orchestra numbers only 25, mostly women and girls, the men having been called up to active service.

    11 June 1918 William Walton (16) passes the first half of his Bachelor of Music examination at New College, Oxford.  Dr. Thomas Strong, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, writes to Walton’s father, urging him to allow the boy to matriculate at Oxford.

    11 June 1921 Le roi David, a dramatic psalm by Arthur Honegger (29) to words of Morax, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Jorat, Mézières.

    Two works by Heitor Villa-Lobos (34) are performed for the first time, in the Teatro Municipal, Rio de Janeiro:  A Lenda do Caboclo for piano, and Sertáo no estico for voice and orchestra to words of Iberê Lemos.  See 13 June 1921.

    11 June 1923 Symphony no.2 by Ernst Krenek (22) is performed for the first time, in Kassel.

    11 June 1924 Drei Bruchstücke aus Wozzeck for soprano and orchestra by Alban Berg (39) are performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.

    Dos Preludios for chamber orchestra by Manuel de Falla (47) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Llorens, Seville.

    11 June 1925 Concerto for violin and wind orchestra op.12 by Kurt Weill (25) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre de l’Exposition des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.

    La forêt païnne, a ballet by Charles Koechlin (57) to his own story, is performed completely for the first time, at the Théâtre des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.  See 20 April 1922.

    11 June 1930 Excerpts from the Suite for viola and piano by Aram Khachaturian (27) are performed for the first time, privately in Moscow.

    11 June 1931 Energía, for piccolo, flute, bassoon, horn, trumpet, bass trombone, viola, cello, and bass by Carlos Chávez (31) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    11 June 1934 On the occasion of his 70th birthday, Richard Strauss receives presents from Chancellor Adolf Hitler and Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels.  The gifts that they bestow on the composer of Salome and Der Rosenkavalier are autographed photographs of themselves.

    The Symphony no.1 of Aram Khachaturian (31) is performed for the first time, in a two-piano version before examiners at the Moscow Conservatory.  It is his final examination before graduation and he receives the grade of “excellent.”  See 23 April 1935.

    11 June 1936 Man and the Masses, a dance-drama for solo voices, chorus, two pianos, and percussion by Ross Lee Finney (29), is performed for the first time, at the Smith College graduation exercises in Northampton, Massachusetts.

    11 June 1937 Arnold Bax (53) is knighted by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

    11 June 1939 On the occasion of the 75th birthday of Richard Strauss, the composer is able to have a two-hour conversation with Propaganda Minister Goebbels in Vienna.  Goebbels tells Strauss that he will ask Hitler for protection for his daughter-in-law (a Jew) and grandsons.  The protection is never granted.

    The first episode of Helweg’s (after White) play The Sword in the Stone entitled “The Quest”, with music by Benjamin Britten (25) is broadcast for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC.

    11 June 1940 Béla Bartók’s (59) Divertimento for Strings is performed for the first time, in Basel.

    Symphonic Piece for string orchestra by Ernst Krenek (39) is performed for the first time, in the Neuer Casino-Saal, Basel.

    A funeral in memory of Frederick Shepherd Converse is held in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Dedham, Massachusetts.  From there, his mortal remains are cremated in Forest Hills and from thence buried in Westwood Cemetery.

    11 June 1945 Las horas de una estancia, for voice and piano by Alberto Ginastera (29) to words of Ocampo, is performed for the first time, in Montevideo.

    11 June 1950 Ein Sommertag, a ballet by Werner Egk (49) to his own story, is performed for the first time, in the Städtische Oper, Berlin.

    Sonata for violin and piano no.1 by Robert Ward (32) is performed for the first time, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

    11 June 1958 A second version of Musica su Due Dimensioni for flute and tape by Bruno Maderna (38) is performed for the first time, in Naples.

    11 June 1960 Kontakte no.12 1/2 for electronic sound generators, piano, and percussion on four-track tape by Karlheinz Stockhausen (31) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.  Also premiered is Anagrama for four vocal soloists, chorus, and eleven players by Mauricio Kagel (28).

    A Midsummer Night’s Dream op.64, an opera by Benjamin Britten (46) to words of Pears and the composer after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

    11 June 1965 Mikrophonie II no.17 for chorus, Hammond organ and four ring modulators by Karlheinz Stockhausen (36) to words of Heisenbüttel, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR, originating in Cologne.

    11 June 1967 Soliloquy for oboe and orchestra by Edward Elgar (†33) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of BBC television, approximately 36 years after it was composed.

    Threnody for chorus, speakers, and tape by R. Murray Schafer (33) is performed for the first time, in Vancouver.

    11 June 1970 Funktion Grau for tape by Gottfried Michael Koenig (43) is performed for the first time, in Stockholm.

    11 June 1974 The Voice of Ariadne, an opera by Thea Musgrave (46) to words of Elguera after James, is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh, Suffolk the composer conducting.  The work is dedicated to Benjamin Britten (60) in honor of his sixtieth birthday.

    11 June 1978 Re-Creation:  A Liturgical Music Drama for speakers, dancer, violin, cello, trumpet, saxophone, piano, and drums by TJ Anderson (49) to words of Forrest is performed for the first time, in Chicago the composer conducting.

    11 June 1982 After a Long Silence, a cycle for soprano, oboe, and string orchestra by Ned Rorem (58) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, in Miami, Florida.

    11 June 1987 Fanfare for CUBE for brass quintet by Witold Lutoslawski (74) is performed for the first time, at a ceremony at the University of Cambridge wherein he receives an honorary doctorate.

    Segmente 85-91 for flute, bass clarinet, and cello by Gottfried Michael Koenig (60) is performed for the first time, in Piverno.

    A Cantata for Hope for vocal soloists, chorus, and chamber orchestra by David Diamond (71) to words of Wiesel, is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street YMCA, New York.

    11 June 1989 Hallelujah!  The Lord God Almichtie for chorus and organ by Peter Maxwell Davies (54) is performed for the first time, in St. Giles Church, Edinburgh.

    11 June 1993 Movement for wind sextet by Benjamin Britten (†16) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church, 63 years after it was composed.

    11 June 1994 90+ for piano by Elliott Carter (85) is performed for the first time, at the Pontino Festival in Castello Caetani, Sermonetta, Italy.

    11 June 1997 Shard for guitar by Elliott Carter (88) is performed for the first time, in Humlebaek, Denmark.

    11 June 2004 The Io Passion, a chamber opera by Harrison Birtwistle (69) to words of Plaice, is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh.  See 10 June 2006.

    11 June 2006 The Lyre of Orpheus for violin, percussion, and strings by Sofia Gubaidulina (74) is performed for the first time, in Basel.

    11 June 2007 String Quartet no.5 by Mauricio Kagel (75) is performed for the first time, in Essen.

    Cortege for 14 players by Harrison Birtwistle (72) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.

    11 June 2008 String Quartet no.2 by Robin Holloway (64) is performed for the first time, in Caja Madrid.

    11 June 2011 Pendulum for violin and piano by Philip Glass (74) is performed publicly for the first time, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.  See 15 September 2010.

    12 June

    12 June 1762 La bella verità, an opera buffa by Niccolò Piccinni (34) to words of Goldoni, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Marsigli-Rossi, Bologna.

    12 June 1763 Arianna e Teseo, an opera seria by Baldassare Galuppi (56) to words of Pariati, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Nuovo, Padua.

    12 June 1766 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (10) dates his Kyrie K.33.

    12 June 1776 Le mariages samnites, a drame lyrique by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (35) to words of de Rosoi after Marmontel, is performed for the first time, in the Comédie-Italienne, Paris.

    12 June 1778 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (22) dates his Symphony K.297 in Paris and performs it tonight before a private audience at the home of Count Sickingen.  See 18 June 1778.

    12 June 1784 Le due gemelle, a dramma giocoso by Pasquale Anfossi (57) to words of Tonioli, is performed for the first time, in King’s Theatre, London.

    12 June 1792 Leopold Kozeluch (44) is appointed Kammer Kapellmeister and Hofmusik Compositor by the Emperor-presumptive, Franz II.

    12 June 1827 Franz Schubert (30) is elected a full member of the Vienna Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde.

    12 June 1829 Agnes von Hohenstaufen, a grosse historisch-romantische Oper by Gaspare Spontini (54) to words of Raupach, is performed completely for the first time, in the Royal Opera House, Berlin.  See 28 May 1827 and 6 December 1837.

    12 June 1846 A consultation of three doctors advises Andrea Donizetti not to move his uncle Gaetano (48) from Paris.  He wants to take him to Bergamo.

    12 June 1848 A demonstration by an unarmed crowd in Wenceslas Square, Prague is attacked by Austrian troops under Prince Windischgrätz, precipitating barricades and a demand for the withdrawal of the troops.  Bedrich Smetana (24) joins the Svornost Corps and mans the barricades.

    On his journey south from Berlin, Giacomo Meyerbeer (56) is warned by travelers that fighting has broken out in Prague.  He returns to the last station, Zdiby, and makes arrangements to take a coach around Prague to the first station after the city, Jessnitz (Jesenice).

    12 June 1853 Messe des orphéonistes by Charles Gounod (34) is performed for the first time, in the Church of Saint Germain-l’Auxerrois.

    12 June 1854 Incidental music to Plouvier’s comédie Le Songe d’une nuit d’hiver by Jacques Offenbach (34) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.

    12 June 1856 La rose de Saint-Flour, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Carré, is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris, to celebrate the christening of the new Prince-Imperial.

    12 June 1858 Sigismond Thalberg (46) plays his last concert in North America, in Peoria, Illinois.  In the last 21 months, Thalberg has performed over 300 times in 79 cities.

    12 June 1872 The Cantata in Commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Birth of Peter the Great by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (32) to words of Polonsky is performed for the first time, in Moscow.  The performance takes place on the Troitsky Bridge as part of festivities opening a polytechnical exhibition.

    La princesse jaune, an opéra-comique by Camille Saint-Saëns (36) to words of Gallet, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.

    12 June 1878 Introductory Overture for the Christy Minstrels for flute, cornet, and strings by Edward Elgar (21) is performed for the first time, in Worcester, the composer conducting.

    12 June 1883 Symphony no.2 by Hubert Parry (35) is performed for the first time, in Cambridge.  It is enthusiastically received.

    12 June 1893 A concert celebrating tomorrow’s degree recipients takes place in Cambridge.  Max Bruch conducts a scene from his choral work Odysseus, Camille Saint-Saëns (57) conducts his Fantasy L’afrique, Arrigo Boito (51) conducts the prologue from his Mefistofele, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (53) conducts his Francesca da Rimini and Charles Villiers Stanford (40), the musical organizer of the festivities, conducts Edvard Grieg’s (49) Peer Gynt Suite no.1.  Stanford finishes the concert by conducting his own East to West.

    Sonata for violin and piano op.2 by Frederick Shepherd Converse (22) is performed for the first time, at concert for the Harvard University commencement.  See 28 June 1893.

    12 June 1914 Andante and Scherzo op.1 for clarinet, horn, and piano by Paul Hindemith (18) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.

    12 June 1915 Marcha religiosa no.1 for orchestra by Heitor Villa-Lobos (28) is performed for the first time, in São Paulo the composer conducting.

    12 June 1917 Hans Pfitzner’s (48) musical legend Palestrina, to his own libretto, is performed for the first time, in Munich.

    Works by John Ireland (37) are performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London the composer at the keyboard:  Piano Trio no.2, and three songs for voice and piano, The Cost to words of Cooper, The Heart’s Desire to words of Houseman, and The Soldier to words of Brooke.

    12 June 1918 At a public rehearsal in Vienna, an unknown woman approaches Arnold Schoenberg (43) and hands him an envelope.  In it are 10,000 kronen and a note which reads “To the great artist, an admirer, a Jew.”

    12 June 1920 Piano Sonata by John Ireland (40) is performed for the first time, in London.

    12 June 1923 William Walton’s (21) Façade, for reciter and six players to words of Sitwell, is performed publicly for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London, the composer conducting.  The work elicits hisses and threats from the audience.  One review will be headlined “Drivel They Paid to Hear.”

    12 June 1925 String Quartet op.121 by Gabriel Fauré (†0) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire.

    Ernest MacMillan (31) resigns his position as organist and choir director at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto.  He has musical differences with the church fathers.

    12 June 1931 Due Liriche del Kalevala for solo voices, chorus, and percussion by Luigi Dallapiccola (27) are performed for the first time, in Florence.

    12 June 1938 Two new works by Leonard Bernstein (19) are performed for the first time, in Brookline, Massachusetts:  Music for Two Pianos and Music for the Dance.

    12 June 1946 Eight scenes from Sergey Prokofiev’s (55) opera War and Peace to his own words after Tolstoy are staged for the first time, in Malyi Theatre, Leningrad.  It is a smashing success.  See 16 October 1944 and 8 November 1957.

    12 June 1951 Monopartita for orchestra by Arthur Honegger (59), commissioned to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the entrance of the canton of Zürich into the Helvetic Confederation, is performed for the first time, in the Tonhalle, Zürich.

    12 June 1952 Des Menschen Unterhaltsprozess gegen Gott, a radio opera by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (34) to words of Rüttger after Calderón, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR originating in Cologne.

    Leonard Bernstein’s (33) opera Trouble in Tahiti, to his own words, is performed for the first time, at Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts under the baton of the composer.

    12 June 1956 Le Corbusier writes to Edgar Varèse (72) suggesting a collaboration on the Philips Pavilion at the upcoming Brussels World’s Fair.  He mentions that the actual design for the building is being made by Iannis Xenakis (34).  Varèse immediately accepts.

    12 June 1958 Hay que bañar al nene, a film with music by Alberto Ginastera (42), is released in Argentina.

    12 June 1959 Incidental music to Cocteau’s play Le poète et sa muse by Gian Carlo Menotti (47) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Caio Melisso, Spoleto, Italy.

    12 June 1960 Poème for viola and chamber orchestra by Karel Husa (38) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.  It is Husa’s first systematic use of serial techniques.

    12 June 1962 John Ireland dies of heart failure, in Rock Mill, Washington, Sussex, aged 82 years, nine months, and 30 days.

    12 June 1964 Benjamin Britten’s (50) stage work Curlew River op.71, to words of Plomer after Motomasa, is performed for the first time, at Orford Church conducted by the composer.  This day also sees the premiere of Britten’s Nocturnal after Dowland op.70 for guitar, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

    12 June 1969 Two works by Harrison Birtwistle (34) are performed for the first time, in Purcell Room, London:  Cantata for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano/celesta, and glockenspiel/bongos, the composer conducting, and Ut Heremita Solus (after Ockeghem) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and glockenspiel.

    12 June 1971 Sakuntala D.701, an incomplete opera by Franz Schubert (†142) to words of Neumann after Kalidasa, is performed for the first time, in Vienna 150 years after it was composed.

    12 June 1973 William Walton (71) conducts Façade on its 50th anniversary in Aeolian Hall, London.  It is the last time he conducts in public.

    12 June 1976 Benjamin Britten (62) is created a life peer as Baron Britten of Aldeburgh in the County of Suffolk, the first composer so honored.

    Alexanderlieder for mezzo-soprano, baritone and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (24) to words of Herbeck is performed for the first time, in Cologne.

    12 June 1980 George Crumb’s (50) complete Makrokosmos cycle is performed together for the first time, in Buffalo.  See 8 February 1973, 30 March 1974, 12 November 1974, 18 November 1979.

    12 June 1986 The management of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. bans 32 specific popular music publications as well as recordings by certain popular music entertainers.

    Fratres for string quartet by Arvo Pärt (50) is performed for the first time, in London.

    Rain Dreaming for harpsichord by Toru Takemitsu (55) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress, Washington.

    12 June 1987 For Samuel Beckett for chamber ensemble by Morton Feldman (61) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    Stratified Essay, an installation by John Cage (74), opens at the Karlskirche, Kassel.

    12 June 1988 Federico’s Little Songs for Children, a cycle for soprano, flutes, and harp by George Crumb (58) to words of Garcia Lorca, is performed for the first time, in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

    12 June 1989 Bagatelle for piano by Charles Wuorinen (51) is performed for the first time, in Albright-Knox Gallery, Buffalo.

    Elegy for Anne Frank for orchestra and piano obbligato by Lukas Foss (66) is performed for the first time, in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York conducted by the composer.

    12 June 1993 Now always Snow for chamber chorus and chamber ensemble by Sofia Gubaidulina (61) to words of Aigi is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    Kleines Requiem für eine Polka op.66 for piano and 13 instruments by Henryk Górecki (59) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    12 June 1995 Time and the Raven for orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (60) is performed for the first time, in Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, conducted by the composer.

    12 June 1996 An Arc Ascending for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (70) is performed for the first time, in Cincinnati.

    12 June 1998 Dal Vivo, a multimedia installation by Laurie Anderson (51), opens in Milan.

    12 June 1999 Five Haydn Miniatures for two flutes, clarinet, piano, and two violins by Robin Holloway (55) is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

    12 June 2002 Au Quai for orchestra by Elliott Carter (93) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. Also premiered is Two Notes for Ollie op.74 for eleven players by Alexander Goehr (69).

    12 June 2006 György Sándor Ligeti dies in Vienna, aged 83 years and 15 days.

    12 June 2008 Stabat mater for chorus and strings by Arvo Pärt (72) is performed for the first time, in the Musikvereinsaal, Vienna.

    12 June 2009 Two works by Harrison Birtwistle (74) are performed for the first time, in Britten Studio, Aleburgh:  The Corridor, a scena for soprano tenor and ensemble to words of Harsent, and Semper Dowland, semper dolens, a music theatre for tenor and ensemble to words of Dowland and Campion.

    13 June

    13 June 1777 Today is the name day of Countess Maria Antonia Lodron.  Sometime within the next week, Divertimento K.287 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (21) is performed for the first time, in Salzburg, composed for the occasion.

    13 June 1784 The Concerto for piano and orchestra no.17 K.453 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (28) is performed for the first time, at the home of Gottfried Ignaz von Ployer, in Döbling.  He is the Salzburg agent in Vienna and a relative of the pianist for whom Mozart wrote the concerto, Barbara Ployer.  Attending at the composer’s invitation is Giovanni Paisiello (44) on his way to Naples from Russia.

    13 June 1788 Tamira, a melodrama by Johann Rudolf Zumsteeg (28) to words of Huber, is performed for the first time.

    13 June 1789 The Journal de la Librairie, Paris announces the printing by Sieber of Joseph Haydn’s (57) string quartets opp.54 and 55.

    13 June 1795 The Morning Chronicle, London announces the publication of Joseph Haydn’s (63) three piano trios XV:  21-3.

    13 June 1801 The Theater-an-der-Wien opens in Vienna to house the company led by Emanuel Schikeneder.

    13 June 1805 Il fonte prodigioso di Orebbe, a cantata by Giovanni Paisiello (65) to words of Rota, is performed for the first time, in Piazza del Pendio, Naples.

    13 June 1811 Clarinet Concerto no.1 J.114 by Carl Maria von Weber (24) is performed for the first time, in Munich along with the premiere of Weber’s Adagio and Rondo for harmonichord and orchestra J.115.

    13 June 1814 Angéla ou L’atelier de Jean Cousin, an opéra comique by Adrien Boieldieu (38) to words of Montcloux d’Epinay, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.

    13 June 1816 Franz Schubert’s (19) song Amalia D.195 to words of Schiller, is performed for the first time, in the Vienna home of Frau von Jenny.

    13 June 1828 Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (24) leaves his civil service post in the office of the Council of Communications.  He will travel to Italy for three years in an attempt to restore his health.

    13 June 1833 Il fato, a cantata by Gaetano Donizetti (35) to words of Ferretti composed for the name day of Count Lozano, is performed for the first time, in Rome.

    13 June 1835 Felix Mendelssohn (26) accepts the position of director of the Gewandhaus concerts in Leipzig for next year.

    13 June 1851 Idyllen op.95, a waltz by Johann Strauss (25), is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    13 June 1852 Incidental music to Byron's (tr.Suckow) play Manfred by Robert Schumann (42) is performed for the first time, in Leipzig conducted by Franz Liszt (39).  The composer is too ill to attend.  See 14 March 1852.

    Two new works by Louis Moreau Gottschalk (23) are performed for the first time, in the Teatro del Principe, Madrid, by the composer:  El Sitio de Zaragoza, a symphony for ten pianos, and Souvenirs de Bellini for solo piano.  The audience responds with unrestrained accolades.

    13 June 1855 Les Vépres siciliennes, an opéra by Giuseppe Verdi (41) to words of Scribe and Duveyrier, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.  Presented during the Paris Exposition, it enjoys a good success.

    L’inconsolable, an opéra comique by Fromental Halévy (56) under the pseudonym Alberti, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre-Lyrique, Paris.

    Hector Berlioz (51) conducts the New Philharmonic Society at Exeter Hall, London.  The room is packed with a very appreciative audience, but one member named Richard Wagner (42) is not impressed.

    13 June 1862 A rehearsal of Béatrice et Bénédict at the apartment of Hector Berlioz (58) in Paris is interrupted by a telegram informing the composer that his wife, Marie-Genevieve Recio Berlioz, has suffered a heart attack while visiting friends in St.-Germain-en-Laye.  He immediately leaves to attend her but by the time he arrives she is dead.

    13 June 1872 Johann Strauss (46) arrives in New York aboard SS Rhein from Bremerhaven after a 13-day crossing along with his wife, valet, maid, and dog.  He is headed to Boston to conduct at the Boston Peace Festival.

    13 June 1875 Hommage à Boieldieu, a cantata for male chorus, brass and woodwinds by Ambroise Thomas (63), is performed for the first time, in Rouen.

    13 June 1892 The Lotos-Eaters, a choric song for soprano, chorus and orchestra by Hubert Parry (44) to words of Tennyson, is performed for the first time, in Cambridge, directed by the composer.

    13 June 1893 Cambridge University confers honorary Doctor of Music degrees on Camille Saint-Saëns (57), Arrigo Boito (51), Max Bruch, Edvard Grieg (49) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (53).  Grieg is unable to attend due to illness.

    13 June 1899 Carlos Antonio de Padua Chávez y Ramírez is born in Popotla, near Mexico City, seventh of seven children born to Agustín Chávez, an inventor, and Juvencia Ramírez, who directs a normal school for young women in Popotla.

    13 June 1901 Ode to Music for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Hubert Parry (53) to words of Benson, is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.  It is very enthusiastically received.

    13 June 1905 Gabriel Fauré (60) is appointed director of the Paris Conservatoire, to take effect 1 October.

    13 June 1911 Petrushka, a ballet by Igor Stravinsky (28) to a story by Benois, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.

    American Dances for orchestra by Henry F. Gilbert (42) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.

    13 June 1921 The third act of the opera Izaht by Heitor Villa-Lobos (34) to words of Junior and Villalba Filho (pseud. Villa-Lobos), is performed for the first time, in the Teatro São Pedro de Alcântara, Rio de Janeiro along with the orchestral version of the composer’s A Lenda do Caboclo.  See 11 June 1921.

    13 June 1923 Les Noces, choreographic scenes by Igor Stravinsky (40) to his own scenario after a traditional Russian story, is performed for the first time, at Théâtre de la Gaîté Lyrique, Paris.

    13 June 1925 Incidental music to Morax’s play Judith by Arthur Honegger (33) is performed for the first time, in Mézières, Switzerland, conducted by the composer.  See 13 February 1926.

    13 June 1926 Chansons madécasses for voice, flute, cello, and piano by Maurice Ravel (51) is performed publicly for the first time, in the Salle Erard, Paris.  See 8 May 1926.

    13 June 1932 Le Bal masqué, a cantata for voice, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, cello, percussion, and piano by Francis Poulenc (33) to words of Jacob, is performed publicly for the first time, in Paris the composer at the piano.  See 20 April 1932.

    13 June 1933 Halewijn, a symphonic drama by Willem Pijper (38) to words of van Lokhorst, is performed for the first time, in the Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam.

    Novembre op.22/2 for voice and piano by Charles Koechlin (65) to words of Bourget is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris, the composer at the keyboard, 32 years after it was composed.

    13 June 1934 Keep that schoolgirl complexion op.139/1 for voice, flute and piano by Charles Koechlin (66) to his own words is performed for the first time, Darius Milhaud (41) at the keyboard.  See 17 January 1986.

    13 June 1937 Up the Garden Path, with poetry chosen by WH Auden and music chosen by Benjamin Britten (23), is broadcast for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC.

    13 June 1938 String Quartet no.4 by Bohuslav Martinu (47) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    13 June 1945 Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes for orchestra by Benjamin Britten (31) is performed for the first time, in Cheltenham Town Hall, conducted by the composer.

    Espoir, a film with music by Darius Milhaud (52), is released in France.

    Suite française for band by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    13 June 1947 From the Delta for band by William Grant Still (52) is performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York.

    13 June 1951 Stabat mater for soprano, chorus, and orchestra by Francis Poulenc (52) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.

    13 June 1954 Nicolas Obouhow (Nikolay Obukhov) dies in Paris, aged 62 years, one month, and 22 days.

    Tuba Concerto by Ralph Vaughan Williams (81) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the London Symphony Orchestra.

    13 June 1959 Michael Tippett (54) is named Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

    13 June 1960 Don for soprano and piano by Pierre Boulez (35) to words of Mallarmé is performed for the first time, in Cologne, as part of the first complete performance of Pli selon pli.  See 5 July 1962.

    13 June 1965 La mère coupable, an opera by Darius Milhaud (72) to words of M. Milhaud after Beaumarchais, is performed for the first time, in Geneva.

    13 June 1975 Soundtrack, a film-radio play by Mauricio Kagel (43), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR.

    Auf-und Ablehnung for orchestra by Ernst Krenek (74) is performed for the first time, in the Meistersingerhalle, Nuremberg.

    Suite on English Folk Tunes “A Time There Was” op.90 for orchestra by Benjamin Britten (61) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.

    13 June 1981 Estampie for Susan Summerfield for organ by Lou Harrison (64) is performed for the first time, in Chico, California.

    13 June 1982 Piano Sonata no.2 “27 April 1945” by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (†18) is performed for the first time, in Munich, 37 years after it was composed.  Hartmann wrote it after witnessing 20,000 prisoners from Dachau being marched past the house of his in-laws on Lake Starnberg shortly before the American army arrived in 1945.  He inscribes the work “Unending was the line--unending was the misery--unending was the suffering.”

    13 June 1985 March to Tonality for orchestra by David Del Tredici (48) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Chicago.

    13 June 1986 Short Ride in a Fast Machine for orchestra by John Adams (39) is performed for the first time, in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

    13 June 1988 Eight Colors for String Quartet by Tan Dun (30) is performed for the first time, in Wellington, New Zealand.

    13 June 1989 In Bourges, France a four-day symposium on electronic music presents some of the giants in the history of the field.  During the conference, Lev Sergeyevich Termen (Leon Theremin) (92) makes his first appearance outside the Soviet Union since the 1930s.

    13 June 1992 Gesungene Zeit for violin and orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (40) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.

    Easter Dawning for carillon by George Crumb (62) is performed for the first time, in Dayton, Ohio.

    13 June 1994 New works are premiered at the 50th anniversary concert of WNYC in Alice Tully Hall, New York:  Now, so long after that time for piano by Philip Glass (57), How Like Pellucid Statues, Daddy for bassoon quartet by John Corigliano (56), and “Or Like a…an Engine” from No Longer Very Clear:  a Suite for Piano by Joan Tower (55).

    In This House of Blues for voice, clarinet and piano by Anthony Davis (43) to words of Ashbery is performed for the first time, in New York, the composer at the keyboard.

    13 June 1999 The original version of Kurt Weill’s (†49) biblical drama Der Weg der Verheissung to words of Werfel is performed for the first time, in Chemnitz, 64 years after it was composed.  See 4 January 1937.

    13 June 2001 Stelae for Failed Time for twelve voices and electronics by Brian Ferneyhough (58) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    13 June 2002 Ralph Shapey dies in Chicago, aged 81 years, three months, and one day.

    13 June 2003 Violin Concerto by Shulamit Ran (53) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.

    13 June 2005 David Leo Diamond dies in Rochester, New York of congestive heart failure aged 89 years, eleven months, and four days.

    13 June 2006 Himmels-Tür for a percussionist and a small girl, the fourth hour of Klang by Karlheinz Stockhausen (77), is performed for the first time, in Teatro Rossini, Lugo.

    13 June 2009 The Sorcerer’s Mirror for chorus and orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (74) to words of Motion is performed for the first time, in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.  It was commissioned to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University.

    13 June 2010 Angel Fighter for counter tenor, tenor, chamber chorus, and ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (75), to words of Plaice, is performed for the first time, in the Thomaskirche, Leipzig.

    13 June 2011 Aftermath for soprano and computer by John Melby (69) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    13 June 2012 Nähe fern 4 for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (60) is performed for the first time, in Lucerne.

    14 June

    14 June 1594 Orlande de Lassus dies in Munich, aged approximately 62 years.

    14 June 1730 Antonio Maria Gasparo Gioachino Sacchini is born in Florence.

    14 June 1757 Cantate zur Einweihung der kleinen Michaelskirche in Hamburg by Georg Philipp Telemann (76) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.

    14 June 1763 Johannes Simon Mayr is born in Mendorf, near Ingolstadt, Bavaria, the second of five surviving children of Joseph Mayr, schoolteacher and organist, and Maria Anna Prantmayer, daughter of a brewer.

    14 June 1775 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (18) dates his Violin Concerto K.211 in Salzburg.

    14 June 1787 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (31) dates his Ein musikalischer Spass K.522 for two horns, two violins, viola and bass.

    14 June 1791 The Gazette de Saint-Pétersbourg announces that “Domenico Cimarosa (41), Maestro di cappella of the court, is leaving with his wife, his two children, and his Italian servants.”  Since his arrival in December 1787, he and his music have never been in favor with Empress Yekaterina.

    14 June 1800 La dansomanie, a ballet-pantomime by Étienne-Nicolas Méhul (36) to a scenario by Gardel, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    14 June 1804 Incidental music to Duval’s play Les Hussites, ou Le siège de Naumbourg by Étienne-Nicolas Méhul (40) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Porte St. Martin, Paris.

    14 June 1820 Franz Schubert’s (23) singspiel Die Zwillingsbrüder D.647 to words of Hofmann is performed for the first time, in the Kärntnertortheater, Vienna.  It will receive six performances.

    14 June 1832 Robert Schumann (22) notes in his diary that “the third finger is completely stiff.”

    14 June 1835 The Gazette Musicale de Paris publishes the first “official” biography of Franz Liszt (23), by Joseph d’Ortigue.  (it may have been written by Marie d’Agoult)

    14 June 1841 Gaetano Donizetti’s (43) cantata Dalla Francia un saluto t’invia for solo voices, chorus, orchestra and piano is performed for the first time, in Bergamo for the 78th birthday of Simon Mayr.

    14 June 1842 Felix Mendelssohn (33) meets with Prince Albert at Buckingham Palace carrying a letter of introduction from King Friedrich Wilhelm IV.

    14 June 1846 Le chant des chemins de fer for tenor, chorus and orchestra by Hector Berlioz (42) to words of Janin is performed for the first time, for the opening of the Northern Railroad at the Hôtel de Ville, Lille.

    14 June 1851 Herrmann-Polka op.91 by Johann Strauss (25) is performed for the first time, in the Sperl Ballroom, Vienna.

    14 June 1853 Caroussel-Marsch op.133 by Johann Strauss (27) is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    14 June 1881 John McTammany of Cambridge, Massachusetts is granted a US patent for a player piano.

    14 June 1894 Albert Roussel (25) resigns from the French Navy.  He has decided to become a musician.

    14 June 1899 Organ Sonata no.1 op.33 by Max Reger (26) is performed for the first time, in Essen.

    14 June 1907 Ode on the Death of the Duke of Wellington op.100 for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Charles Villiers Stanford (56) to words of Tennyson, is performed for the first time, privately, at the Royal College of Music, London.  See 14 October 1908.

    A Celtic Song Cycle for voice and piano by Arnold Bax (21) to words of MacLeod, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Small Hall, London, the composer at the keyboard.  See 21 November 1904.

    A Piano Quintet by Frank Bridge (28) is performed publicly for the first time, in London.  See 28 May 1907.

    14 June 1914 Richard Strauss (50) receives the order of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor.

    14 June 1918 Gustav Holst (43) passes the minimum medical examination to become a YMCA Music Organizer.  His duties may include organizing musical activities among training camps and hospitals in England, or internment camps in neutral and enemy countries.

    14 June 1920 Incidental music to Gide’s (after Shakespeare) play Antoine et Cléopatre by Florent Schmitt (49) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    14 June 1921 The Lark Ascending, a romance for violin and orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams (48), is performed for the first time in its original orchestral setting, in Queen’s Hall, London in the inaugural concert of the British Music Society.  See 15 December 1921.

    La belle excentrique, a fantaisie sérieuse by Erik Satie (55), is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Colisée, Paris.

    14 June 1923 The École d’Arcueil is organized and announced by Erik Satie (57) at a Paris concert of his followers.  The society is dedicated to Satie’s ideals.

    A suite from the ballet with song Zaubernacht entitled Quodlibet (Eine Unterhaltungsmusik) op.9 by Kurt Weill (23) is performed for the first time, in the Friedrichs-Theater, Dessau.

    Incidental music to Andreyeff’s play The Black Maskers by Roger Sessions (26) is performed for the first time, in the Academy of Music, Northampton, Massachusetts conducted by the composer.

    14 June 1928 Act II of The Fiery Angel op.37, an opera by Sergey Prokofiev (37) after Bryusov, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting, in Paris.  See 25 November 1954.

    The anthem Man born to Toil for chorus and organ by Gustav Holst (53) to words of Bridges, is performed for the first time, in Wells Cathedral.

    14 June 1933 Prayers of Steel, a song for alto, oboe, percussion, and piano by Ruth Crawford Seeger (31) to words of Sandburg, is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    14 June 1938 Symphonie d’hymnes for chorus and orchestra by Charles Koechlin (70) is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.  It consists of Hymne à la nuit op.48/1, Hymne à la vie op.69, Hymne au jour op.110, Hymne au soleil op.127, and Hymne à la jeunesse op.148.  Also premiered is his Choral:  Final de la suite “les Saisons” op.69 for chorus, organ, and orchestra to his own words

    14 June 1939 Concertino pastorale for string orchestra by John Ireland (59) is performed for the first time, in Canterbury.

    14 June 1944 Hymn and Fuguing Tune no.1 for symphonic band by Henry Cowell (47) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    14 June 1946 L’histoire de Babar, a melodrama for speaker and piano by Francis Poulenc (47) to words of de Brunhoff, is performed for the first time, in a radio broadcast from Paris the composer at the keyboard.  See 8 February 1949.

    14 June 1949 Benjamin Britten’s (35) chamber opera The Little Sweep to words of Crozier is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

    Tell me the Truth about Love, a cabaret song by Benjamin Britten (35) to words of Auden, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC.

    14 June 1950 String Quartet no.4 by Peter Sculthorpe (21) is performed for the first time, in the British Music Society Rooms, Melbourne.

    Whispers from Heavenly Death, a cantata for high voice and piano by Hans Werner Henze (23) to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart.

    14 June 1951 Six Metamorphoses after Ovid op.49 for oboe by Benjamin Britten (37) is performed for the first time, from a boat in the Meare, an artificial lake at Thorpeness.

    Jackson Pollock, a film with music by Morton Feldman (25), is shown for the first time, at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

    14 June 1953 Three Movements for Orchestra by George Perle (38) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.

    14 June 1955 Dinga-donga for voice and piano by Heitor Villa-Lobos (68) to his own words is performed for the first time.

    14 June 1962 Samsara, a symphonic poem by Toshiro Mayuzumi (33), is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.

    The Flood, a musical play by Igor Stravinsky (79) to words of Craft after the York and Chester Mystery Plays and the Bible, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the commissioner of the work, the CBS television network.  See 30 April 1963.

    14 June 1963 Three Movements for Orchestra by George Perle (48) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.

    14 June 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).

    The Cappemakers, a dramatic cantata by John Tavener (20) to the York Mystery Play, is performed for the first time, in Charleston Manor, conducted by the composer.

    Horn of Plenty for orchestra by Roy Harris (66) is performed for the first time, in the auditorium of Beverly Hills High School, California.

    14 June 1966 Pas de cinq, a Wandelszene by Mauricio Kagel (34), is performed for the first time, in Munich.

    Oresteïa for chorus and twelve instruments by Iannis Xenakis (44) to words of Aeschylus, is performed for the first time, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

    14 June 1968 String Quartet no.12 op.133 by Dmitri Shostakovich (61) is performed for the first time, privately at the USSR Composers’ Club, Moscow.  See 14 September 1968.

    14 June 1969 Inauguration Fanfare by Aaron Copland (68) is performed for the first time, at the unveiling of a stabile by Alexander Calder in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

    14 June 1970 Benjamin Britten (55) conducts the first performance outside the USSR of the Symphony no.14 by Dmitri Shostakovich (63).  The symphony is dedicated to the conductor.

    Peace and Goodwill to All for chorus, brass, organ, and percussion by Roy Harris (72) is performed for the first time, in Bel Air Presbyterian Church, California.

    14 June 1973 M: Writings ‘67-’72 by John Cage (60) is published by Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, Connecticut.

    14 June 1974 Ravelle for clarinet, violin, electric guitar, piano, and bass by Karlheinz Stockhausen (45) is performed for the first time, in Freiburg 23 years after it was composed.

    14 June 1975 Magnificat and Nunc dimittis for chorus and organ by William Walton (73) is performed for the first time, in Chichester Cathedral.

    14 June 1976 Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals for string orchestra by Alberto Ginastera (60) is performed for the first time, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  See 24 January 1978,

    14 June 1978 After 37 years of service, Olivier Messiaen (69) teaches his last class at the Paris Conservatoire.  None of the hierarchy at the school mark the event.

    14 June 1980 “Festival”no.50 1/2, a scene from Karlheinz Stockhausen’s (51) Donnerstag aus Licht is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    14 June 1985 Concerto for oboe, clarinet, and strings by John Harbison (46) is performed for the first time, in Sarasota, Florida.

    14 June 1989 Rendering for orchestra by Luciano Berio (63) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    14 June 1990 Three Fragments for harpsichord by Alfred Schnittke (55) are performed for the first time, in Hamburg.

    Marie Galante “Suite Panamienne” by Kurt Weill (†40) is performed for the first time.

    14 June 1991 Christ’s Nativity, a suite for solo voices and chorus by Benjamin Britten (†14) to words from various sources, is performed completely for the first time, in St. Edmund’s Church, Southwold, 60 years after it was composed.  See 24 June 1955.

    14 June 1992 Tania, an opera by Anthony Davis (41) to words of LaChiusa, is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.

    14 June 2000 ...brain ablaze...she howled aloud for one, two, or three piccolos and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (65) is performed for the first time, incompletely, in Buffalo.

    14 June 2004 Sequenza XIVb for double bass by Luciano Berio (†1) is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart.

    14 June 2005 Fragments from the Song of Songs for mezzo-soprano, clarinet, and piano by Samuel Adler (77) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    15 June

    15 June 1749 Georg Joseph Vogler is born in Wurzburg.

    15 June 1753 Il Figlio delle selve, a favola pastorale by Ignaz Holzbauer (41) to words of Capece, is performed for the first time, at Schwetzingen.

    15 June 1755 Georg Philipp Telemann’s (74) cantata Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier is performed for the first time, for the consecration of Johann Melchior Goeze as head-pastor of St. Catherine’s, Hamburg.

    15 June 1766 Florian Leopold Gassmann (37) arrives in Vienna from Venice with a young Italian protégé who is to further his education in the city:  Antonio Salieri (15).

    15 June 1792 A day after viewing the races at Ascot, Joseph Haydn (60) visits Dr. William Herschel, the discoverer of Uranus, and sees his large telescope.  In his younger days, Herschel was an oboist and composer.

    15 June 1809 A great service is held in memory of Franz Joseph Haydn in the Schottenkirche, Vienna.  The Requiem of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (†17) is performed.  The French army sends an honor guard.

    15 June 1810 Incidental music for Goethe’s play Egmont by Ludwig van Beethoven (39) is performed for the first time, in the Hofburg Theater, Vienna.  The play was produced on 24 May but Beethoven’s music was not ready at that time.

    Zur Feier des 15ten Juni for solo voice, chorus and piano by Giacomo Meyerbeer (19) to words of Carl Maria von Weber (23) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt.  The work celebrates the birthday today of their teacher, Georg Joseph Vogler (61).

    15 June 1814 Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s (35) singspiel Die Rückfahrt des Kaisers to words of Veith is performed for the first time, in the Theater-an-der-Wien, Vienna.

    15 June 1824 The Emperor of Austria grants Antonio Salieri’s (73) petition to be relieved of his duties at full salary.  “In the service of four monarchs of the imperial house you have proved an incorruptible truth and devotion, and a perfect self-negation, which have never for a moment wavered, even in the most diverse and, for less magnanimous persons than you, tempting relations.”  He has held court positions since the death of Gluck (†37).  The letter is dated today but the Emperor actually made the decision in Prague on 6 June.

    15 June 1829 Variations concertantes for cello and piano op.17 by Felix Mendelssohn (20) is performed for the first time, in London.

    15 June 1831 Le philtre, an opéra by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber (49) to words of Scribe, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    Lyman Beecher and Lowell Mason (39) participate together in the dedication of the new Bowdoin Street Church in Boston.

    15 June 1839 Clara Wieck (19) signs the formal statement in Paris leading to legal proceedings for the setting aside of the need for her father’s consent to marry Robert Schumann (29), should he not agree to it.

    15 June 1843 Edvard Hagerup Grieg is born in Bergen, fourth of five children born to Alexander Grieg, a merchant and British consul at Bergen, and Gesine Judith Hagerup, pianist and daughter of a provincial governor and member of parliament.

    15 June 1844 Frédéric Chopin (34) meets his sister Ludwika and her husband in Paris.  They will be together for ten days and again later in the summer at Nohant.  It is the happiest time of his life.  George Sand tells her, “you are the best doctor he ever had.”

    15 June 1853 Johannes Brahms (20) meets Franz Liszt (41) and Peter Cornelius (28) at Altenburg, the mansion of Princess Carolyne Sayn-Wittgenstein in Weimar.  Brahms is too nervous to play any of his music so Liszt reads the e flat minor scherzo from manuscript.

    15 June 1863 At a station platform in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Louis Moreau Gottschalk (34) alights from the train and with a great crowd reads a sign on the bulletin board.  General Lee has just invaded Pennsylvania and is heading for the state capital at Harrisburg where Gottschalk is due to perform tomorrow.

    15 June 1882 Eric Satie (16) plays Beethoven’s (†55) Piano Sonata op.26 for his examination in piano at the Paris Conservatoire.  His examiners are unimpressed and they dismiss him from the Conservatoire.

    15 June 1887 The third version of King and Charcoal Burner, a comic opera by Antonín Dvorák (45) to words of Lobesky and Novotny, is performed for the first time, at the National Theatre, Prague.

    15 June 1889 The Washington Post, a march by John Philip Sousa (34), is performed for the first time, at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.

    15 June 1891 Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (51) writes to the publisher PI Jurgenson to order a new instrument, a celesta, which he heard in Paris, “before Rimsky-Korsakov (47) and Glazunov (25) get wind of it.”

    Les béatitudes op.53, an oratorio by César Franck (†0) to words of the Bible adapted by Colomb, is performed for the first time with orchestral accompaniment, in Dijon.  See 27 June 1878, 20 February 1879, 21 November 1880 and 30 January 1887.

    15 June 1893 Poor Jonathan, an operetta with 16 numbers by Isaac Albéniz (33) to words of Wittmann, Bauer, and Greenbank, is performed for the first time, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, conducted by the composer.

    15 June 1899 A funeral service in memory of Ernest Chausson held in St. François-de-Sales, is attended by hundreds of artists, among them Gabriel Fauré (54), Henri Duparc (51), Isaac Albéniz (39), Claude Debussy (36), Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin.

    15 June 1900 Otto Clarence Luening is born in Milwaukee, one of seven children born to Eugene Luening, a pianist, singer and composer, and Emma Jacobs, an amateur singer, whose father was a banker, singer and state senator.

    15 June 1901 Universal Edition is founded in Vienna.

    Our Father for tenor, mixed chorus, and piano, by Leos Janácek (46), is performed for the first time, in Brünn (Brno), under the direction of the composer.

    15 June 1905 A Sea Idyll for piano by Frank Bridge (26) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.

    15 June 1908 A diploma of this date states that “Monseiur Satie, Erik (42), a pupil on the course of counterpoint, has passed the end-of-year examinations with distinction and that he fulfils the conditions required for devoting himself exclusively to the study of composition.”  The diploma is signed by Vincent d’Indy (57), Albert Roussel (39), and the secretary of the Schola Cantorum, Paris.

    15 June 1919 Incidental music to Claudel’s (after Aeschylus) play Les Choëphores, by Darius Milhaud (26) is performed for the first time, in a concert setting, in Paris.  See 27 March 1935.

    Nuit de Walpurgis classique op.38, a symphonic poem by Charles Koechlin (51), is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.

    Horatio Parker’s (55) cantata A.D. 1919, to words of Hooker, is performed for the first time, at Yale University in memory of students and alumni of Yale killed in the Great War.

    15 June 1920 Mandragora, a pantomime by Karol Szymanowski (37) to a scenario by Boguslawski and Schiller after Molière, is performed for the first time, in Warsaw.  It is a great success and 30 performances will follow.  The run is only ended by the appearance of the Red Army outside Warsaw in August.

    Three works for piano by Arnold Bax (36) are performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London:  The Slave Girl, What the Minstrel Told Us and Lullaby.

    15 June 1921 Darius Milhaud (28) publishes a review entitled “A bas Wagner” wherein he suggests that “Apart from some of his overtures, Wagner’s music should never be played in the concert hall.”  He receives an avalanche of negative mail, “letters of remonstrance and insult.”

    Aaron Copland (20) lands at Le Havre.  On the trip from New York he has befriended a young painter named Marcel Duchamp.

    15 June 1924 Mercure, a ballet by Erik Satie (58) to a scenario by de Beaumont and Massine, scenery and costumes by Picasso, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de La Cigale, Paris.  A small group of surrealists disrupts the performance with shouts of “Long live Picasso, down with Satie!”

    15 June 1928 Alyeksandr Glazunov (62) leaves Leningrad for Vienna as a delegate to the Schubert centennial.  He will shortly take up residence in Boulogne-sur-Seine, near Paris, and never return to his native land.

    15 June 1931 Two new works by Virgil Thomson (34) are performed for the first time in the Salle Chopin, Paris:  Stabat mater for soprano and string quartet to words of Jacob, and String Quartet no.1.

    15 June 1933 Symphony in e minor by Florence Price (46) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.  It is the first work by an African-American woman to be performed by a major symphony orchestra.

    15 June 1937 Fearful that the official premiere of The Cradle Will Rock will be cancelled, Marc Blitzstein (32) organizes an open final rehearsal at the Maxine Elliott Theatre in New York.  Most important people in New York theatre are there.

    15 June 1939 Music for Ravenne’s play Voyage au pays du rêve by Darius Milhaud (46) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France, the composer conducting.

    15 June 1942 After a journey of more than two weeks from Tbilisi, Sergey Prokofiev (51) and his mistress Mira Mendelson arrive in Alma-Ata (Almaty, Kazakhstan).  He has traveled there at the invitation of Sergey Eisenstein to work on a new film about Ivan the Terrible.

    15 June 1947 Die Bernauerin, an opera by Carl Orff (51) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in the Württembergisches Staatstheater, Stuttgart.  The work is dedicated to Kurt Huber, an ethnomusicologist executed by the Nazis.

    15 June 1948 A Presto for cello and piano by Leos Janácek (†19) is performed for the first time, in Brno 38 years after it was composed.

    15 June 1950 Folksongs of the Four Seasons, a cantata for female chorus and orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams (77), is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.

    Cinq rechants for twelve solo voices by Olivier Messiaen (41) to his own words is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    15 June 1951 Canzona for band by Peter Mennin is performed for the first time, in New York.

    15 June 1953 Incidental music to Anderson’s play The Tall Kentuckian by Norman Dello Joio (40) is performed for the first time, in the amphitheatre of Iroquois Park, Louisville.  Mayor Charles Farnsley temporarily suspended the “whites only” policy in the park, in order to allow the city’s blacks to view the play during its run, today through 5 July.

    15 June 1958 Symphony no.2 by Florent Schmitt (87) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.

    15 June 1959 Madrigals (Part-Song Book) for chorus by Bohuslav Martinu (68) to traditional Moravian words is performed for the first time, in Brno.

    15 June 1960 String Quartet no.3 by Isang Yun (42) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.

    Variations I for any number of players with any means of producing sounds by John Cage (47) is performed for the first time, in Cologne by David Tudor playing piano.

    15 June 1966 Sweet Was the Song the Virgin Sung for female chorus by Benjamin Britten (52) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church.

    The Visions of Francesco Petrarca, an allegory by Harrison Birtwistle (31) to words of Petrarch (tr. Spenser), is performed for the first time, in St. Michael-le-Belfrey, York.

    15 June 1968 The Last Gospel for soprano, rock group, and orchestra by David del Tredici (31) to words from the Bible, is performed for the first time.

    15 June 1974 Trois rencontres for string trio and orchestra by Betsy Jolas (47) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.

    15 June 1976 Pièce concertante for chamber ensemble by Isang Yun (58) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.

    15 June 1983 Drei Lieder for tenor and piano by Hans Werner Henze (56) to words of Auden is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

    15 June 1984 Riconoscenza per Goffredo Petrassi for solo violin by Elliott Carter (75) is performed for the first time, in the Abbey of Fossanova, Priverno, Italy.

    15 June 1987 String Quartet no.1 op.2 by Wolfgang Rihm (35) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.

    15 June 1988 Water Out of Sunlight, Michael Tippett’s (83) String Quartet no.4 arranged for string orchestra by Meirion Bowen, is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.

    The revised version of the String Quartet no.1 op.5 by Alexander Goehr (55) is performed for the first time, in London.  The work was originally performed in 1959.

    15 June 1989 Under the Double Moon, an opera by Anthony Davis (38) to words of Atherton, is performed for the first time, in St. Louis.

    15 June 1991 Thunder Entered Her for chorus, male chorus, and organ by John Tavener (47) to words of St. Ephraim the Syrian (tr. Brock) is performed for the first time, in St. Alban’s Abbey.

    15 June 1992 Five songs by Benjamin Britten (†15) are performed for the first time, in Blythburgh Church, Aldeburgh:  When you’re feeling like expressing your affection (1935/6) to words of Auden, Wild with passion (1942) to words of Beddoes, If thou wilt ease thine heart (1942) to words of Beddoes, Um Mitternacht (1959/60) to words of Goethe, and Cradle Song (1938) to words of MacNeice.

    15 June 1993 Hommage à Grieg for orchestra by Alfred Schnittke (58) is performed for the first time, in Bergen on the 150th anniversary of Grieg’s (†85) birth.

    15 June 1995 Re-call for 23 instruments by Luciano Berio (69) is performed for the first time, in Paris.  Also premiered is Berio’s Sequenza XII for bassoon.

    15 June 1997 Double Concerto for violin, viola, and orchestra by Benjamin Britten (†20) is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, 65 years after it was composed.

    15 June 2008 Verwandlung 3 for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (56) is performed for the first time, in Weimar.

    Magnificat and Nunc dimittis for chorus and organ by Peter Maxwell Davies (73) is performed for the first time, in Wells Cathedral.

    15 June 2012 De natura sonoris no.3 for orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (78) is performed for the first time, in the Koncertsalen, Denmark.

    16 June

    16 June 1637 Giovanni Paolo Colonna is born in Bologna.

    16 June 1754 L’isola disabitata, an azione comica per musica by Ignaz Holzbauer (42) to words of Metastasio, is performed for the first time, at Schwetzingen.

    16 June 1755 Don Chisciotte, an opera serio-ridicola by Ignaz Holzbauer (43) to words after Cervantes, is performed for the first time, in Schwetzingen.

    16 June 1764 Antigono, an opera seria by Tommaso Traetta (37) to words of Metastasio, is performed for the first time, at the Teatro Nuovo, Padua.

    16 June 1791 La locanda, a dramma giocoso by Giovanni Paisiello (51) to words of Toniolo after Bertati, is performed for the first time, in the London Pantheon.

    16 June 1804 Johann Adam Hiller dies in Leipzig, aged 75 years, five months and 22 days.

    16 June 1816 Celebrations take place in Vienna honoring the 50th anniversary of Antonio Salieri’s (65) arrival in the city.  He receives a gold medal from the Lord Chamberlain in the name of Emperor Franz.  High Mass is celebrated, during which Salieri conducts his own music.  In the evening, a concert by his pupils takes place in his Vienna home, wherein Beitrag zur fünfzigjährigen Jubelfeier des Herrn Salieri D.441 for solo voices and piano by Franz Schubert (19) is performed for the first time.

    During a rainstorm at his villa in Geneva, Lord Byron writes and reads several horror tales to his guests and suggests they do the same.  One of the guests is 19-year-old Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, who thereupon pens Frankenstein.

    16 June 1823 Publication of the Diabelli Variations by Ludwig van Beethoven (32) is announced.

    16 June 1825 In Weimar, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe receives two packages from composers.  One includes piano quartets from Felix Mendelssohn (16).  The other contains some songs to Goethe poems from Franz Schubert (28).  Goethe will write a long letter of thanks to Mendelssohn.  He will not respond to Schubert.  It is the one and only time that Schubert makes a personal approach to Goethe.

    16 June 1830 Richard Wagner (17) enters the Thomasschule in Leipzig where he takes violin lessons for a short while.

    Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (24) gives birth to her first and only child, Sebastian Ludwig Felix Hensel in Berlin.  The child is named after her three favorite composers.

    16 June 1837 Unknown at the time, Nicolò Paganini’s (54) concert today in Turin is the last he will ever give.

    16 June 1842 At the Prince Consort’s request, Felix Mendelssohn (33) performs before Victoria and Albert at Buckingham Palace.  He plays some songs without words and then asking for two themes he improvises on Rule Britannia and the Austrian national anthem simultaneously.  (There is some discrepancy about the date.  This appears as 16 June in Victoria’s diary, but it is 20 June according to Mendelssohn).

    16 June 1844 Felix Mendelssohn (35) dines with Charles Dickens in London.  The author has just completed Martin Chuzzlewit.

    16 June 1846 Pesther Csárdás op. 23 by Johann Strauss (20) is performed for the first time, in Ofen.

    16 June 1847 Alexander-Quadrille op.33 by Johann Strauss (21) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    16 June 1850 Incidental music to the play Eine Berliner Grisette by Albert Lortzing (48) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    16 June 1863 Louis Moreau Gottschalk (34) and his party board a train for Harrisburg, the only three civilians on a train full of soldiers.  They pass a stream of refugees fleeing in the opposite direction.  Upon reaching Harrisburg they find a city in terror and decide to forgo their concert and make for Philadelphia.

    16 June 1871 Lust’ger Rath op.350, a polka française by Johann Strauss (45), is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.  Also premiered is Strauss’ Die Bajadere op.351, a polka schnell.

    16 June 1872 Mass no.3 in f minor for soloists, chorus, orchestra, and organ by Anton Bruckner (47) is performed for the first time, in the Augustinerkirche, Vienna under the direction of the composer.

    16 June 1875 Cagliostro Waltz op.370 by Johann Strauss (49) is performed for the first time, in the Gartenbau, Vienna.

    16 June 1909 String Quartet no.1 by Frank Bridge (30) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.

    16 June 1911 Songs of Sunset, for mezzo-soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra by Frederick Delius (49) to words of Dowson, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.

    16 June 1916 Horatio Parker’s (52) masque Cupid and Psyche op.80 to words of Chapman is performed for the first time, in New Haven.

    16 June 1921 String Quartet no.1 by Ernst Krenek (20) is performed for the first time, in Nürnberg.  The work is a sensation.

    16 June 1922 Incidental music to Gide’s play Saül by Arthur Honegger (30) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Vieux Colombier, Paris.

    16 June 1926 Pour le Cantique de Salomon for reciter and chamber group by Arthur Honegger (34) is performed for the first time, in Salle Gaveau, Paris.

    16 June 1927 L’évemtail de Jeanne, a ballet with scenario by Franck and Bourgat, and music by Albert Roussel (58), Florent Schmitt (56), Maurice Ravel (52), Jacques Ibert (36), Roland-Manuel (36), Darius Milhaud (34), Marcel Delannoy (28), Francis Poulenc (28), Georges Auric (28) and Pierre-Octave Ferroud (27), is performed for the first time, at the home of Jeanne Dubost in Paris.  See 4 March 1929.

    16 June 1929 James Kirtland Randall is born in Cleveland.

    The Nose, an opera by Dmitri Shostakovich (22) to words of Zamyatin, Ionin, Preys, and the composer after Gogol, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Leningrad.  See 25 November 1928, 14 January 1930, and 18 January 1930.

    16 June 1932 Kleine Blasmusik for band by Ernst Krenek (31), an arrangement of his Vier Bagatellen, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Südwestfunk originating in Frankfurt.  See 25 April 1937.

    16 June 1937 The Federal Theatre Project announces that The Cradle Will Rock has been cancelled.  Representatives of the play announce that it will go on, somewhere.  Guards are stationed outside the Maxine Elliott Theatre in New York to ensure that FTP materials will not be removed.  Equity informs the producer, John Houseman and the director, Orson Welles that since it is an FTP play, it can not be put on any stage they desire.  They counter by planning to have the cast buy tickets and then perform their parts from their seats.  The musician’s union, an AFL affiliate opposed to the CIO, a hero of the play, says that if they plan to use a Broadway house they need Broadway wages.  Houseman plans to go ahead with the author, Marc Blitzstein (32) playing the piano.  An upright piano is procured and placed in a truck, the driver given five dollars to drive around the block until told where to go.  At 20:00, the Venice Theatre is procured and the cast, crew, press, and audience, all gathered outside the Maxine Elliott walk 20 blocks to the Venice.  The piano arrives.  Firemen get the piano onstage, but a better piano is found.  After statements from Houseman and Welles, Blitzstein begins to play and sing, half-expecting that he would do the entire production himself.  After a few lines, an actress rises from her seat and continues the song, the house’s one spotlight on her.  Most of the cast has made it and they perform their parts from the house.  Parts missing are done by Blitzstein.  Thus, The Cradle Will Rock, a play in music by Marc Blitzstein (32) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in New York.  At the end, the audience goes wild.  See 1 July 1937.

    16 June 1943 Passacaglia and Fugue op.34 for band by Wallingford Riegger (58) is performed for the first time, in New York.  See 19 March 1944.

    16 June 1950 Plupart du temps, six songs for voice and piano by Betsy Jolas (23) to words of Reverdy, is performed for the first time before a live audience, in Paris.  It was heard over the radio last year.

    Two works for band are performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York:  Tunbridge Fair by Walter Piston (56), and Divertimento op.42 by Vincent Persichetti (35).

    16 June 1961 The University of Illinois appoints Harry Partch (59) as a Research Associate in the Department of Speech and Theatre.

    16 June 1962 The mortal remains of John Ireland are laid to rest in the church of St. Mary the Virgin at Shipley, West Sussex.

    King Herod and the Cock, a carol for voices and piano by Benjamin Britten (48) to traditional words, is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church, the composer at the keyboard.  Also premiered is Britten’s The Twelve Apostles for solo voice, unison voices, and piano, the composer at the keyboard.

    16 June 1964 Der goldene Bock, an opera by Ernst Krenek (63) to his own words, is performed for the first time, at the Hamburg State Opera, under the baton of the composer.

    16 June 1965 The Dream, an opera by Ton de Leeuw (38) to his own words after a Chinese legend (tr. Henderson) is performed for the first time, in Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam.

    16 June 1971 Les trois souhaits, ou Les vicissitudes de la vie, a film opera by Bohuslav Martinu (†11) to words of Ribemont-Dessaignes, is performed for the first time, in Brno 42 years after it was composed.

    16 June 1973 Death in Venice op.88, an opera by Benjamin Britten (59) to words of Piper after Mann, is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.  The composer, still recovering from last month’s heart surgery, is too ill to attend.

    16 June 1976 Phaedra op.93, a dramatic cantata for voice, strings, percussion, cello, and harpsichord by Benjamin Britten (62) to words of Racine (tr. Lowell), is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.

    16 June 1977 Electronic Sonata for four-channel tape by Lejaren Hiller (53) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.

    16 June 1978 The Two Fiddlers, a children’s opera by Peter Maxwell Davies (43) to his own words after Mackay Brown, is performed for the first time, in Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Erscheinung for nine strings and piano ad.lib. by Wolfgang Rihm (26) is performed for the first time, in Baden-Baden the composer at the keyboard.

    16 June 1979 Kirkwall Shopping Songs for children’s chorus, recorders, percussion, and piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (44) to his own words, is performed for the first time, at Papdale Primary School, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    16 June 1983 Sonatina Romantica for piano by Benjamin Britten (†6) is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, 43 years after it was composed.

    16 June 1984 Bran(d)t aan de Amstel for three choruses, 100 flutes, three bands, four hurdy-gurdys, four drum sets, and four carillons by Henry Brant (70) is performed for the first time, on several barges plying the canals of Amsterdam.

    16 June 1986 Version 3 of Algorithms III for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (62) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.

    16 June 1988 Concerto for horn and orchestra op.46 by Robin Holloway (44) is performed for the first time, in London.

    Five Stone for three performers by John Cage (75) is performed for the first time in Berlin.  It is the first part of Five Stone Wind.  See 30 July 1988.

    16 June 1989 Süden from the cycle Die Stücke der Windrose for small orchestra by Mauricio Kagel (57) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    Peter Maxwell Davies’ (54) music-theatre piece The Great Bank Robbery is performed for the first time, in Kirkwall Arts Theatre, Orkney.

    16 June 1990 Dunkles Spiel for chamber orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (38) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.

    Kammerkonzert I for chamber ensemble by Isang Yun (72) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    The Lord Has a Child for chorus and brass quintet by William Schuman (79) to words of Hughes, is performed for the first time, in Greenwich, Connecticut for its 350th anniversary.

    16 June 1991 Viola Zombie for two violas by Michael Daugherty (37) is performed for the first time, in Ithaca, New York.

    16 June 1993 Incidental music to the play Doctor Zhivago after Pasternak by Alfred Schnittke (58) is performed for the first time, in Taganka Theatre, Moscow.

    Fugue sur un sujet d’Ernest Le Grand op.126 for string quartet by Charles Koechlin (†42) is performed for the first time, in Berlin 62 years after it was composed.

    16 June 2000 Mr. Emmet Takes a Walk, an opera by Peter Maxwell Davies (65) to words of Pountney, is performed for the first time, in Pickaquoy Center, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    16 June 2001 Overture with Handelian Air for orchestra by Alexander Goehr (68) is performed for the first time, in Halle.

    Partita for violin and strings by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (62) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.

    16 June 2012 Sinfonietta no3 by Krzysztof Penderecki (78) is performed for the first time, in Munich.

    17 June

    17 June 1672 Orazio Benevoli dies in Rome, aged 67 years, one month, and 29 days.

    17 June 1787 Le pied de boeuf, a divertissement by François-Joseph Gossec (53) to words of Gardel, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    17 June 1789 21:55  Fire breaks out in the King’s Theatre, London while a rehearsal is going on.  The building is totally destroyed, but no lives are lost.

    17 June 1812 Georg Joseph Vogler (63) and Meyer Beer (Giacomo Meyerbeer) (20) travel to Nymphenburg to see the Queen of Bavaria.  Vogler intercedes on behalf of his protégé to have his opera Jephtas Gelübde performed at the Court Theatre, and that the Queen may allow Meyerbeer to play in the Court Concert.  The Queen says she will have to consult the King.  Later, Meyerbeer is summoned to play in the evening.  He is last in a line of performers and plays his Rondo in g minor at the piano.  The Queen compliments him and asks about his compositions.

    17 June 1816 Franz Schubert (19) records in his diary that today he composed for money for the first time.  It is his cantata Prometheus.  See 24 July 1816.

    17 June 1818 Charles François Gounod is born in Paris, second and last child born to François-Louis Gounod, official artist to the Duc de Berry and drawing master to the pages of the King’s Chamber, and Victoire Lemachois, daughter of a lawyer.

    17 June 1848 Richard Wagner (35) reads his article “What relationship do republican endeavors bear to the monarchy?” to the Vaterlandsverein.  It is strongly anti-monarchy.

    17 June 1858 Deciding to devote himself entirely to music, Modest Musorgsky (19) resigns his commission in the Preobrazhensky Regiment of Guards.

    17 June 1859 God, Our Father (The Lord’s Prayer) for chorus, orchestra and organ by Stanislaw Moniuszko (40) is performed for the first time, in Warsaw.

    17 June 1863 Louis Moreau Gottschalk (34) and his party reach Philadelphia after a train trip of 150 km from Harrisburg which takes the entire night.  Their train, packed to the gills with refugees, is constantly shunted to make room for troop trains going in the opposite direction.

    17 June 1869 Hans von Bülow, in Munich, writes to his wife Cosima at Tribschen that he reluctantly agrees to a final separation.  He entrusts the care of their two children to her.  He is apparently unaware that she has just given birth to Richard Wagner’s (56) third child.

    17 June 1872 The World Peace Jubilee and International Music Festival opens in Boston.  Among those who will perform over the next two weeks are Johann Strauss (46) and his orchestra, the Garde Republican Band of France, the English Grenadier Guards Band, and the Kaiser Franz Grenadiers Band from Germany.  19,000 players and singers will take part in a 100,000 seat structure.

    17 June 1875 Three works by Franz Liszt (63) are performed for the first time, in Weimar:  Die heilige Cäcilia for mezzo-soprano, chorus, and orchestra to words of de Girardin, Hymne de l’enfant à son réveil for female chorus, piano, and harp to words of Lamartine, and Erste Elegie for cello, piano, harp, and harmonium.

    String Quartet no.7 op.16 by Antonin Dvorák (33) is performed for the first time, privately, in Prague.  See 29 December 1878.

    17 June 1882 Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky is born in Oranienbaum (Lomonosov), 40 km west of St. Petersburg, third of four children born to Fyodor Ignatyevich Stravinsky, bass singer at the Imperial Opera House (Mariinsky), St. Petersburg, and Anna Kirilovna Kholodovsky, daughter of an official in the Ministry of Estates in Kiev.

    17 June 1908 Igor Stravinsky’s orchestral work Fireworks is performed for the first time, a few hours after the wedding of the dedicatees, Maximilian Steinberg and Nadezhda Rimsky-Korsakov on the composer’s 26th birthday.  See 6 February 1909.

    Installation March op.108 for military band by Charles Villiers Stanford (55) is performed for the first time, for the installation of the new chancellor of Cambridge University.

    17 June 1912 The orchestrated version of En Habit de cheval by Erik Satie (46) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau by Société de Musique Independante.  The composer is refused admittance because he is not dressed well enough.  Also premiered is Les vendanges op.30/1 for orchestra by Charles Koechlin (44).

    17 June 1916 Two Old English Songs for string quartet by Frank Bridge (37) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.

    17 June 1919 A concert version of El sombrero de tres picos, a ballet by Manuel de Falla (42) to a scenario by Martínez Sierra after Alarcón, is performed for the first time, at the Teatro Eslava, Madrid.  This ballet is a reworking of El corregidor y la molinera.  See 22 July 1919.

    17 June 1923 An American couple, Gerald and Sara Murphy, are so enthralled by Les Noces that they hire a barge moored in the Seine before the Chambre des Députés and throw a party in its honor.  Attending (among others) are Igor Stravinsky (on his 41st birthday), Pablo Picasso, Darius Milhaud (30), Jean Cocteau, Ernest Ansermet, Sergey Diaghilev and Germaine Tailleferre.  Ansermet plays the piano while Cocteau puts on the barge captain’s uniform “and went about the barge with a lantern, putting his head in at portholes to announce the ship was sinking.  At one point, Ansermet and Boris Kochno managed to take down an enormous laurel wreath bearing the inscription ‘Les Noces-Hommages’ that had been hung from the ceiling and were holding it for Stravinsky who ran the length of the room and leaped nimbly through the center.”

    17 June 1924 The Splendour Falls on the Castle Walls, a work for chorus by Frederick Delius (62) to words of Tennyson, is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.

    17 June 1929 A concert entitled “Concert d’Oeuvres de Jeunes Compositeurs Américains”, organized by Aaron Copland (28), takes place at the Salle Chopin, Paris.  Featured on the program are works by Copland, Carlos Chávez (30) and Roy Harris (31).  Several works for voice and piano by Virgil Thomson (32) are performed for the first time, the composer at the piano:  Susie Asado, La Seine and the cycle Preciosilla, all to words of Stein, Le Berceau de Gertrude Stein, ou La Mystère de la Rue de Fleurus and the cycle La Valse grégorienne, both to words of Hugnet.

    University of Illinois, a march by John Philip Sousa (74), is performed for the first time.

    17 June 1935 In Dresden, Richard Strauss (71) writes a letter to his Jewish librettist Stefan Zweig in Zürich, in which he tells how he does not consider himself a German or an Aryan composer.  “The people exist for me only at the moment they become audience.  Whether they are Chinese, Bavarians, New Zealanders, or Berliners leaves me cold.  What matters is that they pay the full price of admission.”  The letter is intercepted by the Gestapo and copies are sent to Hitler and Goebbels.

    A Clarinet Sonata by Arnold Bax (51) is performed for the first time, in Cowdray Hall, London.

    17 June 1937 Trois chansons de négresse op.148b for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (44) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    17 June 1938 Das Augenlicht, for chorus and orchestra by Anton Webern (54) to words of Jone (pseud. Hildegard Humplik), is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.  It is very successful.  In the audience is Luigi Dallapiccola (34) who is strongly impressed.

    17 June 1939 Symphonic Variations by Witold Lutoslawski (26) is performed in a live concert for the first time, in Krakow.  It was broadcast over Polish Radio, Warsaw last April.

    17 June 1945 Lou Harrison (28) and John Cage (32) attend a concert in Town Hall, New York of compositions by Alan Hovhaness (34).  They are both surprised at the music, how beautiful it is with so few materials, drones and a melody.  After the performance, Harrison meets Hovhaness and writes a review for the New York Herald Tribune.  Hovhaness will recall, “Lou gave me the first good review I ever had.”

    Two works for orchestra are performed for the first time, over the airwaves of NBC radio originating in San Francisco:  Mirage by Roy Harris (47) and Horizon by Samuel Barber (35).

    17 June 1949 John Cage (36) performs his Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano at the Paris salon of Suzanne Tézenas, with introductory remarks by Pierre Boulez (24).

    Variations for piano by Hans Werner Henze (22) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt.

    A Solemn Music for band by Virgil Thomson (52) is performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York.

    17 June 1950 Old American Songs, Set I for voice and piano by Aaron Copland (49) is performed for the first time, at Aldeburgh by Peter Pears and Benjamin Britten (36).

    17 June 1957 Incidental music to Duncan’s radio play Don’t Listen Ladies by Peter Sculthorpe (28) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

    Agon, a ballet by Igor Stravinsky, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Los Angeles on the composer’s 75th birthday.  Elliott Carter (48) is in the audience.  See 1 December 1957.

    17 June 1958 Songs from the Chinese op.58, a cycle for voice and guitar by Benjamin Britten (44) to various Chinese poets (tr. Waley), is performed for the first time, at Great Glenham House, Aldeburgh.

    17 June 1959 A Hand of Bridge, an opera by Samuel Barber (49) to words of Menotti (47), is performed for the first time, in Teatro Caio Melisso, Spoleto.

    Two songs by Charles Ives (†5) are performed for the first time, at Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont:  Nov. 2, 1920 (An Election), to his own words, and Romanzo (di Central Park) to words of Hunt.

    17 June 1965 Carmen Paschale for chorus by Harrison Birtwistle (30) to words of Sedulus Scottus is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church.

    Old Home Days, a song by Charles Ives (†10) to his own words, is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music, London.

    17 June 1968 Cello Suite no.2 op.80 by Benjamin Britten (54) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.

    17 June 1969 Kammerkonzert for clarinet, string quartet, and string orchestra by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (†5) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.

    17 June 1972 New works by British composers in honor of Igor Stravinsky (†1) are performed for the first time, in St. John’s Smith Square, London on the 90th anniversary of Stravinsky’s birth:  In memoriam Magistri for flute, clarinet, and string quartet by Michael Tippett (67), the first live performance of Canon in memoriam Igor Stravinsky for flute, clarinet, harp, and string quartet by Peter Maxwell Davies (37), and Tombeau in memoriam Igor Stravinsky for flute, clarinet, harp, and string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (36).  See 6 April 1972.

    “...explosante-fixe...” (first realization) for flute, clarinet, and trumpet by Pierre Boulez (47) is performed for the first time, in London.

    17 June 1974 Missa brevis for solo voices and chorus by Ned Rorem (50) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.

    17 June 1976 The Egg, a church opera by Gian Carlo Menotti (64) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Washington Cathedral.

    17 June 1977 Dmaathen for oboe and percussion by Iannis Xenakis (55) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.  Also premiered is Xenakis’ Akanthos for soprano and eight players.

    17 June 1978 Encore for orchestra by Luciano Berio (52) is performed for the first time, in Rotterdam.

    17 June 1982 Le repos de Tityre op.216/10 for oboe d’amore or clarinet or soprano saxophone by Charles Koechlin (†31) is performed for the first time, in Ville d’Avray, 34 years after it was composed.

    17 June 1983 A Quiet Place, an opera by Leonard Bernstein (64) to words of Wadsworth, is performed for the first time, in Houston.

    Peter Mennin dies in New York of pancreatic cancer, aged 60 years and one month.  He kept the seriousness of his disease a secret, even from family members and colleagues at the Juilliard School.

    17 June 1985 Er, a Fernsehspiel by Mauricio Kagel (53), is shown for the first time, over the airwaves of WDR, Cologne.

    17 June 1987 Central Park Reel for violin and piano by Lukas Foss (64) is performed for the first time, in Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore.

    17 June 1988 Elliott Carter’s (79) Oboe Concerto is performed for the first time, in the Grosser Tonhallesaal, Zürich.

    Orait for dancers and vocal ensemble by Gordon Mumma (53) is performed for the first time, in Santa Cruz, California.

    17 June 1989 Miserere for solo voices, chorus, chamber ensemble, and organ by Arvo Pärt (53) is performed for the first time, in Rouen.

    17 June 1990 Europeras 3&4 by John Cage (77) are performed for the first time, in London.  The press is mixed.

    17 June 1991 Gunther Schuller (65) wins a “genius grant” from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

    The Red Cockatoo for voice and piano by Benjamin Britten (†14) to words of Waley after Bai Juyi, is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, 53 years after it was composed.

    17 June 1992 Concerto grosso for orchestra by Philip Glass (55) is performed for the first time, in Bonn.

    17 June 1993 Odyssey for mezzo-soprano, bass-baritone, 16 players, and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (58) to words of Beckett is performed for the first time, in the Georges Pompidou Center, Paris.

    17 June 1994 Mikis Theodorakis (68) resigns as music director of the choir and two orchestras of Hellenic State Radio, attacking the media empire of Christos Lambrakis.

    Two works for violin and cello by Jacob Druckman (65) are performed for the first time, in Charonne, France:  Dark Wind and Duo.

    17 June 1995 Vor, während, nach Zaide, comment on an opera by WA Mozart (†203) to a libretto by JD Schachtner, for chamber orchestra by Luciano Berio (69) to words of Arruga is performed for the first time, in Teatro della Pergola, Florence.

    Helios a concerto for oboe and orchestra by Thea Musgrave (67) is performed for the first time, in Kirkwall, Orkney.

    17 June 1998 In memoriam, Pádraig Pearse for orchestra by Arnold Bax (†44) is performed for the first time, in Manchester 82 years after it was composed.

    17 June 2000 Como cierva sedienta for soprano and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (64) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time in the version for female choir and orchestra, in Teatro Guimera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.  See 3 February 1999.

    Orkney Saga V:  Westerly Gale in Biscay, Salt in the Bread Broken for chorus and orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (65) is performed for the first time, in the Pickaquoy Center, Kirkwall, Orkney the composer conducting.

    The Vision, a motet for chorus and string quartet by Dominick Argento (62) to words of Dante, is performed for the first time, in the Church of the Transfiguration, Orleans, Massachusetts.  Also premiered is Transfigurations, an ecumenical mass for solo voices, chorus, brass quintet, and organ by Samuel Adler (72).

    17 June 2004 Secret Land for twelve solo cellos and orchestra by Tan Dun (46) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    Chamber Concerto no.2 by Hubert Howe (62) is performed for the first time, in The Flea Theatre, New York.

    Symphony no.4 by John Harbison (65) is performed for the first time, in Seattle.

    17 June 2006 Elegy for viola and strings by Peter Sculthorpe (77) is performed for the first time, in Sydney.

    17 June 2010 from Shadow of Night for counter tenor and viol consort by Alexander Goehr (77) is performed for the first time, in Kings Place, London.

    18 June

    18 June 1466 Ottaviano Petrucci is born in Fossombrone.

    18 June 1726 Michel-Richard de Lalande dies at Versailles, aged 68 years, six months, and three days.

    18 June 1757 Ignaz Josef Pleyel is born in Ruppersthal, Austria, son of Martin Pleyel, a schoolteacher, and Anna Theresia Pleyel.

    18 June 1770 Leopold (50) and Wolfgang Amadeus (14) Mozart take a trip from Naples to view Mt. Vesuvius, Pompeii, and Herculaneum.

    18 June 1776 The Divertimento K.247 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (20) is performed for the first time, for the name day of Countess Antonia Lodron (which is actually 13 June) in Salzburg.

    18 June 1778 Symphony K.297 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (22) is performed publicly for the first time, at a Concert spirituel, Paris.  It is “exceptionally successful.”  (Abert, 507)  Unfortunately, his mother is too ill to attend.  See 12 June 1778.

    18 June 1803 Le baiser et la quittance, ou Une aventure de garrison, an opéra-comique by Adrien Boieldieu (27), Etienne-Nicolas Méhul (39), Rodolphe Kreutzer and Nicolò Isouard, to words of Picard, Dieulafoy and Longchamps after Polier de Bottens, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.  It will fail in Paris but do better elsewhere.

    18 June 1812 Franz Schubert (15) begins instruction in counterpoint with Antonio Salieri (61) in Vienna.

    18 June 1816 Charles de France ou Amour et Gloire, an opéra comique by Adrien Boieldieu (40) and Louis Joseph Ferdinand Hérold (25) to words of Théaulon de Lambert, d’Artois de Bournonville and de Rancé, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.

    18 June 1819 Vincenzo Bellini (17) arrives in Naples from Catania to matriculate at the Real College de musica di San Sebastiano.

    18 June 1821 19:00  Carl Maria von Weber’s (34) romantic opera Der Freischütz to words of Kind after Apel and Laun is performed for the first time, at the opening of the rebuilt Berlin Schauspielhaus to great success.  In the audience is an interested 12-year-old named Felix Mendelssohn.  Within the next two years, Der Freischütz will be staged in all the important theatres of Germany.

    18 June 1831 Gaetano Donizetti’s (33) opera buffa La romanziera e l’uomo nero to words of Gilardoni is performed for the first time, in Teatro del Fondo, Naples.

    18 June 1840 Margherita Barezzi Verdi (27), wife of Giuseppe Verdi (26) dies in Milan of encephalitis.  Verdi has lost his wife and two young children in less than two years.

    18 June 1852 Liebes-Lieder op.114, a waltz by Johann Strauss (26), is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    Incidental music to Ponsard’s play Ulysse by Charles Gounod is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris, on the composer’s 34th birthday.

    18 June 1856 Les dragées du baptême by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Dupeuty and Bourget is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris.

    18 June 1860 A setting of the 23rd Psalm by Franz Liszt (48) is performed for the first time.

    18 June 1869 Two works for piano by Louis Moreau Gottschalk (40) are performed for the first time, in Rio de Janeiro by the composer:  Dernier Amour op.63 and Tremolo op.58.

    18 June 1885 Duke Georg II confirms the appointment of Richard Strauss (21) as assistant court conductor in Saxe-Meiningen.

    18 June 1913 String Sextet by Frank Bridge (34) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.

    18 June 1914 The first movement of the Violin Sonata no.1 by Arnold Bax (30) is performed for the first time, in Steinway Hall, London.  See 21 April 1983.

    18 June 1918 The Ziegfeld Follies of 1918 opens at the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, for the first time with the participation of George Gershwin (19).

    18 June 1921 Five members of Les Six, Arthur Honegger (29), Germaine Tailleferre, Darius Milhaud (28), Francis Poulenc (22) and Georges Auric, are brought together by Jean Cocteau, each to produce a section of the ballet Les mariés de la tour Eiffel, to his scenario.  The work is produced at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris.  Audience reactions are strongly mixed.  Aaron Copland (20) is in the audience, but he remembers it as 19 June.

    18 June 1923 George White’s Scandals of 1923, a revue with book by Wells and White, lyrics by DeSylva and Goetz, and eight new songs by George Gershwin (24), is performed for the first time in New York, at the Globe Theatre.  See 5 June 1923.

    18 June 1924 Ruth Crawford (22) receives a baccalaureate degree from the American Conservatory in Chicago.

    18 June 1927 Incidental music to Calderón de la Barca’s play El gran teatro del mundo by Manuel de Falla (50) is performed for the first time, at the University of Granada.

    18 June 1929 RCA orders 500 Theremins, 300 made by General Electric and 200 by Westinghouse.  They plan to see if there is a market for the device.

    18 June 1930 Grammophonplatten-eigene Stücke by Paul Hindemith (34) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    18 June 1939 The second episode of Helweg’s (after White) play The Sword in the Stone entitled “Merlyn’s New Job” with music by Benjamin Britten (25) is broadcast for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC.

    18 June 1944 Paul Lansky is born in New York.

    Sonatina no.1 for 16 wind instruments by Richard Strauss (80) is performed for the first time, in Dresden as part of celebrations surrounding Strauss’ 80th birthday.

    18 June 1946 Drei geistliche Lieder for voice and piano by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (28) are performed for the first time, in Cologne.

    18 June 1950 Saudade de juventude suite no.1 for orchestra by Heitor Villa-Lobos (63) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Santa Isabel, Recife the composer conducting.

    18 June 1954 Singing Band for concert band by Henry Cowell (57) is performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York conducted by the composer.

    18 June 1955 Le Marteau sans Maître for alto and six players by Pierre Boulez (30) to words of Char, is performed for the first time, in Baden-Baden.

    18 June 1957 Sonata for flute and piano by Francis Poulenc (58) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg by Jean-Pierre Rampal and the composer.

    18 June 1958 Marc Blitzstein (53) appears for a second time to be questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee in New York.  He is once again among many other well-known members of the entertainment industry.  Although he appears today and tomorrow, he is not called again to testify.

    Benjamin Britten’s (44) children’s opera Noye’s Fludde op.59, to an anonymous text, is performed for the first time, in Orford Church.

    18 June 1959 Mikes of the Mountains, a cantata for solo voices, chorus, and instruments by Bohuslav Martinu (68) to words of Bures, is performed for the first time, in Prague.

    18 June 1961 Trigon for wind orchestra by Ulysses Kay (44) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.

    18 June 1962 Atlántida, a scenic cantata by Manuel de Falla (†15) to his own words, after Verdaguer, and completed by Halffter, is staged completely for the first time, at Teatro alla Scala, Milan.  See 24 October 1961.

    18 June 1963 The 50th anniversary of Le Sacre du printemps by Igor Stravinsky (81) is celebrated in a gala concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, its original venue.  The concert, which also includes Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments and Zvezdoliki, establishes Pierre Boulez (38) as a formidable conductor.

    18 June 1974 Eindrücke for orchestra by Luciano Berio (48) is performed for the first time, in Zürich.

    18 June 1977 The Martyrdom of St. Magnus, a chamber opera by Peter Maxwell Davies (42) to his own words after Mackay Brown, is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney the composer conducting.

    18 June 1978 Le jongleur de Notre Dame, a masque for mime, baritone, flute, clarinet, keyboards, percussion, violin, cello, and children’s band by Peter Maxwell Davies (43) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Kirkwall, Orkney the composer conducting.

    18 June 1979 Solstice of Light for tenor, chorus, and organ by Peter Maxwell Davies (44) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    18 June 1980 Song for trumpet and wind ensemble by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (†16) is performed for the first time, in Munich.

    Pierre Boulez’ (55) orchestration of his piano pieces Notations I-IV is performed for the first time, in Paris.  See 12 February 1945.

    Six Abassid Songs for tenor, three flutes and percussion by John Tavener (36) is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.  Driving back to his London home afterwards, the composer suffers a mild stroke and crashes into a parked car.  The cause of the accident will not be correctly diagnosed for a week.

    Celebrations of God in Nature for organ by Robert Ward (61) is performed for the first time, in the Cathedral of St. Paul, Minnesota.

    Variazioni e Toccata sopra “Aurora lucis rutilat” op.52 for organ by Alberto Ginastera (64) is performed for the first time, in Minneapolis.

    Dryden Liturgical Suite op.144 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (65) is performed for the first time, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

    Three Toccatinas op.142 for piano by Vincent Persichetti (65) is performed for the first time, at the University of Maryland, College Park.

    18 June 1982 A reconstruction of the smaller of the two houses of the estate at Ivanovka, where Sergey Rakhmaninov (†39) did a good deal of composing, is opened to the public as a museum.  Rakhmaninov’s estate was completely destroyed in 1917 during the revolution.  See 24 September 1995.

    Two sonatinas for oboe d’amore (or soprano saxophone) and chamber orchestra op.194 by Charles Koechlin (†31) are performed for the first time, in Ville d’Avray, 39 years after they were composed.

    Stern Grove Grand Ceremonial Overtures for drum set, two flutes, two clarinets, two saxophones, brass quintet, timpani, glockenspiel, and three marital artists by Henry Brant (68) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.  It will later be known as Horizontals Extending.

    18 June 1983 Incidental music to Mackay Brown’s play Island of the Saints by Peter Maxwell Davies (48) is performed for the first time, in the Arts Theatre, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Seven Artifacts for piano by Lejaren Hiller (59) is performed completely for the first time, in Buffalo, 35 years after it was composed.  Sections of the work have been performed individually.

    18 June 1985 Quartet for piano, violin, viola, and cello by George Rochberg (66) is performed for the first time, in Washington.

    18 June 1988 Inventionen for two flutes by Isang Yun (70) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of NCRV-Radio, originating in Hilversum.

    Three Irish Folksong Settings for voice and flute by John Corigliano (50) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York.

    18 June 1989 Six Songs for St. Andrew’s, a song cycle for children and instruments by Peter Maxwell Davies (54) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Papdale Primary School, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    18 June 1993 Seven Summer Songs, a cycle for children’s voices by Peter Maxwell Davies (58) to his own words, is performed for the first time, at Papdale Primary School, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Archipelago S. for 21 players by Toru Takemitsu (62) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.

    18 June 1994 Cross Lane Fair for Northumbrian pipes, bodhran, and orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (59) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus’ Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney the composer conducting.

    Jack and Jill for voice and piano by John Corigliano (56) to words of Hoffman is performed for the first time, in New York.

    18 June 1995 ...and a Time for Peace for mezzo-soprano and orchestra by Richard Wernick (61) is performed for the first time, in Ravenna.

    18 June 2000 Ravonee for chorus by John Tavener (56) to words of the Orthodox liturgy is performed for the first time, in Salisbury Cathedral.

    18 June 2004 Threnody, in an arrangement for english horn and piano by Thea Musgrave (76), is performed for the first time, in Leicester.  See 20 June 1997.

    18 June 2005 Neruda madrigales for chorus and chamber ensemble by Harrison Birtwistle (70) to words of Neruda is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.

    18 June 2007 Cassandra’s Dream, a film with music by Philip Glass (70), is shown for the first time, in Avilés, Spain.

    19 June

    19 June 1717 Johann Wenzel Anton Stamitz is baptized in Nemecky Brod (Havlickuv Brod).

    19 June 1753 La zingara, an intermezzo by Rinaldo di Capua (c.48), is performed for the first time, at the Académie royale de musique, Paris.

    19 June 1760 The Prussian bombardment of Dresden destroys the complete edition of the works of Johann Adolf Hasse (61) being prepared by Firma Breitkopf.

    19 June 1793 Domenico Cimarosa’s (43) commedia per musica I traci amanti to words of Palomba is performed for the first time, in Teatro Nuovo, Naples.  It is his first opera produced in his home town since 1786.

    19 June 1817 Concertino in G for english horn and orchestra by Gaetano Donizetti (19) is performed for the first time, in Bergamo.

    19 June 1823 Three songs by Franz Schubert (26) to words of Mayrhofter are published by Sauer and Leidesdorf, Vienna as his op.21:  Auf der Donau, Der Schiffer and Wie Ulfru fischt.

    19 June 1825 Il viaggio a Reims, ossia L’albergo del giglio d’oro, a dramma giocoso by Gioachino Rossini (33) to words of Balocchi after de Staël, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre-Italien, Paris.  The work is performed during coronation festivities for Charles X who attends but is bored.

    19 June 1841 Anton Rubinstein (11) performs before King Willem II and the Dutch court in the Palace of Paauw in Wassenaar.

    19 June 1847 Sängerfahren op.41, a waltz by Johann Strauss (21), is performed for the first time, in the Theater an der Wien, Vienna.

    19 June 1868 Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald op.325, a waltz by Johann Strauss (42), is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    19 June 1876 Jacques Offenbach gives his first concert in Philadelphia on the eve of his 57th birthday.  Among the first violin section of the International Exhibition Orchestra is John Philip Sousa (21).

    19 June 1881 Sinfonia in F by Pietro Mascagni (17) is performed for the first time, at the Istituto Musicale Luigi Cherubini, Livorno.

    19 June 1890 Two sacred works by Franz Schubert (†61) are performed for the first time, in the Stadttheater, Eisenach, 61 years after they were composed:  Tantum ergo D.962 for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, and the Offertorium “Intende voci” D.963 for tenor, chorus, and orchestra.

    19 June 1898 The second version of The Jacobin, an opera by Antonín Dvorák (56) to words of Cervinkova-Riegrova, is performed for the first time, in the National Theatre, Prague.

    A Giacomo Leopardi, a cantata for voice and orchestra by Pietro Mascagni (34) to words of Leopardi, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Persiani, Recanati, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the poet’s birth.

    19 June 1899 Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma” for orchestra by Edward Elgar (42) is performed for the first time, in St. James’ Hall, London.  Both critics and public give the work an “almost unreserved success.”  Hubert Parry (51) records that they are “Quite brilliantly clever...”

    19 June 1910 Richard Strauss (46) conducts the Vienna Opera for the first time, in a production of his own Elektra.

    19 June 1913 Two of Claude Debussy’s (50) Préludes for piano (Canope and Hommage à Pickwick, Esq.) are performed for the first time, in Paris, by the composer.

    19 June 1915 A work composed on commission from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Hail! California, by Camille Saint-Saëns (79), is performed for the first time, at the exposition in San Francisco conducted by the composer.

    19 June 1919 Silvestre Revueltas (19) graduates from Chicago Musical College in violin, harmony, and composition.

    The Answer of the Stars, a cantata by Frederick S. Converse (48) to words of Howe, is performed for the first time, for commencement day ceremonies of the Harvard Alumni Association.

    19 June 1926 Karol Szymanowski’s (43) opera King Roger, to words of Iwaszkiewicz and the composer, is performed for the first time, in the Grand Theatre, Warsaw.

    Ballet méchanique by George Antheil (25) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    19 June 1928 Two works for two pianos by Arnold Bax (44) are performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London:  The Poisoned Fountain and The Devil That Tempted St. Anthony.

    19 June 1929 Aubade, a “choreographic concerto” for piano and 18 instruments by Francis Poulenc (30), is performed for the first time, at the home of Vicomte and Vicomtesse de Noailles, Paris the composer at the piano.  See 1 December 1929 and 21 January 1930.

    19 June 1930 Paul Hindemith’s (34) radio play Sabinchen is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    19 June 1932 Durch die Nacht for voice and orchestra by Ernst Krenek (31) is performed for the first time, in the Vienna Musikvereinsaal under the baton of Anton Webern (48).  See 10 April 1931.

    19 June 1937 A run-through of the vocal and piano score to Sergey Prokofiev’s (46) Cantata for the Twentieth Anniversary of October before the Committee on Arts Affairs in Moscow is a disaster.  The work is roundly criticized and will not be performed.  See 5 April 1966.

    19 June 1943 Le capitaine fracasse, a film with music by Arthur Honegger (51), is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    19 June 1944 Robert Ward (26) marries Mary Raymond Benedict, a Red Cross recreation worker, in Hawaii.

    19 June 1951 Cinq choeurs en vingt minutes op.117 for chorus and orchestra by Florent Schmitt (80) are performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.

    19 June 1952 An Oxford Elegy for speaker, small chorus, and small orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams (79) to words of Arnold, is performed publicly for the first time, at Queen’s College, Oxford.  See 20 November 1949.

    19 June 1955 Sonatina for piano by Peter Sculthorpe (26) is performed for the first time, in Baden-Baden.

    19 June 1959 At ceremonies marking graduation from Moscow Conservatory, works by the diploma recipients are performed in the conservatory’s Bolshoy Hall.  Among them are a Symphony in E flat by Sofia Gubaidulina (27).

    19 June 1960 Apparitions for orchestra by György Ligeti (37) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.  It is wildly cheered and marks Ligeti’s first great success as a composer.

    19 June 1965 Gemini Variations op.73 for flute, violin, and piano four hands by Benjamin Britten (51) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church.

    19 June 1968 A Wealden Trio:  the Song of the Women for female chorus by Benjamin Britten (54) to words of Ford is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.

    19 June 1969 Eram quasi agnus for seven winds, handbells, and harp by Peter Maxwell Davies (34) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London the composer conducting.

    19 June 1974 How now for eight instruments by Betsy Jolas (47) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    19 June 1978 Thirteen Dickinson Songs for voice and piano by George Perle (63) is performed for the first time, in Princeton, New Jersey.

    19 June 1979 Façade 2 for chamber ensemble and reciter by William Walton (77) to words of E. Sitwell, is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.

    19 June 1981 Lullaby for Lucy for chorus by Peter Maxwell Davies (46) to words of George Mackay Brown is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    19 June 1982 Incidental music to George Mackay Brown’s play Bessie Millie’s Wind Shop by Peter Maxwell Davies (47) is performed for the first time, in the Arts Theatre, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    19 June 1983 Seid nüchtern und wachet, a cantata by Alfred Schnittke (48) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    19 June 1985 Little Suite of Four Dances for E flat clarinet and piano by William Bolcom (47) is performed for the first time.

    19 June 1987 Sakuntala for tenor and orchestra by Frederick Delius (†53) to words of Drachmann is performed for the first time, at the University of York 98 years after it was composed.

    19 June 1988 String Quartet no.3 by Mauricio Kagel (56) is performed for the first time, in Oslo.

    Mitternachtsstük, a film with music by Mauricio Kagel (56), is shown for the first time, over the airwaves of Schweizer Fernsehen.

    19 June 1990 Concert Piece for organ, brass, timpani, and strings by Charles Villiers Stanford (†66) is performed for the first time, in Belfast, 69 years after it was composed.

    19 June 1991 Four Poems by Jaan Kaplinski for soprano and 13 players by Harrison Birtwistle (56) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.

    19 June 1992 A Selkie Tale, a music theatre piece by Peter Maxwell Davies (57) is performed for the first time, in the Orkney Arts Theatre, Kirkwall.

    Mary of Egypt, an ikon in music and dance by John Tavener (48) to words of Mother Thekla, is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings.

    Six for six percussionists by John Cage (79) is performed for the first time, in The Hague.

    19 June 1994 Improvisation for cello by Alfred Schnittke (59) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    19 June 2000 Symphony no.7 by Peter Maxwell Davies (65) is performed for the first time, in the Pickaquoy Center, Kirkwall, Orkney, the composer conducting.

    19 June 2005 Largo for cello and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (71) is performed for the first time, in the Musikverein, Vienna.

    19 June 2007 The Beautiful Names for chorus and orchestra by John Tavener (63) to words of the Koran is performed for the first time, in Westminster Cathedral, London.

    20 June

    20 June 1767 Toinon et Toinette, an opéra comique by François-Joseph Gossec (33) to words of Desboulmiers, is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Italienne, Paris.

    20 June 1788 Colas et Colette, an opéra bouffon by Giuseppe Cambini (42), is performed for the first time, in Théâtre du Comte du Beaujolais, Paris.

    20 June 1795 Expecting that he will soon be returning to France, François-André Danican-Philidor (68) gives his last chess demonstration in London, playing three simultaneous games blindfolded.

    20 June 1816 An Aria per mezzosoprano by Giacomo Meyerbeer (24) is performed for the first time, in Naples.

    20 June 1819 03:00  Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach is born in Cologne (Köln), seventh of twelve children born to Isaac Juda Eberst “Der Offenbacher” (from Offenbach-am-Main), bookbinder, music teacher, composer and cantor, and Mariane Rindskupf, daughter of a money-changer and lottery-office keeper in Deutz.

    20 June 1821 A duet and aria for Ferdinand Hérold’s (30) Das Zauberglöckchen (La clochette) by Franz Schubert (24) to words of Théaulon de Lambert translated by Treitsche, is performed for the first time, in the Kärntnertortheater, Vienna.

    20 June 1825 In his second Birmingham concert, Franz Liszt (13) presents an overture, probably the overture to his unperformed opera Don Sanche.

    20 June 1832 La tentation, an opéra-ballet by Fromental Halévy (33) and Gide to words of Cavé and Coralli, is performed for the first time, in the Paris Opéra.

    20 June 1833 Frédéric Chopin (21) writes to Ferdinand Hiller, “at this moment Liszt (21) is playing my Studies, and putting honest thoughts out of my head:  I should like to rob him of the way to play my own Studies.”

    20 June 1852 In Berlin, Giacomo Meyerbeer (60) calls on a visiting Russian, Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (48).  The two composers get along well.

    20 June 1868 Anton Bruckner (43) is informed that his application for a faculty position at Vienna Conservatory has been approved.

    20 June 1870 Lady Mary Elizabeth Herbert writes to Hubert Parry (22) informing him unequivocally that he may not entertain any thoughts of marrying her daughter, Maude.  See 25 June 1872.

    20 June 1879 George Whitefield Chadwick’s (24) overture Rip Van Winkle is performed for the first time, in a graduation concert at Leipzig Conservatory, conducted by the composer.

    20 June 1883 Ernest Chausson (28) marries Jeanne Escudier, a pianist, in Église Saint-Augustin, Paris.  They will honeymoon in Bayreuth.

    20 June 1892 Incidental music to Sylvestre’s play Poèmes d’amour by Isaac Albéniz (32) is performed for the first time, at the Lyric Club, London.

    20 June 1893 Suzanne Valadon moves out of Erik Satie’s (27) apartment in Paris and back in with her former lover Paul Mousis, a wealthy lawyer.  The composer responds by placing large posters in the street outside his door, questioning her virtue.  See 14 January 1893.

    20 June 1894 La Navarraise, an épisode lyrique by Jules Massenet (52) to words of Claretie and Cain, is performed for the first time, at Covent Garden, London.  It is so successful, at the curtain, the audience begins standing and screaming for more.  They call for the composer, but as is his custom, he refuses to appear before them.

    20 June 1897 The hymn O king of kings, whose reign of old by Arthur Sullivan (55) to words of How is heard for the first time, at services celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

    20 June 1900 To My Country for chorus by Jean Sibelius (34) to words of Cajander is performed for the first time, in Helsinki.  Also performed, perhaps for the first time, are Sibelius’ Tiera, a tone poem for brass septet and percussion, and Preludio for winds.

    20 June 1901 The Cockaigne Overture (In London Town) op.40 by Edward Elgar (44), is performed for the first time, at Queen’s Hall, London, directed by the composer.  It is a great success with press and public.

    20 June 1902 Two works named Berceuse by Frank Bridge (23) are performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music:  one for violin and strings conducted by Charles Villiers Stanford (49) and one for voice and orchestra to words of D. Wordsworth, the composer conducting.  This is Bridge’s first public appearance as a conductor.

    20 June 1905 Intermezzo for string trio by Zoltán Kodály (22) is performed for the first time, in Budapest.

    20 June 1906 The doctoral dissertation of Anton von Webern (22) at the University of Vienna, on the music of Heinrich Isaac (†389), is approved.

    Florence Smith (19) graduates from New England Conservatory with a diploma in organ performance and piano pedagogy.

    20 June 1908 The Fairies for voice and piano by Arnold Bax (24) to words of Allingham, is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.

    20 June 1919 The String Quartet no.1 of Arthur Honegger (27) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    20 June 1922 In an attempt to alleviate his financial straits, a national tribute takes place in honor of Gabriel Fauré (77) at the Sorbonne, in the presence of President Étienne Alexandre Millerand.  With most of the important musicians in Paris performing his music, the composer sits in the place of honor next to the President.

    Ruth Crawford (20) receives an associate teacher’s certificate in piano, pedagogy, and harmony, a silver medal from the Normal Department, a special honorable mention in history of music, and honorable mentions in counterpoint and composition.

    20 June 1924 Le Train bleu, an operette dansée by Darius Milhaud (31) to words of Cocteau, is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    20 June 1930 The first public performance on the Trautonium takes place at the Berlin Academy of Music.  The three instruments are played by Paul Hindemith (34), his student Oskar Sala, and a piano teacher at the academy, Rudolph Schmidt.  The electronic instrument was developed by Friedrich Trautwein over the last two years.  Hindemith’s Des kleinen Elektromusicers Lieblinge is performed for the first time.

    20 June 1932 Mahnung an die Jugend, sich der Musik zu befleißigen, a cantata for narrator, children’s chorus, and strings by Paul Hindemith (36) to words of Agricola, is performed for the first time, in Plön.  Other excerpts from Plöner Musiktag premiered today are Orchestral Concert Morgenmusik for brass, Trio for three recorders and Tafelmusik.

    20 June 1934 Three works by Heitor Villa-Lobos (47) are performed for the first time, in the Teatro João Caetano, Rio de Janeiro, under the baton of the composer:  Concerto brasileiro for two pianos and chorus, Ena-Môkôcê for solo voice, chorus, and percussion, and Papi curumiassú for solo voice and chorus.

    20 June 1937 Writing from the United States, Arnold Schoenberg (62) asks Anton Webern (53) to deny that he has become a member of the Nazi Party.  (No reply from Webern is extant.)

    Concertino for piano and chamber orchestra by Walter Piston (43) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the CBS radio network originating in New York the composer conducting.

    20 June 1938 Piano Trio no.3 by John Ireland (58) is performed publicly for the first time, in Boosey & Hawkes Music Room, London the composer at the keyboard.  See 4 April 1938.

    20 June 1940 During an attempt to get from Verdun south to Epinal, Olivier Messiaen (31) and four companions are captured by the Germans.

    20 June 1947 Albert Herring op.39, a comic opera by Benjamin Britten (33) to words of Crozier after de Maupassant, is performed for the first time, at Glyndebourne.  The audience is appreciative, the critics mixed.

    20 June 1949 Stradivario, a ballet by Gian Francesco Malipiero (67) to his own story, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Teatro Pergola, Florence.  See 3 June 1958.

    20 June 1950 Lachrymae op.48, reflections on a song of Dowland for viola and piano by Benjamin Britten (36), is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh the composer at the keyboard.

    20 June 1951 An orchestral version of Duke Ellington’s (52) Harlem is performed for the first time, in Lewisohn Stadium, New York.

    20 June 1952 A revised version of Cardillac, an opera by Paul Hindemith (56) to his own words after Lion, is performed for the first time, in the Zürich Stadttheater.

    20 June 1953 Variations on an Elizabethan Theme for strings is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC Third Programme, conducted by Benjamin Britten (39).  Each of the six variations is composed by a different prominent British composer.  Contributors include Britten, Michael Tippett (48) and William Walton (51).

    20 June 1957 Requiem for strings by Toru Takemitsu (26) is performed for the first time, in Hibiya Hall, Tokyo.

    20 June 1958 Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Marc Blitzstein (53) is performed for the first time, in Stratford, Connecticut.  It is a great success.

    20 June 1962 Night Fantasy for band by Robert Ward (44) is performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York.

    20 June 1965 Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum for woodwinds, brass, and percussion by Olivier Messiaen (56), is performed publicly for the first time, in Chartres Cathedral in the presence of President Charles de Gaulle.  See 7 May 1965.

    Paroles tissées for tenor and orchestra by Witold Lutoslawski (52) to words of Chabrun is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh, conducted by the composer.

    20 June 1966 Variations on a Chord for piano by Alfred Schnittke (31) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.

    Musique pour Prague for orchestra op.415 by Darius Milhaud (73) is performed for the first time, in Prague.

    The Possibility of a New Work for Electric Guitar by Morton Feldman (40) is performed for the first time, in the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center by Christian Wolff (32).

    20 June 1968 Twighlight in Texas for orchestra by Henry Cowell (†2) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    20 June 1969 Krzysztof Penderecki’s (35) opera The Devils of Loudun, to his own words after Huxley, is performed for the first time, at the Hamburg Staatsoper.

    20 June 1971 The New York Times reports that Darius Milhaud (78) is retiring from his teaching position at Mills College in California, a post he has held since 1940, and returning to France.

    Geisterliebe, an opera by Isang Yun (53) to words of Kunz, is performed for the first time, in Kiel.

    20 June 1972 Deuxième Symphonie pour seize groupes de haut-parleurs by Pierre Henry (44) is performed for the first time, in the Cirque d’Hiver, Paris.

    Kitharaulos for oboe, harp, piano, percussion, and strings by Ernst Krenek (71) is performed for the first time, in The Hague.

    20 June 1973 Time and Beyond for baritone, clarinet, cello, and piano by Leslie Bassett (50) is performed for the first time, at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti.

    20 June 1974 Cendrées for chorus and orchestra by Iannis Xenakis (52) is performed for the first time, in Lisbon.

    20 June 1979 Unfinished Symphony for strings by Frank Bridge (†38) is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings during the centennial of the composer’s birth.  The work was left unfinished at his death and only a first movement exists.

    Apprehensions for voice, clarinet, and piano by Shulamit Ran (29) to words of Plath is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WFMT radio, Chicago.

    20 June 1980 Capriccio for tuba by Krzysztof Penderecki (46) is performed for the first time, in Kraków.

    A Welcome to Orkney for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, two string quartets, and double bass by Peter Maxwell Davies (45) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    20 June 1981 The Rainbow, music-theatre for young children by Peter Maxwell Davies (46), is performed for the first time, in the Primary School, Stromness, Orkney.  Also premiered is Davies’ incidental music to George Mackay Brown’s play The Well in the Arts Theatre, Kirkwall, Orkney conducted by the composer.

    20 June 1982 Works by Charles Koechlin (†31) are performed for the first time, in Ville d’Avray:  Suite for piano duet op.19, 81 years after it was composed, Douze pastorales op.77 for piano (first complete) 62 years after they were composed, and the Sonata for clarinet and piano no.1 op.85 49 years after it was composed.  See 2 March 1954.

    20 June 1987 Guitar Sonata by Peter Maxwell Davies (52) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    20 June 1991 Four3 by John Cage (78) is performed for the first time, in Theater 11, Zürich.

    20 June 1992 Grohg, a ballet by Aaron Copland (†1) to a scenario by Clurman, is performed for the first time, in London.  The work was composed between 1922 and 1925.

    Then for guitar ensemble by Jonathan Lloyd (43) is performed for the first time, in Exeter.

    20 June 1995 Thaw for instrumental ensemble by Peter Maxwell Davies (60) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus’ Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney conducted by the composer.

    20 June 1996 Concrete Jungle for orchestra by Michael Daugherty (42) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.

    20 June 1997 Threnody for clarinet and piano by Thea Musgrave (69) is performed for the first time, in Purcell Room, London.  Also premiered is Musgrave’s Canta Canta for clarinet, cello, and piano.

    Petite sonnerie de juin for horn, trumpet, and trombone by Betsy Jolas (71) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    Between Two Worlds, an opera by Shulamit Ran (47) to words of Kondek after Ansky, is performed for the first time, in Chicago.

    20 June 1998 Come and do Your will in me for chorus by John Tavener (54) to words of Archimandrite Vasileios and the Orthodox liturgy is performed for the first time, in Chester Cathedral.

    Merlin, an opera by Isaac Albéniz (†89) to words of Money-Coutts, is performed for the first time in the original English, in a concert setting in Auditorio Nacional, Madrid.  See 13 February 1905 and 18 December 1950.

    20 June 1999 Wedding Anthem for chorus by Peter Maxwell Davies (64) to his own words is performed for the first time, in St. Rognvald’s Chapel of St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    20 June 2000 Total Eclipse for soprano saxophone, treble, tenor, counter tenor, chorus, and chamber orchestra by John Tavener (56) to words of the Orthodox liturgy is performed for the first time, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.

    Dhipli Zyia for violin and cello by Iannis Xenakis (78) is performed for the first time, in Triskell, 48 years after it was composed.

    20 June 2002 Mrs. Johnson’s Tunes for recorders and piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (69) is performed for the first time, in Community Hall, Sanday, Orkney.

    20 June 2009 Three works by Elliott Carter (100) are performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh:  Fratribute and Sistribute, both for piano, and On Conversing with Paradise for baritone and ensemble to words of Pound.

    20 June 2010 Proverb for chorus and strings by Peter Maxwell Davies (75) is performed for the first time, in the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    20 June 2011 Snapshot Circa 1909 for orchestra by John Corigliano (73) is performed for the first time, at the Queen Sofia Superior School, Santander, Spain.

    21 June

    21 June 1800 Der Jubel oder Juchhei, a liederspiel by Johann Friedrich Reichardt (47) to his own words is performed for the first time, in the Nationaltheater, Berlin.

    21 June 1806 Carl Maria von Weber (19) closes his career in Breslau (Wroclaw) with a farewell concert.

    21 June 1816 Les dieux rivaux, ou Les fêtes de Cythère, an opéra-ballet by Gaspare Spontini (41) to words of Dieulafoy and Brifaut, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    21 June 1824 Franz Liszt (12) plays his first public concert in London, at the Argyll Rooms.  Among the attenders are Muzio Clementi (72) and Frédéric Kalkbrenner (38).  The room is full and the performance goes very well.

    21 June 1826 A funeral procession for Carl Maria von Weber winds through London.  All important singers in London offer their services.  The composer’s mortal remains are laid to rest in Moorfields Chapel.  See 14 December 1844.

    21 June 1832 William Crotch (56) resigns as first principal of the Royal Academy of Music.

    21 June 1839 Samuel Sebastian Wesley (28) graduates from Magdalen College, Oxford University with the degrees of BMus and DMus.

    21 June 1848 Segna Iddio ne’suoi confini by Gioachino Rossini (56) to words of Martinelli is performed for the first time, in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore.  It was orchestrated by his friend, Domenico Liverani.  The composer is not there.  He has fled to Florence because of charges from various quarters that he is either a conservative or a liberal.

    21 June 1856 Hector Berlioz (52) is elected to the French Institute on his sixth attempt.  He fills the seat vacated by the death of Adolphe Adam.  The enfant terrible of the 1820s and 30s has joined the establishment.

    21 June 1868 Franz Liszt (56) performs in the Great Banquet Hall of the Vatican Library before Pope Pius IX and other high church officials at a gathering to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the elevation of the Pope.

    Die Meistersinger von Nürnburg, a music drama by Richard Wagner (55) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in the Königliches Hof-und Nationaltheater, Munich, conducted by Hans von Bülow, before King Ludwig and 1,500 invited guests.  Although a success with the public, the critics are not impressed.

    21 June 1877 Gustav Mahler (16) again wins the piano competition at the Conservatorium der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde.  He plays Robert Schumann’s (†20) Humoreske op.20.

    21 June 1880 Elégie for cello and piano by Gabriel Fauré (35) is performed for the first time, in a private performance at the home of Camille Saint-Saëns (44), Paris, the composer at the keyboard.  See 15 December 1883 and 23 January 1902.

    21 June 1888 The remains of Ludwig van Beethoven (†61) are exhumed from the Währinger Cemetery and reinterred in the Zentralfriedhof, Vienna.  Among those witnessing the event is Anton Bruckner (63).

    21 June 1890 Two works by Richard Strauss (26) are performed for the first time, in the Eisenach Stadttheater conducted by the composer:  Burleske for piano and orchestra, and the tone poem Tod und Verklärung.  The tone poem is a triumph.

    21 June 1894 Song of Spring, a tone poem by Jean Sibelius (28), is performed for the first time, as Impromptu for Orchestra, in Vaasa, conducted by the composer.

    21 June 1898 Incidental music to Maeterlinck’s (tr. by Mackail) play Pelléas et Mélisande by Gabriel Fauré (53) is performed for the first time, in the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, conducted by the composer.  The music includes an orchestration of the Sicilienne op.78 for cello and piano.  This production is very successful, both with the audience and critics.  See 16 April 1898.

    21 June 1899 Dry Those Fair, Those Crystal Eyes, a song for voice and piano by Edward Elgar (42) to words of King is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall.

    21 June 1902 Land of Hope and Glory for alto, chorus, and orchestra by Edward Elgar (45) to words of Benson, is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.

    21 June 1903 Melodía for violin and piano by Enrique Granados (35) is performed for the first time, at the Teatre de Catalunya, Barcelona.

    21 June 1907 Gustav Mahler (46) signs a contract in Vienna to conduct the Metropolitan Opera in New York during three months in each of the years 1908-1911.

    21 June 1908 Early morning.  Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov dies at his summer home in Lyubensk, St. Petersburg government, of angina pectoris, aged 64 years, three months, and three days.

    21 June 1910 Pietro Mascagni (46) and the singer Anna Lolli consummate their relationship at Castell’Arquato near Piacenza, the home of his librettist, Luigi Illica.  They will continue to celebrate 21 June as their anniversary.

    21 June 1916 The 2/4 Field Ambulance of the Royal Army Medical Corps, containing orderly Ralph Vaughan Williams (43), is posted to France.

    21 June 1921 In a concert of students of Franz Schreker (43) in the Konzertsaal of the Staatliche Akademische Hochschule für Musik, Ernst Krenek’s (20) Sonata for violin and piano op.3 is performed for the first time, the composer at the keyboard.

    Jongleurs for two pianos by Francis Poulenc (22) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Colisée, Paris.

    21 June 1930 Wir bauen eine Stadt, a children’s opera by Paul Hindemith (34) to words of Seitz, is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    21 June 1932 After conducting a concert in Vienna of works by Schoenberg (57), Berg (47), and Mahler (†21), Anton Webern (48) is admitted to the Rudolfsstiftung for diagnostic evaluation.  He fainted during the last rehearsal for this performance.  After twelve days, no physical problem is found and he is diagnosed as having a “nervous condition.”  The composer will undergo “cures” at various establishments through the summer.

    21 June 1938 Piano Sonata no.2 “Concord, Mass., 1840-1860” by Charles Ives (63) is performed completely for the first time, in a private setting in Stamford, Connecticut.  See 28 November 1938 and 20 January 1939.

    21 June 1939 Francis Poulenc’s (40) Concerto for organ, strings, and timpani is performed publicly for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris, Maurice Duruflé at the organ.  See 16 December 1938.

    21 June 1941 Incidental music to Lermontov’s play Masquerade by Aram Khachaturian (38) is performed for the first time, in the Vakhtangov Theatre.  See 6 August 1944.

    Le mangeur de rêves, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (49) to a story by Lenormand, is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.

    21 June 1943 Michael Tippett (38), after having been found guilty of failing to comply with the conditions of registration (conscription), is taken to Wormwood Scrubs handcuffed to an army deserter.  His neighbors in prison are a rapist and a murderer.  Years later, Tippett’s mother will describe the day as “her proudest moment” and the composer himself will state that he felt he had “come home.”  See 21 August 1943.

    Violin Sonata by Francis Poulenc (44) is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the keyboard.

    21 June 1946 Vergilii Aeneis, a sinfonia eroica by Gian Francesco Malipiero (64) to his own words after Virgil (tr. Caro), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of RAI.  See 6 January 1958.

    21 June 1956 Three Songs from “The Heart of the Matter” for tenor, horn and piano by Benjamin Britten (42) to words of Edith Sitwell is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh the composer at the piano.

    21 June 1957 Dialogues des Carmélites, an opera by Francis Poulenc (58) to words of Bernanos, is performed for the first time in French, at the Paris Opéra.  See 26 January 1957.

    John George Diefenbaker replaces Louis Stephen St. Laurent as Prime Minister of Canada, leading the first conservative government since 1935.

    21 June 1960 Anon. in Love, six songs for tenor and guitar or orchestra by William Walton (58) to words of that most prolific and mercurial of authors, Anonymous, is performed for the first time, at Shrubland Park Hall, Ipswich.

    21 June 1961 Eight Variations for violin and harpsichord by Charles Wuorinen (23) is performed for the first time, in the School of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary, New York.

    21 June 1965 Three Studies in Fours for percussion by Ross Lee Finney (58) is performed for the first time, in Poznan.

    Lewisohn Stadium Fanfare for brass and percussion by Gian Carlo Menotti (53) is performed for the first time, in Lewisohn Stadium, New York.

    21 June 1969 Symphony no.14 op.135 for soprano, bass, strings, and percussion by Dmitri Shostakovich (62) to words of Garcia Lorca, Apollinaire, Küchelbecker, and Rilke, is performed for the first time, privately in Moscow Conservatory Malyi Hall.  During the performance, musicologist, party functionary, and Shostakovich-tormentor Pavel Ivanovich Apostolov suffers a heart attack.  Many Russians take this to be a sign from heaven.  See 29 September 1969.

    21 June 1972 Parable VI op.117 for organ by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in Fort Worth, Texas.

    21 June 1979 Octet for two flutes/piccolos/clarinets/bass clarinets, two pianos, two violins, viola, and cello by Steve Reich (42) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Hessischer Rundfunk, originating in Frankfurt.

    Anemoessa for chorus and orchestra by Iannis Xenakis (57) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.

    21 June 1980 Four new works by Peter Maxwell Davies (45) are performed for the first time, in Kirkwall, Orkney:  The Yellow-Cake Revue, an anti-nuclear cabaret for singer/reciter and piano to words of the composer, Cinderella, a pantomime for children to words of the composer, Yesnaby Ground for piano, and Farewell to Stromness for piano.  The composer is at the keyboard for all but Cinderella.

    Intradas and Interludes for seven trumpets and percussion by Karel Husa (58) is performed for the first time, at Ohio State University in Columbus.

    Mirror Etudes op.143 for piano by Vincent Persichetti (65) is performed for the first time, in Lawton, Oklahoma.

    21 June 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.

    The Medium, a monodrama for mezzo-soprano solo by Peter Maxwell Davies (46) is performed for the first time, in the Academy Hall, Stromness, Orkney.

    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.

    21 June 1982 Songs of Hoy for chorus, piano, recorders, guitar, and percussion by Peter Maxwell Davies (47) is performed for the first time, in Academy Hall, Stromness, Orkney.

    Summer Fanfare (Echoes of Forgotten Rites) for orchestra by John Corigliano (44) is performed for the first time, in Miami.  Also premiered is the Symphony no.48 “Vision of Andromeda” by Alan Hovhaness (71).

    21 June 1983 Chant des Soleils for chorus, brass, and percussion by Iannis Xenakis (61) to his own words is performed for the first time, simultaneously in several towns of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

    21 June 1984 Transfigured Wind III for flute, chamber orchestra, and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (49) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.

    21 June 1986 Violin Concerto by Peter Maxwell Davies (51) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Panikhida for chorus by John Tavener (42) is performed for the first time, in St. James’s Church, Picadilly.

    Harpsichord Sonata no.9 op.163 by Vincent Persichetti (71) is performed for the first time, on Mt. Desert Island, Maine.

    21 June 1987 New York Counterpoint for clarinet and ensemble by Steve Reich (50) is performed for the first time, at Florida State University in Tallahassee.

    21 June 1988 String Quartet no.5 by William Schuman (77) is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street Y, New York.

    21 June 1990 Dérive II for eleven instruments by Pierre Boulez (65) is performed for the first time, in Milan, conducted by the composer.  See 7 February 1993 and 1 December 2001.

    21 June 1991 Incidental music to two plays by Mackay Brown by Peter Maxwell Davies (56) are performed for the first time, in the Arts Theatre, Kirkwall:  The Road to Colonnus and Witch.

    21 June 1994 La Belle et la Bête, an opera by Philip Glass (57) to his own words after Cocteau, is performed for the first time, in Gibellina, Italy.

    21 June 1995 Calling Hélène by Betsy Jolas (68), an orchestral transcription of a scene from her opera Schliemann, is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.  See 3 May 1995.

    21 June 1997 Petra for seven string players (who also sing) by John Tavener (53) is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.

    Schlussgesang for viola and orchestra op.61 by Alexander Goehr (64) is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.

    21 June 1998 Mrs. Linklater’s Tune for violin by Peter Maxwell Davies (63) is performed for the first time, in Stromness, Orkney.

    The first public performance of Study for Player Piano no.47 by Conlon Nancarrow (†0) takes place in Essen.

    21 June 1999 Songs of Sanday, a cycle for children’s voices and ensemble by Peter Maxwell Davies (64) to words of Thorne, is performed for the first time, in the Arts Theatre, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    21 June 2000 Slave, sidus Polonorum op.72 for chorus, percussion, two pianos, and organ by Henryk Górecki (66) is performed for the first time, in the Garden Church, Hannover.

    Grand Oratorio:  The Meaning of Life for male chorus, castanets, and tambourine by Peter Maxwell Davies (65) to his own words is performed for the first time, in the Albert Hotel, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Alan Hovhaness (Chakmakjian) dies in Seattle, aged 89 years, three months, and 13 days.

    21 June 2002 Incidental music to Plater’s play Barriers by Peter Maxwell Davies (67) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney.

    21 June 2005 Backaskail March and Cross kirk for school string orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (70) is performed for the first time, in the Community Hall, Sanday, Orkney.  See 21 June 2006.

    21 June 2006 Start Point for string ensemble by Peter Maxwell Davies (71) is performed completely for the first time, in Sanday, Orkney.  See 21 June 2005.

    21 June 2007 Pulsations for tape by Pierre Henry (79) is  performed for the first time, in Riga.

    22 June

    22 June 1758 Domine ad adiuvandum in D for soprano, chorus and orchestra by Johann Christian Bach (22) is performed for the first time, in Milan.

    22 June 1763 Etienne-Nicolas Méhul is born in Givet, second of four children born to Jean-François Méhul, the maître d’hôtel to the Count of Montmorency.

    22 June 1788 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (32) dates the score to his Piano Trio K.542 in Vienna.

    22 June 1810 The Clarinet Concerto no.2 by Louis Spohr (26) is performed for the first time, in Frankenhausen.

    22 June 1826 Adina o Il califfo di Bagdad, a farsa by Gioachino Rossini (34) to words of Bevilacqua-Aldobrandini, is performed for the first time, in Teatro São Carlos, Lisbon.  This is the only premiere of a Rossini opera at which the composer is not present.

    22 June 1832 Giuseppe Verdi (18) writes to the Milan Conservatory requesting admission as a paying pupil and sending compositions.

    Felix Mendelssohn (23) departs London to return home to Berlin.  Before he leaves, the London branch of Erard presents him with one of their pianos.  In the last few days he met Nicolò Paganini (49) at a party.

    22 June 1842 Le guérillero, an opéra by Ambroise Thomas (30) to words of Anne, is performed for the first time, in the Paris Opéra.

    22 June 1846 Adolphe Sax patents the saxophone.

    22 June 1847 The fourth child of Robert (37) and Clara (27) Schumann, Emil Schumann, dies at the age of 16 months.

    22 June 1857 Arthur Sullivan (15) is dismissed from the Chapel Royal.  His voice has broken.

    22 June 1859 Le mari à la porte, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (40) to words of Delacour, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.

    22 June 1866 Quintet for piano and strings op.34 by Johannes Brahms (33) is performed for the first time, in Leipzig.

    22 June 1883 Claude Debussy (20) wins the second grand prix de Rome for his setting of the cantata Le Gladiateur.

    22 June 1889 Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov (45) and Alyeksandr Glazunov (23) conduct the Colonne Orchestra in the first of two concerts dedicated to Russian music at the Trocadéro during the Paris Exhibition.

    22 June 1901 Gustav Holst (26) marries Emily Isobel Harrison at Fulham Registrar’s Office.

    22 June 1905 The first movement of the Piano Sonata in f minor by Charles T. Griffes (20) is performed for the first time, in the Beethovensaal, Berlin by the composer.

    22 June 1906 Phantasie in f minor for string quartet by Frank Bridge (27) is performed for the first time, in Bechstein Hall, London.

    22 June 1909 The Wreckers, a lyrical drama by Ethel Smyth (51) to words of Brewster and the composer, in an English translation by Strettell and the composer, is performed for the first time, in His Majesty’s Theatre, London.  See 11 November 1906.

    22 June 1911 Several works by British composers are heard for the first time, at the coronation of King George V of Great Britain in Westminster Abbey:   the Coronation March op.65 and O Hearken Thou op.64 for chorus and orchestra by Edward Elgar (54), the Gloria from the Festal Communion Service op.128 by Charles Villiers Stanford (58), Te Deum in D for chorus and orchestra by Hubert Parry (63), and a revised version of Parry’s coronation anthem I was glad, first heard at the coronation of Edward VII.  See 9 August 1902.

    L’ocell profeta for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (43) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.

    22 June 1916 A song by George Gershwin (17), Making of a Girl, to words of Atteridge, is performed for the first time, as part of the revue The Passing Show of 1916 at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York.

    22 June 1919 The White Peacock, a solo ballet by Charles T. Griffes (34), is performed for the first time, in New York.

    22 June 1920 Sonatina for piano no.6 “super Carmen” by Ferruccio Busoni (54) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London by the composer.

    22 June 1921 Broadcasts of music from the Eiffel Tower begin today.

    22 June 1923 Suite for two pianos op.6 by Dmitri Shostakovich (16) is performed publicly for the first time, in Petrograd by the composer and his sister.

    13 of the 15 songs of Das Marienleben, a song cycle by Paul Hindemith (27) to words of Rilke, are performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.  See 15 October 1923.

    22 June 1926 William Walton’s (24) overture Portsmouth Point is performed for the first time, in the Zürich Tonhalle.

    22 June 1928 Béla Bartók (48) completes his third volume of collected Slovak folk songs.

    22 June 1932 Olivier Messiaen (23) marries the composer and violinist Louise Justine (Claire) Delbos, daughter of a Sorbonne professor, in the church of Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile.

    22 June 1933 Parts of the Dance Suite for orchestra by Aram Khachaturian (30) are performed for the first time, in Bolshoy Hall of Moscow Conservatory.

    22 June 1938 Ernst Krenek’s (37) play with music Karl V, to his own words, is performed for the first time, at the Neue Deutsches Theater, Prague.  Krenek is not in attendance, fearing to cross German territory.  The work was scheduled for performance in Vienna in 1933 but cancelled after rehearsals had begun.  The authorities apparently objected to its nationalistic, Catholic, anti-Nazi subject matter.

    Incidental music to Slater’s play Spain by Benjamin Britten (24) is performed for the first time, in the Mercury Theatre, London.

    22 June 1939 Leonard Bernstein (20) graduates from Harvard University.

    Paul Bunyan, a ballet by William Bergsma (18), is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.

    22 June 1940 Through the efforts of Adrian Boult and the BBC, John Ireland (60) is evacuated from Guernsey to the mainland due to the threat of German invasion.

    22 June 1942 The Symphony no.7 “Leningrad” of Dmitri Shostakovich (35) is performed for the first time outside the Soviet Union, in London.

    Concerto for piano and orchestra by Bruno Maderna (22) is performed for the first time, in Venice.

    22 June 1943 An orchestral arrangement of four dance episodes from Aaron Copland’s (42) ballet Rodeo is performed completely for the first time, in New York.  See 16 October 1942 and 28 May 1943.

    22 June 1949 Nocturne (W41) for piano by Peter Sculthorpe (20) is performed for the first time, in Assembly Hall, Melbourne.

    La naissance des couleurs, a ballet by Arthur Honegger (57) to a story by Klausz and Morax, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    22 June 1955 The Symphony no.1 for alto and orchestra by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (49) to words of Whitman is performed for the first time, in Vienna.  It is a reworking of his Symphonisches Fragment composed in 1936.

    22 June 1958 The Abbot of Drimock, a chamber opera by Thea Musgrave (30) to words of Lindsay after Wilson, is performed for the first time, in Park Lane House, London.

    22 June 1960 Transición I for electronic sounds by Mauricio Kagel (28) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    22 June 1961 Symphony no.3 by Samuel Adler (33) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.

    22 June 1963 Seven Pieces for orchestra by Zoltán Kodály (80) are performed for the first time, in Budapest.

    22 June 1965 Deux nocturnes op.32bis for flute, horn, and piano or harp by Charles Koechlin (†14) is performed publicly for the first time, at Sceaux.  See 23 June 1963.

    22 June 1966 Dos danzas españolas for castanets and orchestra by Joaquín Rodrigo (64) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Pérez Galdós, Las Palmas, Canary Islands.

    22 June 1969 Oben und Unten from Aus dem sieben Tagen by Karlheinz Stockhausen (40) is performed for the first time, in a live broadcast from Amsterdam.  Later, Stockhausen abandons a performance of Stimmung because of the constant insertion of noises from the audience.  After he leaves, members of the audience rush on stage and take over the microphones for political purposes.

    Ellen Taaffe (30) marries Joseph Zwilich.

    22 June 1970 El Cimmarón for speaker, baritone, flute, guitar, and percussion by Hans Werner Henze (43) to words of Barnet, is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

    22 June 1972 Symphony no.3 by Michael Tippett (67) for soprano and orchestra is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.

    Samuel Adler’s (44) sacred opera The Wrestler to words of Stampfer is performed for the first time, in Dallas.

    22 June 1973 Symphony no.2 “Copernican” op.31 for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Henryk Górecki (39) to words of the Psalms and Copernicus is performed for the first time, in Warsaw.

    22 June 1974 Darius Milhaud dies in Geneva, aged 81 years, nine months, and 18 days.

    Ultimos ritos for vocal soloists, five speakers, chorus, brass, orchestra, and tape by John Tavener (30) is performed for the first time, in the Great Church of St. Bavo, Haarlem.

    22 June 1976 A Romance for cello and piano by Frederick Delius (†42) is performed for the first time, in Helsinki, 80 years after it was composed.

    22 June 1983 Into the Labyrinth for tenor and chamber orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (48) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Acrostic Paraphrase for harp by David Del Tredici (46) is performed for the first time, in Tempe, Arizona.

    22 June 1984 Elegy for viola by Benjamin Britten (†7) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings, 54 years after it was composed.

    22 June 1986 Mugung-Dong, an invocation for winds, percussion, and double basses by Isang Yun (68), is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.

    Jimmack the Postie for orchestra by Peter Maxwell Davies (51) is performed for the first time, in Phoenix Cinema, Kirkwall, Orkney conducted by the composer.

    Twelve variations for piano by Benjamin Britten (†9) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings, 55 years after it was composed.

    22 June 1988 Two Songs on German Folk Poems for mezzo-soprano, flute, harpsichord and cello by Sofia Gubaidulina (56) are performed for the first time, in Heidelberg.

    Two Lullabies for two pianos by Benjamin Britten (†11) are performed publicly for the first time, at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh 52 years after they were composed.  See 19 March 1936.

    22 June 1989 Steps for orchestra by Sofia Gubaidulina (57) is performed for the first time in its revised version, in Bad Kissingen.  See 19 December 1990 and 25 March 1993.

    22 June 1992 Concerto for violin and orchestra no.3 by Isang Yun (74) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.

    ONE12 for a lecturer by John Cage (79) is performed for the first time, in Perugini, Italy by the composer.

    22 June 1995 Historia von D. Johann Faustein, an opera by Alfred Schnittke (60) to words of Morgener and the composer after Spies, is performed for the first time, in the Hamburg Staatsoper.

    22 June 1996 I am the True Vine for chorus by Arvo Pärt (61) is performed for the first time, in Norwich Cathedral.

    Symphony no.6 by Peter Maxwell Davies (61) is performed for the first time, in the Phoenix Cinema, Kirkwall, Orkney the composer conducting.

    22 June 1997 The Magic Fountain, a lyric drama by Frederick Delius (†63) to his own words, is staged for the first time, at the Kiel Opernhaus, 102 years after it was composed.  See 20 November 1977.

    Glosse for string quartet by Luciano Berio (71) is performed for the first time, in Teatro Municipale Valli, Reggio Emilia.

    22 June 2001 Concerto grosso for three cellos and strings by Krzysztof Penderecki (67) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.

    Sonata for ten instruments by Paul Hindemith (†37) is performed for the first time, in Heimbach, 84 years after it was composed.

    22 June 2003 Seven Skies of Winter for flute/alto flute, oboe, horn, violin, viola, bassoon, and double bass by Peter Maxwell Davies (68) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    22 June 2004 Seven Skies of Winter for five instruments by Peter Maxwell Davies (69) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus’ Cathedral, Orkney.

    22 June 2008 Sonata for violin and piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (73) is performed for the first time, in Stromness Town Hall, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    An orchestral suite from John Harbison’s (69) opera The Great Gatsby is performed for the first time, in Aspen, Colorado.

    22 June 2010 Nonesuch Records releases Homeland by Laurie Anderson (63).

    22 June 2011 Nähe fern 1 for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (59) is performed for the first time, in Lucerne.

    23 June

    23 June 1755 Giovanni Battista Sammartini (54) marries his second wife, Rosalinda Acquanio, aged 17, in Milan.

    23 June 1758 William Boyce (46) is named organist to the Chapel Royal.

    23 June 1768 Prepare, prepare your songs of praise!, an ode by William Boyce (56) to words of Whitehead, is performed for the first time, in honor of the birthday of King George III.  The King’s birthday is actually 4 June, but this performance was postponed because of the death of the King’s sister, Princess Louisa Anne, on 13 May.

    23 June 1772 I rovinati, a comedy by Florian Leopold Gassmann (43) to words of Giovanni Gastone Boccherini, is performed for the first time, in the Burgtheater, Vienna.

    23 June 1791 Ave verum corpus K.618 for chorus, strings and continuo by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (35) is performed for the first time, in Baden near Vienna.

    23 June 1804 Although Franz Joseph Haydn (72) has not officially resigned as kapellmeister, Prince Nicholas Esterházy rearranges the duties of his musical employees to allow for Haydn’s absence.  Most of his responsibilities are taken up by Vice-Kapellmeister Johann Nepomuk Fuchs and Konzertmeister Johann Nepomuk Hummel (25).  He further commands that “the entire chapel, with male and female singers, will, according to the order that already exists, hold a weekly rehearsal every Thursday morning and are to appear, every individual without exception, in uniform in service at the Castle at 10:30 before my presence or that of my wife and children.” (Heartz2009, 665)

    23 June 1820 The Western Minstrel is copyrighted by its author, Anton Philipp Heinrich (39).

    23 June 1827 Two songs by Franz Schubert (30) are published in the Zeitschrift für Kunst, Vienna:  Trost im Liede D.546 to words of Schober, and the second setting of Wandrers Nachtlied D.756 to words of Goethe.

    23 June 1840 Hans Sachs, a Fest-Oper mit Tanz by Albert Lortzing (38) to words of Reger after Deinhardstein, is performed for the first time, in Leipzig Stadttheater.

    23 June 1844 Franz Liszt (32) appears as a pianist for the last time in Paris, at the Conservatoire.

    23 June 1848 Richard Wagner (35) inaugurates the voluminous Wagner-Liszt (36) correspondence, and a very important friendship.  He asks Liszt for money.

    23 June 1876 Gustav Mahler (15) wins first prize in the piano competition at the Conservatorium der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, in Vienna.  He plays a sonata by Franz Schubert (†47).

    23 June 1879 While visiting Milan, Arrigo Boito (37) presents Giuseppe Verdi (65) with a scenario for Otello.

    23 June 1883 Zwei Gesänge für Gemischten Chor by Horatio Parker (19) are performed for the first time, in Munich.

    Isaac Albéniz (23) marries his piano student Rosina Jordana Lagarriga, daughter of a prominent businessman, in the church of Mare de Déu de la Mercè, Barcelona.

    Le Gladiateur, Claude Debussy’s (20) prix de Rome entry and winner of the first Second Grand Prix, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire.

    23 June 1884 Incidental music to von Scheffel’s play Der Trompeter von Säkkingen by Gustav Mahler (23) is performed for the first time, in Kassel.

    23 June 1888 Scherzo for orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (19) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.

    23 June 1901 The symphonic diptych Vivre Aimer, by Ernest Bloch (20) is performed for the first time, in Geneva.

    23 June 1913 Three Moods of the Sea for solo voice and orchestra by Ethel Smyth (55) to words of Symons, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.

    23 June 1918 Alban Berg (33) considers this his greatest day.  He may now address Arnold Schoenberg (43) as “du.”

    23 June 1919 The Enchanted Fiddle for voice and piano by Arnold Bax (35) to words of the composer is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London.

    23 June 1925 Love Songs of Hafiz for solo voice and orchestra by Karol Szymanowski (42), words translated by Bethge, is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    23 June 1926 Anton Webern's (42) Five Pieces for orchestra op.10 is performed for the first time, in the Zürich Tonhalle during the fourth ISCM festival.  Aaron Copland (25) is in the audience.  He writes, “The orchestral sonorities he manages to get are magical, nothing less.”

    23 June 1929 Henri Léon Marie Thérèse Pousseur is born in Malmédy, Belgium.

    23 June 1930 Kurt Weill’s (30) school opera Der Jasager, to words of Brecht, after a Noh drama (translated into English by Waley and into German by Hauptmann), is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Berlin Radio.

    23 June 1931 Amphion, a ballet melodrama by Arthur Honegger (39) to a scenario by Valéry, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    23 June 1933 Invocação à cruz for chorus by Heitor Villa-Lobos (46) to words of Estrada, is performed for the first time, conducted by the composer.

    23 June 1936 The second movement of The Hour glass for piano by Frank Bridge (57) is performed for the first time.

    A Sinfonietta for orchestra by David Diamond (20) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.

    23 June 1937 George Gershwin (38) enters Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles for four days of diagnostic neurological tests.  A spinal tap, which could reveal the presence of a brain tumor, is rejected by Gershwin as too painful and time consuming.

    23 June 1940 Semyon Kotko op.81, an opera by Sergey Prokofiev (49) to words of Katayev and the composer, is performed for the first time, in the Stanislavsky Theatre, Moscow.  See 27 December 1943.

    23 June 1943 Incidental music to Kron’s play Detailed Reconaissance by Aram Khachaturian (40) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.

    Prelude and Fugue for strings op.29 by Benjamin Britten (29) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.

    23 June 1944 Trio for violin, viola, and cello by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (26) is performed for the first time, at Cologne University.

    23 June 1947 The United States government sues the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers in a New York court for anti-trust violations.  It charges that ASCAP is attempting to create a monopoly over music performing rights.

    23 June 1950 Bitter Springs, a film with music by Ralph Vaughan Williams (77), is shown for the first time, in Adelaide, South Australia.

    An orchestral suite from the ballet Jack Pudding by Hans Werner Henze (23) is performed for the first time, in Heidelberg.  See 30 December 1950.

    Cantata no.2 by Anton Webern (†4) to words of Jone is performed for the first time, in Brussels.

    23 June 1951 Three Shakespeare Songs for chorus by Ralph Vaughan Williams (78) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.

    23 June 1953 Music for Piano 4-19 by John Cage (40) is performed for the first time, at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, to a dance by Merce Cunningham.

    23 June 1960 Suite on the Frescoes of Piero della Francesca by Bohuslav Martinu (†0) is performed for the first time, in Granada, Spain.

    23 June 1962 Mainzer Umzug for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Paul Hindemith (66) to words of Zuckmayer, is performed for the first time, at the Städtisches Theater, Mainz.

    Electronic Fanfare for percussion, recorder, and electronically generated sounds by Otto Luening (62) and Halim El-Dabh is performed for the first time, in Spoleto.

    23 June 1963 A revised version of Antithèse for actor, electronic and environmental sounds by Mauricio Kagel (31) is performed for the first time, in Munich.  See 20 March 1963 and 1 April 1966.

    Deux nocturnes op.32bis for flute, horn and piano or harp by Charles Koechlin (†12) is performed for the first time, privately, at the home of M. Lerique, Verrières-le-Buisson.  See 22 June 1965.

    23 June 1964 Fantasy for organ, brass, and timpani by Roy Harris (66) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia, the composer conducting.

    23 June 1968 A Piano Concerto by Robert Ward (50) is performed for the first time, in Columbia, Maryland.

    23 June 1969 Tit for Tat, a cycle for voice and piano by Benjamin Britten (55) to words of de la Mare, is performed for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh by John Shirley-Quirk and the composer.

    Cauda Pavonis for piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (34) after Schubert is performed for the first time, in the Little Theatre, Bath by the composer.

    23 June 1972 Exotica for non-European instruments by Mauricio Kagel (40) is performed for the first time, in the Haus der Kunst, Munich as part of the Games of the XX Olympiad.

    Parable VII op.119 for harp by Vincent Persichetti (57) is performed for the first time, in San Diego, California.

    23 June 1976 The Golden Pavilion, an opera by Toshiro Mayuzumi (47) to words of Henneberg after Mishima, is performed for the first time, at the Deutsche Oper, Berlin.

    23 June 1982 Organ Sonata by Peter Maxwell Davies (47) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Harpsichord Sonata no.2 op.146 by Vincent Persichetti (67) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.

    23 June 1984 Agnus Dei for two sopranos, viola, and cello by Peter Maxwell Davies (49) is performed for the first time, at the Almeida Theatre, London.

    23 June 1985 Piano Trio by Mauricio Kagel (53) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.

    23 June 1986 House of Winter for chorus and vocal sextet by Peter Maxwell Davies (51) is performed for the first time, in East Church, Kirkwall, Orkney.

    Agnus Dei for two sopranos, viola, and cello by Peter Maxwell Davies (51) is performed for the first time, in Union Chapel, Islington, London.

    23 June 1988 An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge, a radio opera by Thea Musgrave (60) to her own words after Bierce, is staged for the first time, in Wilde Theatre, Bracknell.  See 14 September 1982.

    23 June 1989 Two works by Henri Pousseur are performed for the first time, in London on his 60th birthday:  Mnémosyne (doublement) obstinée for string quartet with female voice ad lib, and Flexions hermétiques pour Baudelaire.

    23 June 1990 Sing, Ariel for mezzo-soprano, two sopranos, tenor saxophone, trumpet, piano, violin, and double bass by Alexander Goehr (57) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.

    23 June 1995 Of Challenge and of Love, a cycle for voice and piano by Elliott Carter (86) to words of Hollander, is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh.

    23 June 1997 Excerpts from Three Tales for five singers and ten players with video projections by Steve Reich (60) are performed for the first time, in Bonn State Opera.  The videos are by Reich’s wife, Beryl Korot.  See 12 May 2002.

    A Birthday Card for Hans for mezzo-soprano and ensemble by Peter Maxwell Davies (62) to words of da Ponte is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney.  It was composed to celebrate the 70th birthday of Hans Werner Henze (70).

    23 June 1999 Fragment no.2 for string quartet by Elliott Carter (90) is performed for the first time, in the Cuvilliestheater, Munich.  Also premiered is Fetzen for string quartet by Wolfgang Rihm (47).

    Litany--for a ruined chapel between sheep and shore for trumpet by Peter Maxwell Davies (64) is performed completely for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.  See 28 March 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.

    23 June 2001 Lux in Tenebris for double bass by Peter Maxwell Davies (66) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Church, Birsay, Orkney.

    23 June 2002 String Quartet no.12 by Wolfgang Rihm (50) is performed for the first time, in Reggio Emilia.

    23 June 2003 In Praise of Bach for organ by Samuel Adler (75) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.

    23 June 2007 Concerto no.2 for piano and computer by John Melby (65) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    23 June 2008 String Trio by Peter Maxwell Davies (73) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.

    A Song for Phil for mezzo-soprano and violin by Richard Wernick (74) is performed for the first time, in Aspen, Colorado.

    24 June

    24 June 1724 Johann Theile is buried in Naumburg, 77 years, ten months, and 26 days after his birth.

    24 June 1764 Giovanni Paisiello’s (24) dramma giocoso I francesi brillanti to words of Mililotti is performed for the first time, at the Teatro Marsigli-Rossi, Bologna.  It is not well received.

    24 June 1767 Der Herr liebet die Thore for chorus and strings by Johannes Herbst (31) to words from the Psalms is performed for the first time.

    24 June 1768 Gib mir dein Herz for chorus and strings by Johannes Herbst (32) is performed for the first time.

    24 June 1779 A second version of Demetrio, a dramma per musica by Giovanni Paisiello (39) to words of Metastasio, is performed for the first time, in Tsarskoye Selo.

    24 June 1784 L’épreuve villageoise, an opéra bouffon by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (43) to words of Desforges, is preformed for the first time, at the Comédie-Italienne, Paris.

    24 June 1806 The Bologna Accademia Filarmonica admits Gioachino Rossini (14) without charge, due to his excellent singing.

    24 June 1814 Un lieto brindisi, a cantata campestre by Ludwig van Beethoven (43) to words of Bondi, is performed for the first time, in Vienna, to honor the name day of Giovanni Malfatti.

    24 June 1815 A dead child is removed from the womb of Angiolina Cavanna.  Medical evidence shows that Nicolò Paganini (32) could not be the father.

    24 June 1835 César Franck (12) begins lessons in composition with Anton Reicha in Paris.

    24 June 1837 Felix Mendelssohn (28) writes to his mother from Frankfurt that it would not be seemly for his sister Fanny (31) to publish her compositions.  It might look as if that were more important than her role as a wife and mother.

    24 June 1839 Robert Schumann (29) contacts Wilhelm Einert, a Leipzig attorney, to begin legal proceedings to marry Clara Wieck (19) without her father’s consent.

    24 June 1854 Alfonso und Estrella D.732, an opera by Franz Schubert (†25) to words of Schober, is performed for the first time, in Weimar conducted by Franz Liszt (42) on the birthday of Grand Duke Carl Alexander.  Also premiered by Liszt is the Solemn Overture for chorus, organ, and orchestra by Anton Rubinstein (24).  The composer received the commission six days ago.

    24 June 1865 Samuel Sebastian Wesley (54) enters upon duties as organist at Gloucester Cathedral.

    24 June 1872 The Orchesterschule opens in Weimar to train orchestral musicians, mostly with new music.

    24 June 1876 Isaac Albéniz (16) leaves the Leipzig Conservatory after only two-and-a-half months of study.

    24 June 1884 1874-1884 for men’s chorus by Arthur Foote (31) to words of Richards, is performed for the first time, for the reunion of the Harvard College class of 1874.

    24 June 1886 Johann Strauss, Jr. (60) is granted citizenship of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in order to marry his mistress, Adèle Deutsch Strauss (no relation).

    24 June 1900 Variazioni sinfoniche for orchestra by Ottorino Respighi (20) is performed for the first time, in Bologna.

    24 June 1901 Prelude, Chorale, and Fugue for orchestra by Ottorino Respighi (21) is performed for the first time, at the Rossini Music School, Bologna.  It is a final examination for Respighi, who conducts.

    Harry Partch is born in Oakland, California, the third of three children born to Virgil Franklin Partch, a postal clerk and Jennie Childers, both former missionaries in China.

    24 June 1908 Funeral services for Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov are given in the church of the St. Petersburg Conservatory.  The body of the composer is interred in the cemetery of the Novodyevichi Monastery.  Igor Stravinsky (26) will later remember that it was “one of the unhappiest days of my life.”

    24 June 1912 Ruggero Leoncavallo’s (55) operetta La reginetta della rose, to words of Forzano, is performed for the first time, at the Teatro Costanzi, Rome and the Politeama Giacosa, Naples.

    In a recital of the works of Claude Debussy (49) by several young pianists in Mexico City, Carlos Chávez (13) plays Clair de lune.

    24 June 1915 Roger Sessions (18) graduates from Harvard University, although he will not finish his requirements for a Bachelor of Arts until next year.

    24 June 1916 Carl Nielsen’s (51) contribution to Prologue to the Shakespeare Memorial Celebrations by Rode is performed for the first time, at Elsinore.

    24 June 1918 Excerpts from Erik Satie’s (52) drame symphonique Socrate, to words of Plato translated by Cousin, are performed at the home of soprano Jane Bathori in Paris.  See 3 April 1918 and 14 February 1920.

    24 June 1919 Les soirées de Petrograde op.55, a cycle for voice and piano by Darius Milhaud (26) to words of Chalupt, is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    24 June 1923 String Quartet no.1 op.8 by Kurt Weill (23) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.

    24 June 1929 Show Girl, a musical comedy with book by McGuire and McEvoy, lyrics by Kahn and Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin (30), is performed for the first time in Boston.  See 24 June 1929.

    24 June 1930 Kurt Weill’s (30) school opera Der Jasager, to words of Brecht, after a Noh drama (translated into English by Waley and into German by Hauptmann), is staged for the first time, in Berlin.

    24 June 1934 The ashes of the earthly remains of Gustav Holst are interred in the north transept of Chichester Cathedral.  Music of Weelkes (†310), Vaughan Williams, and Holst is conducted by his longtime friend, Ralph Vaughan Williams (61).

    Concerto in One Movement for piano and orchestra by Florence Price (47) is performed for the first time, at the 67th commencement exercises of the Chicago Musical College, the composer at the keyboard.

    24 June 1935 Die schweigsame Frau, a komische opera by Richard Strauss (71) to words of Zweig after Jonson, is performed for the first time, in the Dresden Staatsoper.  It is a success with the audience, but neither Hitler nor Goebbels, nor any high ranking party or government official attends.  The librettist is Jewish.

    Terry Mitchell Riley is born in Colfax, California.

    A roseira for piccolo, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and B flat contrabass saxophone by Heitor Villa-Lobos (48) is performed for the first time, in Rio de Janeiro.

    24 June 1937 Deux marches et un intermède for chamber orchestra by Francis Poulenc (38) is performed for the first time, at a party given by Duke François d’Harcourt at the Paris Exposition Universelle.  Other numbers are added by Georges Auric.

    24 June 1941 At a concert in the Théâtre des Mathurins celebrating the return of the composer to Paris from a prisoner-of-war camp, Quatuor pour la fin du temps by Olivier Messiaen (32) is given its Paris premiere.  The composer is at the piano and the cellist of 15 January, Étienne Pasquier, also performs.  Turning pages for Messiaen is one of his students, Yvonne Loriod.  See 15 January 1941.

    24 June 1942 May for unison chorus and piano by Benjamin Britten (28) to anonymous words, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC Home Service.

    24 June 1943 Symphony no.5 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (70) is performed for the first time, at the Royal Albert Hall, London under the baton of the composer.

    24 June 1946 Harawi:  chant d’amour et de la mort for soprano and piano by Olivier Messiaen (37) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Mâcon the composer at the keyboard.

    Due liriche di Anacreonte for soprano and four instruments by Luigi Dallapiccola (42) is performed for the first time, in Brussels.  See 13 January 1949.

    24 June 1948 Oliver Twist, a film with music by Arnold Bax (64), is shown for the first time, in the Odeon Theatre, Marble Arch, London.  When the film is shown in Berlin next February, the showing is halted by Polish Jews who claim the character of Fagin is anti-Semitic.  See 20 February 1949.

    24 June 1955 New Prince, New Pomp for soprano and chorus, the fourth movement of the Christmas suite Christ’s Nativity by Benjamin Britten (41), is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church.  See 14 June 1991.

    24 June 1958 Impromptu for orchestra by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (40) is performed for the first time, in Cologne, directed by the composer.

    The Goddess, a film with music by Virgil Thomson (61), is shown for the first time, in New York.

    24 June 1962 The editor of the New York Herald Tribune publishes a telegram he recently received from Igor Stravinsky (80).  “The only blight on my eightieth birthday is the realization my age will probably keep me from celebrating the funeral of your senile music columnist.”

    24 June 1963 Psalm 150 op.67 for children’s choir and instruments by Benjamin Britten (49) is performed publicly for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh conducted by the composer.  See 29 July 1962.

    24 June 1965 Songs and Proverbs of William Blake op.74, a cycle for voice and piano by Benjamin Britten (51) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church, by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and the composer.  Also premiered is Rhapsody for two violins and viola by Frank Bridge (†24), 37 years after it was composed.

    24 June 1969 Suite for harp op.83 by Benjamin Britten (55) is performed completely for the first time, in Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh.  See 1 June 1969.

    24 June 1971 Cassiopeia for percussion and orchestra by Toru Takemitsu (40) is performed for the first time, in a studio recording in Tokyo.  See 8 July 1971.

    24 June 1972 A French court orders Olivier Messiaen (63) to pay FF20,000 compensation to the choreographer Hubert Devillez.  Messiaen and Devillez had worked together briefly on a scenario for a ballet to Messiaen’s Turangalîla.  When a ballet on the music was staged by Roland Petit in 1968, Devillez sued.

    24 June 1976 Triptych for organ by Gunther Schuller (50) is performed for the first time, in Old West Church, Boston.

    Sky Music for harp by Ned Rorem (52) is performed for the first time, at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

    24 June 1984 Schattenstück for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (32) is performed for the first time, in Karlsruhe.

    24 June 1988 Stroll for piano flute, cello, marimba, and tape by Paul Lansky (44) is performed for the first time, in Sydney, Australia.

    String Quartet 1987 by Gottfried Michael Koenig (61) is performed for the first time, in Sermoneta.

    24 June 1989 William Schuman’s (78) opera A Question of Taste to words of McClatchy after Dahl is performed for the first time, in Cooperstown, New York.

    24 June 1990 Knephas for chorus by Iannis Xenakis (68) is performed for the first time, in London.

    24 June 1991 Meditation on the Light for counter tenor, guitar, and handbells by John Tavener (47) is performed for the first time, at Spitalfields.

    24 June 1994 People Your Dreams for mezzo-soprano, flute, clarinet, harp, and string quartet by Jonathan Lloyd (45) to words of Julius Caesar and the composer is performed for the first time, in St. Michael’s Church, Beccles.

    Litany:  Prayers of St. John Chrysostom for Each Hour of the Day and Night for soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (58) is performed for the first time, in Eugene, Oregon.

    24 June 1995 Violin Concerto no.2 “Metmorphoses” by Krzysztof Penderecki (61) is performed for the first time, in Leipzig.

    A Whitman Triptych for mezzo-soprano and orchestra by William Bolcom (57) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.

    24 June 1996 Port Arthur:  In Memoriam for oboe or trumpet and strings by Peter Sculthorpe (67) is performed for the first time, in Government House, Hobart, Tasmania.

    24 June 2001 The Sonata for violin alone op.11/6 by Paul Hindemith (†37) is performed completely for the first time, in Heimbach, 83 years after it was composed.

    24 June 2002 Beatitudines for chorus and organ by Arvo Pärt (66) is performed for the first time, in the Church of San Pietro Martire, Monza.

    Six Sanday Tunes for children’s fiddle group by Peter Maxwell Davies (67) is performed for the first time, in the Community Hall, Sanday, Orkney.

    Galileo Galilei, an opera by Philip Glass (65) to words of Mary and Arnold Weinstein, is performed for the first time, in Chicago.

    24 June 2004 When in Jordan for chorus by John Tavener (60) is performed for the first time, in Rochester Cathedral.

    25 June

    25 June 1522 Franchinus Gaffurius dies in Milan, aged 71 years, five months and eleven days.

    25 June 1755 Le cacciatrici, a festa teatrale by Georg Christoph Wagenseil (40) to words of Durazzo, is performed for the first time, at the Laxenburg Palace, near Vienna.

    25 June 1767 2100  Georg Philipp Telemann dies at his house in Hamburg of a “severe chest sickness”, aged 86 years, three months and eleven days.

    25 June 1774 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (18) dates his Missa brevis K.192 in Salzburg.

    25 June 1786 John Antes (46) marries Susannah Crabtree in Calverly, England.

    25 June 1788 An advertisement appears in the Weiner Zeitung announcing that the publication of three string quintets (K.406, 515, 516) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (32) will be postponed from 1 July 1788 to 1 January 1789.  The sale of subscriptions has been poor.

    25 June 1789 Giovanni Paisiello’s (49) commedia in prose ed in verso per musica Nina, o sia La pazza per amore to words of Carpani after Mersollier des Vivetières, is performed for the first time, at Teatro San Leucio, Caserta.

    25 June 1796 Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf’s (56) singspiel Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor to words of Römer and the composer after Shakespeare is performed for the first time, in the Herzogliches Hoftheater, Oels.

    25 June 1797 Artemisia regina di Caria, a dramma serio per musica by Domenico Cimarosa (47) to words of Marchesini, is performed for the first time, in Teatro San Carlo, Naples.  This is a royal commission for the wedding of Francesco Borbone, Prince of Naples to Maria Ferdinando, Archduchess of Austria.  King Ferdinando, unhappy with the opera but reluctant to act against a popular composer, places the theatre director and six of his staff in prison for 24 hours.

    25 June 1799 As Beethoven’s (28) good friend Karl Amenda is leaving Vienna to return to his native Courland (Latvia), the composer gives him a copy of a string quartet “as a small memorial of our friendship.”  It will be published as the first of the op.18.

    25 June 1805 Concerto for Organ no.3 by William Crotch (29) is performed for the first time, in Oxford.

    25 June 1806 Gabrielle d’Estrées, ou Les amours d’Henri IV, an opéra by Étienne Nicolas Méhul (43) to words of Saint-Just, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.  It is popular, perhaps because of the similarity of Henri IV to Napoléon, but will be suspended after six performances.  The reason is unknown, although Saint-Just suspects government interference.

    25 June 1821 Konzertstück J.282 for piano and orchestra by Carl Maria von Weber (34) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.  During this program, Weber accompanies the renowned French violinist Alexandre Boucher in his Variations on a Norwegian Air, but after beginning, Boucher motions Weber to stop playing and he takes off into a lengthy and bizarre solo flight.  Unable to get back to the original piece, he drops his violin, embraces Weber and shouts “Ah grand maître! que j'aime, que j'admire!”

    25 June 1824 Two nurses who have attended Antonio Salieri (73) since the winter of 1823 sign a declaration that at no time did their patient confess to killing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (†32).

    25 June 1828 Franz Schubert’s (31) Die Winterreise D.911 is performed in Berlin to derisive reviews.

    25 June 1840 Felix Mendelssohn (31) conducts music for the Leipzig Festival commemorating the 400th anniversary of the invention of the printing press.  Mendelssohn, who was commissioned to compose music for the festival, directs the premieres of his Symphony no.2 “Lobgesang” for solo voices, chorus, organ and orchestra, and the Festgesang for male chorus to words of Prölss.  The second section of this last work will later be adapted as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

    25 June 1844 Variations in B flat op.83a for piano duet by Felix Mendelssohn (35) is performed for the first time, in London.

    25 June 1848 The final section of Scenes from Goethe’s Faust for solo voices, chorus and orchestra by Robert Schumann (38) is performed for the first time, in a private performance directed by the composer.

    25 June 1850 Genoveva, an opera by Robert Schumann (40) to words of Reinick after Tieck and Hebbel, is performed for the first time, in Leipzig, directed by the composer.  The work is a moderate success with the audience.

    Wiener Garnison-Marsch op.77 by Johann Strauss (24) is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    25 June 1853 A performance of Benvenuto Cellini in an Italian translation conducted by Hector Berlioz (49) at Covent Garden before Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and King Georg V and Queen Marie of Hannover is hissed from beginning to end by a group opposed to foreign composers and musicians in what is considered an Italian house.  Berlioz cancels a performance scheduled for tomorrow.

    25 June 1855 Before Richard Wagner’s (42) last concert in London, Hector Berlioz (51) dines with him.  Afterwards they retire to Wagner’s lodgings and drink together until 03:00.  It is the third time in two weeks that they have been together and they seem to part great friends, with promises to exchange future scores.

    25 June 1857 John Knowles Paine (18) makes his first public appearance as organist, in Portland, Maine.

    25 June 1858 Hamlet, a symphonic poem by Franz Liszt (46) is performed for the first time, for a private performance of Shakespeare’s play in Weimar.  See 2 July 1876.

    25 June 1860 Gustave Charpentier is born in Dieuze, Moselle, 80 km west of Strasbourg, the son of a baker.

    25 June 1861 A setting of Psalm 18 for male chorus and orchestra by Franz Liszt (49) is performed for the first time, in Weimar.

    25 June 1872 Hubert Parry (24) marries Elizabeth Maude Herbert, the daughter of the 1st Baron Herbert of Lea and granddaughter of the 11th Earl of Pembroke, in St.Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge.  See 20 June 1870.

    25 June 1875 Hoch Österreich! op.371, a march by Johann Strauss (49), is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    25 June 1882 Horatio Parker (18) plays the organ for the last time in his position at St. John’s Church in Roxbury.  He is leaving shortly for study in Europe.

    25 June 1886 When an Italian violinist named Superti is invited to conduct Aida in Rio de Janeiro, the audience hisses him off the conductor’s stand.  Frantic, the management asks a young member of the cello section to fill in.  The young man, Arturo Toscanini, is a compromise for the warring Brazilian and Italian factions among the musicians.

    25 June 1887 The Grand Prix de Rome is won by Gustave Charpentier on his 27th birthday.

    25 June 1900 The Last Post op.75 for chorus and orchestra by Charles Villiers Stanford (47) to words of Henley is performed for the first time, in Buckingham Palace.  See 11 September 1900.

    25 June 1903 Jack Tar, a march by John Philip Sousa (48), is performed for the first time, by five massed bands and the Queen’s Hall orchestra, before the royal couple and the Prince and Princess of Wales in Albert Hall, London.  Audience members wave little Union Jacks.

    25 June 1908 Claude Champagne (17) receives a senior level diploma in piano from the Dominion College of Music in Montreal.

    25 June 1909 Claude Champagne (18) receives a diploma with honors in piano from the National Conservatory of Montreal.

    25 June 1910 The Firebird, a ballet by Igor Stravinsky (28) to a scenario by Fokin, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.  After the performance, Claude Debussy (47) is brought on stage to meet the young composer and compliments him warmly.

    25 June 1912 Prelude to Adonais for orchestra by Arnold Bax (28)  is performed for the first time, in the Haymarket Theatre, London.  On the same bill is the premiere of Proserpina, a ballet by Hubert Parry (64) to a story by Shelley.

    25 June 1913 As he is departing Toronto for a summer church organist job in Murray Bay, Quebec, Ernest MacMillan (19) tells Elsie Keith of his long standing love for her.  She reciprocates and they consider themselves engaged.

    25 June 1920 After months of official investigation and hearings, Zoltán Kodály (37) is cleared of any charges of misconduct as deputy director of the National Academy of Music during the Republic of the Councils in Hungary.  He is demoted to professor and given a leave of absence during the first term of the academic year 1920-1921.

    25 June 1923 El retablo de maese Pedro, a puppet opera by Manuel de Falla (46) to his own words after Cervantes, is staged for the first time, privately, at the home of Princesse Edmond de Polignac, Paris.  Present is Falla’s friend, Igor Stravinsky (41) as well as Francis Poulenc (24), Darius Milhaud (30), Pablo Picasso and Paul Valéry.  The audience calls for an encore but the musicians refuse to perform it since the Princesse did not invite them to the dinner before the concert.  See 23 March 1923 and 24 October 1924.

    25 June 1925 Incidental music to Bergstedt’s play Ebbe Skammelsen by Carl Nielsen (60) is performed for the first time, in Copenhagen.

    25 June 1935 Tu crois au beau soleil op.147bis for winds by Charles Koechlin (67) is performed for the first time, in Jardin des Plantes, Paris.

    Dance for voice and piano by Samuel Barber (25) to words of Stephens is performed for the first time, in London.

    25 June 1939 The third episode of Helweg’s (after White) play The Sword in the Stone entitled “Wart and the Hawks” with music by Benjamin Britten (25) is broadcast for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC.

    25 June 1940 In Lewisohn Stadium, New York, two works by American composers are performed for the first time:  And They Lynched Him on a Tree, a cantata by William Grant Still (45) to words of Chapin, and Challenge 1940 for baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Roy Harris (42).

    25 June 1941 Irving Fine (26) marries Verna Rudnick, from a wealthy family and a recent graduate of Wellesley College, at the Kenmore Hotel in Boston.

    25 June 1952 Ouverture de l’homme tel for orchestra by Heitor Villa-Lobos (65) is performed for the first time, in Lisbon, conducted by the composer.

    25 June 1955 Incidental music to de Musset’s play Lorenzaccio by Witold Lutoslawski (42) is performed for the first time, in Teatr Polski, Warsaw.

    25 June 1956 Darius Milhaud’s (63) Piano Concerto no.5 is performed for the first time, at Lewisohn Stadium, New York.

    25 June 1963 La Noire à soixante for tape by Pierre Henry (35) is performed for the first time, at the Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, Paris.

    Darius Milhaud’s (70) orchestral retort A Frenchman in New York is performed for the first time, in Boston.

    25 June 1969 Solita for flute and optional music box by Peter Maxwell Davies (34) is performed for the first time, in Lyons Hall of York University.

    25 June 1970 Voci destroying Muros for two sopranos, two female speakers, women’s chorus, and orchestra by Luigi Nono (46) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.

    The River, a ballet by Duke Ellington (71) to a choreography by Alvin Ailey, is performed for the first time, at the New York State Theatre.

    25 June 1977 William Walton’s (75) Prelude for orchestra is performed for the first time, in St. John’s, Smith Square, London as part of the celebrations surrounding Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee.

    Pulse Field, a ballet by Harrison Birtwistle (42) to a choreography of Flier, is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings.

    Frühlingsanbruch, a song for chorus by Frederick Delius (†43) to words of Björnson, is performed for the first time, in Nottingham.

    25 June 1980 A Madrigal Opera, by Philip Glass (43) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam, under the title Attaca.

    25 June 1982 Memento, a concerto for two pianos and orchestra by Michael Colgrass (50), is performed for the first time, in Miami.

    25 June 1983 Alberto Evaristo Ginastera dies in Geneva, aged 67 years, two months, and 14 days.

    Sinfonietta for orchestra by Arnold Bax (†29) is performed for the first time, in the BBC Concert Hall, Cardiff, 51 years after it was composed, during the centennial of the composer’s birth.

    25 June 1984 The Lord’s Prayer for chorus and organ by Thea Musgrave (56) is performed for the first time, in St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco.

    25 June 1986 Three works by Jonathan Lloyd (37) are performed for the first time, in the Almeida Theatre, London:  Almeida Dances for clarinet/alto saxophone, percussion, piano, and string quartet, Feuding Fiddles for two violins, and String Quartet no.1 “Of Time and Motion.”

    Concerto for saxophone quartet and orchestra by Samuel Adler (58) is performed for the first time, in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.

    25 June 1990 Dangerous Errand, a music theatre piece by Peter Maxwell Davies (55), is performed for the first time, in Papdale Primary School, Kirkwall.

    25 June 1991 The Spider’s Revenge, a music theatre by Peter Maxwell Davies (56), is performed for the first time, in the Orkney Arts Theatre, Kirkwall.

    25 June 1993 Antigone, a music drama by Ton de Leeuw (66) to his own words after Sophocles, is performed for the first time, in the Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam.

    Musique pour Xavier for clarinet, tenor saxophone, and violin by Betsy Jolas (66) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    25 June 1994 The Amazing Flight, a “mechanical ballet” by Bohuslav Martinu (†34), is staged for the first time, in Policka, 67 years after it was composed.  See 8 January 1980.

    25 June 1998 The US Supreme Court rules 8-1 that the federal government may take “decency standards” into account when awarding grants to artists.

    ...depart in peace... for soprano and strings by John Tavener (54) to words from the Bible, is performed for the first time, in the Hellenic Center, London.

    25 June 2000 Music for recorders, marimbaphone, and strings by Krzysztof Penderecki (66) is performed for the first time, in Hannover.

    26 June

    26 June 1747 Leopold Anton Kozeluch is born in Velvary.

    26 June 1786 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (30) dates the score to his Horn Concerto K.495 in Vienna.

    26 June 1788 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (32) dates the score to his Symphony no.39 K.543, Piano Sonata K.545, and his String Quartet K.499 in Vienna.

    Le rival confident, a comédie mise en musique by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (47) to words of Forgeot, is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Italienne, Paris.

    26 June 1805 The Paris Conservatoire grants its membership diploma to Franz Joseph Haydn (73).  In late July, Luigi Cherubini (44) will carry this, a membership medal and a letter from L’Institut National to Haydn in Vienna.  Cherubini and his wife depart Paris today to produce two operas in Vienna.

    L’amor coniugale, a farsa sentimentale by Simon Mayr (42) to words of Rossi after Bouilly, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Nuovo, Padua.

    26 June 1818 Sarah Wesley writes that her brother Samuel (52) is thought well enough to have been released from the lunatic asylum of Blacklands House after almost a year there.

    26 June 1819 Emma di Resburgo, a melodramma eroico by Giacomo Meyerbeer (27) to words of Rossi after Tottola, is performed for the first time, in Teatro San Benedetto, Venice.  It will eventually receive 74 performances.

    26 June 1824 An den Tod D.518, a song by Franz Schubert (27) to words of Schubart, is published in the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung, Vienna.

    26 June 1850 E foriera la Pace ai mortale, a hymn by Gioachino Rossini (58) to words of Arcangeli after Bacchilde, is performed for the first time.

    26 June 1856 Großfürstin Alexandra Waltz op.181 by Johann Strauss (30) is performed for the first time, in Pavlovsk.

    26 June 1870 Die Walküre, a music-drama by Richard Wagner (57) to his own words, is performed for the first time, against the composer’s wishes, in the Königliches Hof-und Nationaltheater, Munich.  Among the audience are Johannes Brahms (37), Camille Saint-Saëns (34) and Henri Duparc (22).  See 14 August 1876.

    26 June 1881 Giacomo Puccini (22) is fined ten lire by the Academic Council of the Milan Conservatory for “continued unjustified absences.”

    26 June 1889 La tempête, a ballet fantastique by Ambroise Thomas (77) to a scenario by Barbier and Hansen after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    26 June 1890 Isaac Albéniz (30) signs a contract with Henry Lowenfeld to place his “entire work and services as a composer and musician under the control of Lowenfeld...in consideration of Lowenfeld agreeing to advance money for his personal expenses and the promotion of his interests.”

    26 June 1898 The first Bergen Music Festival opens in the Norwegian city.  Edvard Grieg (55) has managed to convince the organizers to invite the Concertgebouw Orchestra.  Their performances help to prove Grieg’s contention that a first class orchestra is necessary in Norway.

    26 June 1902 The Coronation Honors List includes a knighthood for Charles Villiers Stanford (49).  The coronation was supposed to take place today but the King was operated on for appendicitis two days ago.

    26 June 1903 Maurice Ravel’s (28) setting of the Prix de Rome cantata Alyssa, to words of Coiffier, for three solo voices and orchestra, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire.

    26 June 1906 Anton von Webern (22) passes his oral examination in musicology at the University of Vienna.

    26 June 1912 Symphony no.9 by Gustav Mahler (†1) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    26 June 1919 The will of wealthy merchant Augustus D. Juilliard is probated in Goshen, the seat of Orange County, New York.  To the surprise of everyone, he leaves $5,000,000 to create the Juiliiard Musical Foundation.  (Actually, the amount is closer to $13,000,000)

    26 June 1921 The Conservatoire americain opens at Fontainebleau.  Nadia Boulanger (33) is among the faculty.  The first to enroll is Aaron Copland (20).  Present for the opening is the Harvard Glee Club including Virgil Thomson (24).

    26 June 1925 La maschera nuda, an operetta by Ruggero Leoncavallo (†5) to words of Bonelli and Paolieri, with music completed by (or entirely composed by) Salvatore Allegra, is performed for the first time, in the Teatro Politeama, Naples.

    26 June 1926 Sinfonietta for orchestra by Leos Janácek (71) is performed for the first time, in Smetana Hall, Prague.

    26 June 1928 Jacob Raphael Druckman is born in Philadelphia.

    26 June 1932 Sergey Prokofiev (41) travels to London.  Over the next two days he will make his first sound recordings, his third piano concerto, at the Abbey Road studios of His Master’s Voice.

    26 June 1935 A cançaõ do barqueiro do Volga for chorus by Heitor Villa-Lobos (48) to words of Viana, is performed for the first time, in Rio de Janeiro, conducted by the composer.

    26 June 1936 Hymne à la raison for chorus and winds by Charles Koechlin (68) to words of Rouget de Lisle is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.

    26 June 1937 Natur-Liebe-Tod, a cantata for bass and chamber orchestra by Werner Egk (36) to words of Hölty, is performed for the first time, at Göttingen University the composer conducting.

    After four days of tests to discover the cause of his headaches and erratic behavior, George Gershwin (38) is released from Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles.  The doctors diagnose hysteria.

    26 June 1940 After almost four years, Henry Cowell (43) is released from San Quentin Penitentiary on parole.  He will become “musical secretary” to Percy Grainger in White Plains, New York.

    26 June 1945 Rhapsody in Blue, a film biography of George Gershwin (†7), is released in Hollywood.

    26 June 1947 A Symphonic Fantasy on themes from Die Frau ohne Schatten by Richard Strauss (83) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    26 June 1949 Apollo et Hyazinthus for alto and eight players by Hans Werner Henze (22) to words of Trakl, is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt.

    26 June 1955 Lamento, a cantata for soprano and piano by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (49) to words of Gryphius, is performed for the first time, in Schloss Mainau, Konstanz.

    Two works for recorders by Benjamin Britten (41) are performed for the first time, in Thorpeness:  Scherzo for recorder quartet and Alpine Suite for recorder trio.

    26 June 1958 Prairie Overture for band by Robert Ward (40) is performed for the first time, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

    26 June 1971 Canticle IV “The Journey of the Magi” op.86 for three voices and piano by Benjamin Britten (57) to words of Eliot is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings the composer at the piano.

    26 June 1976 Waves for clarinet, horn, two trombones, and percussion by Toru Takemitsu (45) is performed for the first time, in Seibu Theatre, Tokyo.

    26 June 1986 Concerto for piano and orchestra by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (47) is performed for the first time, in Detroit.

    26 June 1987 Three Poems of Beaudelaire for chorus by Ned Rorem (63) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.

    26 June 1988 Festina Lente for strings and harp by Arvo Pärt (53) is performed for the first time, in Helsinki.

    26 June 1989 Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Betsy Jolas (62) is performed for the first time, in Lincoln Center, New York.

    26 June 1991 Books III and IV of the Freeman Etudes for violin by John Cage (78) are performed for the first time, in Zürich.  See 24 April 1978.

    Elegy:  Snow in June for cello and four percussionists by Tan Dun (33) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Space, New York.

    26 June 1996 Tears of the Angels for violin and strings by John Tavener (52) is performed for the first time, in the Hellenic Center, London.

    26 June 1999 Gilded Goldbergs op.86 for two pianos by Robin Holloway (55) is performed publicly for the first time, at Snape Maltings.  See 1 February 1998.

    26 June 2002 A Glass of Shiraz for instrumental ensemble by Peter Maxwell Davies (67) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney.

    26 June 2003 Medusa, a monodrama by William Bolcom (65), is staged for the first time, in Cincinnati.  See 5 March 2003.

    26 June 2005 Symphony no.8 “Lieder der Vergänglichkeit” for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (71) to words of various authors, is performed for the first time, at the inauguration of the Salle Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte, Luxembourg.

    26 June 2010 What are Years? for soprano and chamber ensemble by Elliott Carter (101) to words of Moore, is performed for the first time, in Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh.

    26 June 2011 “Conversations” from Two Controversies and a Conversation for piano, percussion and chamber orchestra by Elliott Carter (102) is performed for the first time, at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh.

    27 June

    27 June 1729 Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre dies in Paris, 64 years, two months, and ten days after her baptism.

    27 June 1757 William Boyce (45) is sworn in as Master of the King’s Musicians, a year and a half after the death of his predecessor, Maurice Greene.

    27 June 1765 François-Joseph Gossec’s (31) opéra comique Le faux lord, to words of Parmentier, is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Italienne, Paris.

    27 June 1776 The Serenade no.501 by Luigi Boccherini (33) is performed for the first time, for the wedding of the Spanish Infante Don Luis to Doña Maria Teresa Ballabriga y Rosas.

    27 June 1778 Le jugement de Midas, an opéra-comique by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry (37) to words of d’Hèle after O’Hara, is performed publicly for the first time, at the Théâtre Italien, Paris.  See 28 March 1778.

    27 June 1784 Ludwig van Beethoven (13) is hired as second organist by the new Elector of Cologne, Maximilian Franz.  He is under the direction of first organist Christian Gottlob Neefe (36).

    27 June 1814 Johann Friedrich Reichardt dies of a stomach ailment in Giebichenstein, near Halle, aged 61 years, seven months and two days, his work largely forgotten.

    27 June 1828 Maestoso Sonata Sentimentale by Nicolò Paganini (45) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    27 June 1831 Otto Nicolai (21) sings the part of Jesus in a Berlin production of the St. Matthew Passion of Johann Sebastian Bach (†80).

    27 June 1878 The prologue to Les béatitudes, an oratorio by César Franck (55) to words of the Bible adapted by Colomb, is performed for the first time, in the Trocadéro, Paris.  See 15 June 1891.

    Les Djinns op.12 for chorus and orchestra by Gabriel Fauré (33) to words of Hugo is performed for the first time with orchestral accompaniment, by the Société National de Musique, Paris.  See 22 April 1876.

    27 June 1887 Symphony no.3 “Irish” by Charles Villiers Stanford (34) is performed for the first time, in London.

    27 June 1906 Thou Danish Man, a song by Carl Nielsen (41) to words of Drachmann, is performed for the first time, in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen.  It shortly becomes a favorite throughout the country.

    27 June 1907 Scherzo phantastick for string quartet by Frank Bridge (28) is performed for the first time, at the Royal College of Music.

    27 June 1908 Der Geburtstag der Infantin, a pantomime by Franz Schreker (30) to his own story after Wilde, is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    27 June 1914 Tonadillas en estilo antiguo for voice and piano by Enrique Granados (46) is performed publicly for the first time, in Barcelona.

    27 June 1919 Three Lieder op.67/2,4,6 by Richard Strauss (55) to words of Goethe, are performed for the first time, in Dresden.

    27 June 1923 Prelude with Theme and Variations for violin by Carl Nielsen (58) is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.

    27 June 1925 Arthur Honegger’s (33) ballet Sous-Marine, to a scenario by Ari, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.  Also premiered is Dance d'Abisag op.75 for orchestra by Florent Schmitt (54).

    27 June 1937 Mein Vaterland, a hymn for chorus and orchestra or organ by Werner Egk (36) to words of Klopstock, is performed for the first time, at Göttingen University, the composer conducting.

    27 June 1942 Epic March for orchestra by John Ireland (62) is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.

    27 June 1947 Three months after what should have been the end to his eight-year sentence, the Soviet government decides to release Lev Sergeyevich Termen (Leon Theremin) (50) from prison.  See 20 March 1939.

    27 June 1954 Wiegenlied der Mutter Gottes for chorus and nine players by Hans Werner Henze (27) to words of Lope de Vega, is performed for the first time, in Duisburg.

    27 June 1959 Suite no.2 for unaccompanied violin by Ernest Bloch (78) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.

    27 June 1962 Composition for Carillon by Gunther Schuller (36) is performed for the first time, at the University of Chicago.

    27 June 1963 Variations pour une porte et un soupir by Pierre Henry (35) is performed for the first time, in L’Église Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, Paris.  See 21 February 1964.

    27 June 1965 Cello Suite no.1 by Benjamin Britten (51) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh Parish Church.

    27 June 1968 Concerto for double bass and orchestra by Gunther Schuller (42) is performed for the first time, in New York, conducted by the composer.

    27 June 1970 Sardokai, oder Das kommt davon, an opera by Ernst Krenek (69) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in the Hamburg State Opera directed by the composer.  In spite of the support of some of the audience, the work is a failure.

    27 June 1976 Symphony no.2 by Wolfgang Rihm (24) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.

    27 June 1979 Liebeslieder:  Four songs with interludes for voice and piano by Hugo Weisgall (66) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of WFMT Chicago.

    27 June 1982 New works by Toru Takemitsu (51) are performed for the first time, in Sapporo:  A way a lone II for string orchestra, Dreamtime for orchestra, and Toward the Sea II for alto flute, harp, and strings.

    Mandelion for organ by John Tavener (38) is performed for the first time, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.

    27 June 1984 Pastoral Drone for organ by George Crumb (54) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.

    27 June 1987 Symphony no.3 for chamber orchestra by Jonathan Lloyd (38) is performed for the first time, in Bracknell, Great Britain.

    Cooperstown Fanfare for two trumpets and two trombones by William Schuman (76) is performed for the first time, in Cooperstown, New York.

    The Golden Echo I for horn and tape by Thea Musgrave (59) is performed for the first time, in Provo, Utah.

    27 June 1990 Three for three recorder players by John Cage (77) is performed for the first time, at the Speyer Cathedral.

    27 June 1995 Spectral Canticle for violin, guitar and orchestra by Toru Takemitsu (64) is performed for the first time, in Kiel.

    27 June 1996 Oceana for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra by Osvaldo Golijov (35) is performed for the first time, at the Oregon Bach Festival.

    27 June 1997 Samaveda for flute, tampura, and soprano by John Tavener (53) is performed for the first time, at the Nehru Center, London.

    Toccanta for oboe and harpsichord by Joan Tower (58) is performed for the first time, at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

    27 June 1999 Ikon of St. Hilda for soprano and female chorus by John Tavener (55) to words of Mother Thekla is performed for the first time, in Wakefield Cathedral.

    27 June 2003 The Veil of the Temple for soprano, chorus, and chamber ensemble by John Tavener (59) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Temple Church, London.

    27 June 2005 Erimilia (Solitude), a cycle for voice and orchestra by Mikis Theodorakis (79) to words of Papadapoulos, is performed for the first time, in the Palace of Music, Thessaloniki.  It is the first of several concerts to celebrate the 80th birthday of the composer.

    27 June 2007 The Seas of Kirk Swarf for bass clarinet and strings by Peter Maxwell Davies (72) is performed for the first time, in Kirkwall, Orkney.

    27 June 2011 Violoncello totale for cello by Krzysztof Penderecki (77) is performed for the first time, at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Bolshoy Hall of Moscow Conservatory.

    28 June

    28 June 1766 Baldassare Galuppi’s (59) componimento drammatico La pace tra la Virtù e la Bellezza to words of Metastasio, is performed for the first time, at the Russian court in St. Petersburg.

    28 June 1770 Libera me, for the funeral of his friend Francis Pemberton by Thomas Augustine Arne (60), for soprano, tenor, bass, mixed chorus and organ, is performed for the first time, in London.

    28 June 1774 Johann Christian Bach (38), Karl Heinrich Abel and Giovanni Andrea Gallini acquire property on the corner of Hanover Street and Hanover Square, London, upon which they will build a concert hall.

    28 June 1800 Il carretto del venditore d’aceto, a farsa by Simon Mayr (37) to words of Foppa, is performed for the first time, at the Teatro San Angelo, Venice.

    28 June 1815 Robert Knauth (Franz) is born in Halle, the son of Christoph Franz Knauth.  The family name will be changed in 1847.

    28 June 1834 William Crotch (58) makes his last public appearance, playing the organ at the Handel Festival in Westminster Abbey.

    28 June 1839 A Paris court sentences Nicolò Paganini (56) to pay 20,000 francs plus interest and costs with a threat of arrest for debt for ten years upon non-fulfillment for claims.  He appeals.

    28 June 1840 The Bishop of Nice rejects an appeal by the executors of Nicolò Paganini’s (†0) estate for a Catholic burial.  The body will spend the summer in the cellar of Count de Cessole.  In September it will be transferred to a leper house.

    28 June 1841 Giselle, ou Les Wilis, a ballet fantastique by Adolphe Adam (37) to a story by Gautier and St.-Georges, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra.

    28 June 1850 Fest-Hymne W.92 for male chorus and orchestra by Peter Cornelius (25) to words of Rellstab is performed for the first time, in a festival concert at the Royal Opera House, Berlin on the recovery of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV from an attempted assassination.

    28 June 1853 Vermählungs-Toaste op.136, a waltz by Johann Strauss (27), is performed for the first time, in the Volksgarten, Vienna.

    28 June 1867 Hector Berlioz (63) learns of the death of his son Louis of yellow fever aboard his ship in Havana harbor three weeks ago.  Exactly how he learned is not certain but he spends the rest of the day on his bed, in silence.  Early next month he will go to the Conservatoire and empty the contents of a trunk, which includes programs, press clippings and the like, and burn them.

    28 June 1884 Claude Debussy’s (21) setting of L’Enfant prodigue wins the Grand Prix de Rome.

    28 June 1891 Eton, an ode for chorus and orchestra by Hubert Parry (43) to words of Swinburne, is performed for the first time, at Eton College to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the college.

    28 June 1893 Frederick Shepherd Converse (22) graduates from Harvard University.

    28 June 1898 Auf’s Korn op.478, a Bundesschützen-Marsch for chorus and orchestra by Johann Strauss (72), is performed for the first time, in the Prater, Vienna.

    28 June 1901 Maurice Ravel’s (26) Prix de Rome entry, the cantata Myrrha, to words of Bessier, for three solo voices and orchestra, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire.

    28 June 1905 Edward Elgar (48) receives an honorary doctorate at the Yale University commencement.  The Yale music professor, Horatio Parker (41), plays Pomp and Circumstance March no.1 on the organ.  It is the first time that this work is performed at an American academic ritual.

    Since the name “The School of Musical Art of the City of New York” is already in use, a second charter is granted to the school now called the Institute of Musical Art.  It will eventually be called the Juilliard School.  See 27 June 1904.

    28 June 1907 The first of the Deux Poèmes chinois op.12, Ode à un jeune gentilhomme, by Albert Roussel (38) to words of Roché after Giles, is performed for the first time, in Le Havre.

    28 June 1908 While on their honeymoon, Charles (33) and Harmony Ives take a walk along the Housatonic River in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.  It is an experience that will inspire Ives to compose The Housatonic at Stockbridge.

    28 June 1910 Authorities at the Vienna Music Academy agree to allow Arnold Schoenberg (35) to teach music theory in spite of his ethnic background.

    Dr. HHA Beach, husband of Amy Cheney Beach (42), dies at his Boston home, of septicemia following injuries sustained in a fall on 25 April.  This will change her life dramatically.

    28 June 1914 Edward Elgar’s (57) song Chariots of the Lord, to words of Brownlie, is performed for the first time, in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

    28 June 1916 Concerto for cello and orchestra op.3 by Paul Hindemith (20) is performed for the first time, at the Hoch Conservatory, Frankfurt the composer making his conducting debut.

    Three chamber works by Arnold Bax (32) are performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London:  Four Pieces for flute and piano (under the title Four Dances), Legend, and Ballad, both for violin and piano.

    28 June 1921 To Be Sung of a Summer Night on the Water, two songs by Frederick Delius (59) for textless chorus, is performed for the first time, in Aeolian Hall, London.

    28 June 1924 Cecil James Sharp dies in London, aged 64 years, seven months, and six days.

    28 June 1926 Väinö’s Song, a cantata for chorus and orchestra by Jean Sibelius (60) to words from the Kalevala, is performed for the first time, in Sortavala.

    28 June 1935 A Kingdom for a Cow, a musical comedy by Kurt Weill (35) to words of Arkell and Carter, after Vambery, is performed for the first time, at the Savoy Theatre, London.  Weill’s ex-wife Lotte Lenja has come to join him for the premiere, her affair having ended.  But the reaction by press and public is not good.  See 23 March 1990.

    Concerto for cello and orchestra no.1 op.136 by Darius Milhaud (42) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    28 June 1936 La victoire op.153/3 for winds by Charles Koechlin (68) is performed for the first time, in the Stadium at Choisy-le-Roi to commemorate 100 years since the death of Rouget de Lisle.  See 8 December 1961.

    28 June 1942 Petit Cours de Morale for voice and piano by Arthur Honegger (49) to words of Giraudoux, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris, Francis Poulenc (43) at the piano.

    28 June 1943 Chansons villageoises for voice and piano by Francis Poulenc (44) to words of Frombeure, is performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris the composer at the keyboard.

    28 June 1944 Pierre Boulez (19) visits Olivier Messiaen (35) for the first time, in Paris.

    28 June 1945 Suite française op.248 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (52) is performed for the first time, in New York.

    28 June 1949 String Quartet no.5 by Ross Lee Finney (42) is performed for the first time, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

    28 June 1954 Couronne de gloire op.211, a cycle for voice and chamber ensemble by Darius Milhaud (61) to words of Rabbi Solomon, is performed for the first time, in Brussels, conducted by the composer.

    28 June 1961 Kaleidoscope for two pianos by John Corigliano (23) is performed for the first time, in Spoleto.

    28 June 1962 Atrées for eleven musicians by Iannis Xenakis (40) is performed for the first time, in Paris.

    28 June 1966 Akrata for 16 winds by Iannis Xenakis (44) is performed for the first time, in St Catherine College Hall, Oxford.

    Ode pour les morts des guerres op.406 for orchestra by Darius Milhaud (73) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of Radio France, the composer conducting.

    28 June 1967 Triplum for orchestra by Gunther Schuller (41) is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, New York conducted by Leonard Bernstein (48).

    28 June 1968 Musique pour Lisbonne op.420 for chamber orchestra by Darius Milhaud (75) is performed for the first time, in Lisbon.

    28 June 1972 Como una ola de fuerza y luz for soprano, piano, orchestra, and tape by Luigi Nono (48) to words of Huasi, is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan.

    28 June 1973 Fanfare for chamber orchestra and folk instruments by Lukas Foss (50) is performed for the first time, in Istanbul.

    28 June 1976 String Quartet no.3 op.37 by Alexander Goehr (43) is performed for the first time, at St. John’s, Smith Square, London.

    28 June 1977 Kottos for cello by Iannis Xenakis (55) is performed for the first time, in La Rochelle.

    28 June 1981 Nocturnal for piano by Peter Sculthorpe (52) is performed for the first time, in North Caulfield, Victoria.

    28 June 1984 Adagissimo for string quartet by Brian Ferneyhough (41) is performed for the first time, in La Rochelle, France.

    Ricercare for organ by Gian Carlo Menotti (72) is performed for the first time, in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco.

    28 June 1985 Love Bade Me Welcome for chorus by John Tavener (41) to words of Herbert is performed for the first time, in Winchester Cathedral.

    28 June 1987 Sonata no.1 and Sonata no.2 for violin and piano by Karl Amadeus Hartmann (†23) are performed for the first time, in Munich 60 years after they were composed.

    The first public performance of Study for Player Piano no.23 by Conlon Nancarrow (74) takes place in Amsterdam.

    28 June 1988 Mitternachtsstük IV for voices and instruments by Mauricio Kagel (56) to words of Robert Schumann (†131) is performed for the first time, in Union Chapel, London.

    28 June 1989 Lament of the Mother of God for soprano and chorus by John Tavener (45) to words of the Orthodox liturgy is performed for the first time, in Norwich Cathedral.

    28 June 1993 Here in the Flesh for congregation and piano by TJ Anderson (64) to words of Masefield is performed for the first time, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

    28 June 1999 Two works by Henri Pousseur (70) are performed for the first time, in L’église Saint Jacques, Liège:  Les Métamorphoses de Marie-Madeleine for chorus, piano, and two percussionists, and Ombres enlacées.

    28 June 2003 A Seattle Overture by William Bolcom (65) is performed for the first time, to open Marian Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle.

    28 June 2005 Missa Brevis for treble voices and organ by John Tavener (61) is performed for the first time, in Westminster Cathedral, London.

    28 June 2008 Vier späte Gedichte von Friedrich Rückert for voice and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (56) are performed for the first time, in Bad Kissingen.

    29 June

    29 June 1744 André Campra dies at Versailles, 83 years, six months, and 25 days after his baptism.

    29 June 1767 The mortal remains of Georg Philipp Telemann are laid to rest in St. John’s Churchyard, Hamburg.

    29 June 1801 In a letter to Franz Gerhard Wegeler in Berlin, Ludwig van Beethoven (30) first mentions his deafness.  “...if someone speaks in a low voice, I can barely understand; I hear the sounds but not the words.  If anyone shouts it is unbearable.  What is to become of me, heaven only knows...I have cursed my fate many times already...I shall, if it is at all possible, challenge my fate, although there will be moments when I shall be God’s most unhappy creature.”

    29 June 1806 Das Fest des Dankes und Freude, a cantata by Johann Nepomuk Hummel (27), is performed for the first time, in Vienna.

    29 June 1813 Le nouveau seigneur de village, an opéra comique by Adrien Boieldieu (37) to words of Creuzé de Lesser and Favières, is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.

    29 June 1822 La lettera anonima, a dramma per musica by Gaetano Donizetti (24) to words of Genoino, is performed for the first time, in Teatro del Fondo, Naples.

    29 June 1831 Johann Nepomuk Hummel (52) and Nicolò Paganini (48) give a joint concert before King William, the Queen and nobility at St. James’ Palace.  Paganini’s presence in London has been overshadowing Hummel’s efforts on his current visit to the city.  The two have met before, having shared a stage in Weimar in 1829.

    29 June 1848 Hector Berlioz’ (44) second London concert establishes his reputation with the London press.  His orientale La captive for soprano and orchestra to words of Hugo is performed for the first time, at this concert.

    29 June 1853 Giacomo Meyerbeer (61) calls on Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (49) in Paris.  They discuss opera, Gluck (†65) in particular.  They will never meet again.

    29 June 1864 Cosima von Bülow and her two daughters join Richard Wagner (51) at his house on Lake Starnberg, Bavaria.  Wagner has invited the von Bülow family to his house and Hans has sent Cosima and the children on ahead.  He will arrive on 7 July.

    29 June 1879 Two sacred works for chorus and organ by Edward Elgar (22) are performed for the first time, in St. George’s Church, Worcester:  Domine salvam fac and Tantum ergo.

    The Trio for piano and strings op.26 by Antonin Dvorák (37) is performed for the first time, in Turnov, along with the premiere of his Polonaise for cello and piano and a Slavonic Dance for violin and piano op.46/2.

    29 June 1888 Richard Wagner’s (†5) romantische Oper Die Feen WWV 32 to his own words after Gozzi is performed for the first time, in the Königliches Hof-und Nationaltheater, Munich, 55 years after it was composed.  See 12 December 1833.

    29 June 1889 Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov (45) and Alyeksandr Glazunov (23) conduct at the second of two concerts devoted to Russian music at the Trocadéro.  These performances are a critical success but attendance is poor.

    29 June 1894 Lady Radnor Suite for strings by Hubert Parry (46) is performed for the first time, in St. James’ Hall, London.

    29 June 1898 700 students receive degrees at the commencement exercises at Yale University.  Among them is Charles Ives (23).

    29 June 1905 The Mystic Trumpeter op.18 for soprano and orchestra by Gustav Holst (30) to words of Whitman, is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, conducted by the composer.

    29 June 1908 Fourteen Bagatelles op.6 for piano by Béla Bartók (27) are performed for the first time, in the Vienna piano class of Ferruccio Busoni (42).  See 12 March 1910.

    29 June 1911 A Spring Canticle for chorus and orchestra by Ethel Smyth (53) is performed for the first time, in Queen’s Hall, London, conducted by the composer.

    29 June 1938 Four songs by Claude Debussy (†20) are performed for the first time, in the Salle Gaveau, Paris:  Sérénade, Souhait and Le Lilas to words of Banville, and Jane to words of Leconte de Lisle.

    29 June 1942 Valiant for Truth, a motet for chorus and organ ad lib by Ralph Vaughan Williams (69) to words of Bunyan, is performed for the first time, in St. Michael’s Church, Cornhill, London.

    29 June 1946 Seven scenes from The Young Guard, a film with music by Dmitri Shostakovich (39), are shown for the first time, at the All-Union State Institute for Cinematography.  See 11 & 25 October 1948.

    29 June 1949 Johnny, a cabaret song by Benjamin Britten (35) to words of Auden, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC Third Programme.

    29 June 1953 Trio for violin, cello, and piano by David Diamond (37) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.

    29 June 1956 Incidental music to Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night by Peter Sculthorpe (27) is performed for the first time, in Canberra.

    29 June 1958 Fantasia em trés movimentos for orchestra by Heitor Villa-Lobos (70) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.

    29 June 1961 Suite op.11 for flute, clarinet, horn, harp, violin/viola, and cello by Alexander Goehr (28) is performed for the first time, in Aldeburgh.

    29 June 1962 Cornelius Cardew (26) marries Stella Sargent Underwood, an artist and mother of two, at the Kensington Registry Office.  It is the second marriage for both.

    29 June 1970 March of the Spirit, an oratorio by Mikis Theodorakis (44) to words of Sikelianos, is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London conducted by the composer.

    29 June 1975 Empreintes for orchestra by Iannis Xenakis (53) is performed for the first time, in La Rochelle.

    Parable XVI op.130 for viola by Vincent Persichetti (60) is performed for the first time, in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

    29 June 1979 Songs of Innocence for soprano and chamber ensemble by Ben Johnston (53) to words of Blake is performed for the first time.

    29 June 1980 Neue Alexanderlieder, a cycle for baritone and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (28) to words of Herbeck, is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.

    Michael Tippett’s (75) Wolf Trap Fanfare for brass is performed for the first time, at Wolf Trap in Virginia.

    29 June 1982 Views from the Oldest House for organ by Ned Rorem (58) is performed for the first time, in All Souls Unitarian Church, Washington.

    29 June 1984 Souvenir for organ by John Cage (71) is given its official premiere at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco.

    29 June 1985 For Bunita Marcus for piano by Morton Feldman (59) is performed for the first time, in Middelburg.

    Island Rhythms for orchestra by Joan Tower (46) is performed for the first time, in Tampa, Florida.

    29 June 1987 Two Imitations of Baudelaire op.47 for chorus by Alexander Goehr (54) to words of Robert Lowell is performed for the first time, in St. John’s, Smith Square, London.

    29 June 1988 Four Solos for Voice by John Cage (75) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York.

    29 June 1991 Restless Night for woodwind quintet by Jonathan Lloyd (42) is performed for the first time, in Christchurch Priory, Bournemouth.

    The first two of the Three Two-Part Studies for piano by Conlon Nancarrow (78) is performed for the first time, in Cologne, over 50 years after they were composed.

    29 June 1992 The remains of Ignacy Jan Paderewski arrive in Poland from the United States.  The pianist left Poland in 1919 never to return alive.  He was later a member of the Polish government-in-exile during World War II.  When Paderwski died on 19 June 1941, President Roosevelt ordered the body buried in the crypt of the Battleship Maine in Arlington National Cemetery until it could be returned to Poland after the war.  The communist government refused to accept the return of the body.

    29 June 2001 Scorribanda Sinfonica for orchestra by Hans Werner Henze (74) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.

    29 June 2006 L’Antre de la Nymphe for female voice and five players by Henri Pousseur (77) to words of Butor is performed for the first time, at Castello Caetani de Sermoneta.

    30 June

    30 June 1666 Adam Krieger dies in Dresden, aged 32 years, five months and 23 days.

    30 June 1722 Georg Anton Benda is baptized in Stare Benatky.

    30 June 1783 The aria for soprano and orchestra Vorrei Spiegarvi, oh Dio K.418 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27) is performed for the first time, as part of Anfossi’s(56) Il curioso indiscreto, in the Vienna Burgtheater.

    30 June 1786 Giovanni Paisiello’s (46) favola boschereccia Amore vendicato to words of di Gennaro is performed for the first time, at the Accademia dei Cavalieri, Naples.

    30 June 1790 Three pieces for Pasquale Anfossi’s (63) I Viaggiatori felici by Luigi Cherubini (29) are performed for the first time, in Paris.

    30 June 1811 Cantate sur la naissance de S.M. le Roi de Rome by Luigi Cherubini (50), Étienne-Nicolas Méhul (48) and Castel to words of Arnault is performed for the first time, at the ceremonies for the new Salle des Concerts de Conservatoire, Paris.

    30 June 1818 Le petit chaperon rouge, an opéra comique by Adrien Boieldieu (42) to words of Théaulon de Lambert after Perrault, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.

    30 June 1821 An Emma D.113, a song by Franz Schubert (24) to words of Schiller, is published in the Zeitschrift für Kunst, Vienna.

    30 June 1825 Carl Friedrich Zelter oversees the laying of the cornerstone of the new Berlin Singakademie.

    On her second visit to London, Maria Szymanowska (35) gives a concert before the royal family.

    30 June 1832 An overture to Hell’s (after Scribe) play Yelva, oder Die Stumme by Albert Lortzing (30) is performed for the first time, in Pyrmont.

    30 June 1859 Antonin Dvorák (17) graduates from the Prague Organ School.

    30 June 1897 Ecce jam noctis for male chorus and orchestra by George Whitefield Chadwick (42) to words of St. Gregory of Tours translated by Parker is performed for the first time, at commencement excercises of Yale University at which the composer receives an honorary MA.

    30 June 1899 Our Enemies Have Fallen op.68 for chorus and orchestra by Charles Villiers Stanford (46) to words of Tennyson is performed for the first time, in Buckingham Palace.

    30 June 1901 Maurice Ravel (26) receives the ‘deuxième second’ Prix de Rome for his cantata Myrrha, behind Andre Caplet and Gabriel Dupont.

    30 June 1904 String Quartet in C by Ralph Vaughan Williams (31) is performed for the first time, at the Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club.

    30 June 1906 Poème op.32/2 and the Valse op.38 for piano by Alyeksandr Skryabin (34) are performed for the first time, at the Geneva Conservatory by the composer.

    30 June 1907 Arnold Schoenberg’s (32) String Quartet no.1 op.7 is performed in Dresden to a chorus of whistlers and the stomping and applause of some of the composer’s Viennese supporters, including Alban Berg (22).

    30 June 1908 Manuel de Falla (31) plays his Cuatro piezas españolas for Claude Debussy (55) in Paris.  See 27 March 1909.

    30 June 1912 People from Land and Sea op.65a for chorus by Jean Sibelius (46) to words of Knape, is performed for the first time, in Vaasa.

    30 June 1917 Incidental music to Moreto’s play La adúltera penitente by Joaquín Turina (34) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona.

    30 June 1918 Arnold Schoenberg (43), Alban Berg (33), Anton von Webern (34), Dr. Ernst Bachrich, and Erwin Ratz meet at Schoenberg’s house in Mödling and plan a society for the performance of contemporary music.

    30 June 1921 The Neue Wiener Presse reports that the Austrian town of Mattsee, which  passed a resolution that all Jews be forced to leave town, has requested that Arnold Schoenberg (46) produce proof that he is not a Jew (Schoenberg owns a summer home in the town).  Although his certificate of baptism would be sufficient, the composer will decide to leave.

    30 June 1922 Suite for Military Band op.28/2 by Gustav Holst (47) is performed for the first time, in Royal Albert Hall, London.

    30 June 1923 Heitor Villa-Lobos (36) leaves Brazil aboard the French ship Croix, bound for Europe.  Not wealthy enough to afford both of them, his wife Lucília remains home.  He tells reporters, “I do not go to France to study.  I go to show them what I have done.”

    30 June 1924 George White’s Scandals of 1924, a revue with book by Wells and White, lyrics by DeSylva and MacDonald and seven songs by George Gershwin (25), is performed for the first time, at the Apollo Theatre, New York.  One of the new songs is Somebody Loves Me.

    30 June 1933 An evening performance in the Hôtel Singer-Polignac in Paris is apparently the first entire concert conducted by Nadia Boulanger (45).  She directs a chorus and orchestra in cantata excerpts by JS Bach (†182), an organ transcription of a Vivaldi (†192) concerto, and the Brandenburg Concerto no.5.  One of the bass choristers is an American named Elliott Carter (24).  It is the first of 19 of Mlle. Boulanger’s concerts for the Princesse de Polignac over the next five years.

    30 June 1935 Italian Dance for string quartet by Gian Carlo Menotti (23) is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of the BBC originating in London.

    30 June 1938 Victoire de la vie, a film with music by Charles Koechlin (70), is shown for the first time, at Port St. Cloud.

    30 June 1943 La vita è sogno, an opera by Gian Francesco Malipiero (61) to his own words after Calderón, is performed for the first time, in the Opernhaus, Breslau (Wroclaw).

    30 June 1944 The last season at the Vienna Opera House ends, appropriately enough, with a performance of Richard Wagner’s (†61) Götterdämmerung.  See 12 March 1945.

    30 June 1949 Bärenreiter Verlag, Kassel, begins publication of Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart.

    30 June 1951 Dance for piano by Peter Maxwell Davies (16) is performed for the first time, by the composer over the airwaves of the BBC originating in Manchester.

    30 June 1955 Irkanda I for violin by Peter Sculthorpe (26) is performed for the first time, in the British Music Society Rooms, Melbourne.

    30 June 1956 Homage à Bach for organ by Charles Wuorinen (18) is performed for the first time, in First Congregational Church, Gardner, Massachusetts.

    30 June 1967 Pittsburgh Overture for winds, percussion, harmonium, and piano by Krzysztof Penderecki (33) is performed for the first time, in Pittsburgh.

    30 June 1970 A Fanfare for DW for brass by Benjamin Britten (56) is performed for the first time, at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

    The Harry Partch (69) Foundation is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as an educational nonprofit organization, making contributions to it tax deductible.

    30 June 1971 From Stone to Thorn for mezzo-soprano, basset horn, guitar, harpsichord, and percussion by Peter Maxwell Davies (36) to words of Brown is performed for the first time, in Holywell Music Room, Oxford the composer conducting.

    30 June 1974 A-Ronne, a “radiophonic documentary” for eight actors by Luciano Berio (48) to words of Edoardo Sanguineti, is performed for the first time, over the airwaves of KRO originating in Hilversum, Netherlands.

    30 June 1978 Diabelskie Skrzypce for string instrument and harpsichord by Lejaren Hiller (54) is performed for the first time, in Middleburg, the Netherlands.

    30 June 1980 Improvisation IV for three cassette players by John Cage (67) is performed for the first time, in Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London.

    30 June 1985 Nyûyô for shakuhachi, sangen, and two kotos by Iannis Xenakis (63) is performed for the first time, in Tokyo.

    30 June 1988 Hymn to the Holy Spirit for three trebles and chorus by John Tavener (44) is performed for the first time, in the Greek Cathedral of St. Sophia, London.

    30 June 1990 My Way of Life:  In Memory of Michael Vyner for baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Toru Takemitsu (59) to words of Tamura is performed for the first time, in Leeds.

    30 June 1991 Reflets for speaker and 14 instruments by Jean-Claude Risset (53) is performed for the first time, in Chartres.

    30 June 1992 Trilogy for oboe and harp by Elliott Carter (83) is performed completely for the first time, at the Pontino Festival, Castello Caetani, Sermonetta, Italy.  Bariolage for harp was performed on 23 March.  Inner Song for oboe was performed on 25 April.  The third section, Immer Neu, is performed for the first time today.

    30 June 2001 There is Something Between Us... for baritone and orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (66) to words of Brendel is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.

    Quodlibet for oboe, horn, violin, cello, and harp by Gunther Schuller (75) is performed for the first time, in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

    30 June 2004 The Washington Post reports that Laurie Anderson (57) has been appointed by NASA as artist-in-residence.  She receives $20,000 to produce a work of art at her discretion.

    30 June 2006 Glosa a lo Divino for seven live and seven recorded voices by Kevin Volans (56) is performed for the first time, in Scotland.

    30 June 2007 Quasi niente for closed mouths by Mauricio Kagel (75) is performed for the first time, at the University of Siegen.

    30 June 2010 Hymn to Night for viola and piano by Alexander Goehr (77) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.

    Sotto voce for viola, double bass, and two guitars by Sofia Gubaidulina (78) is performed for the first time, in Passau.

    30 June 2012 Pater noster for chorus by Wolfgang Rihm (60) is performed for the first time, in Passau.

    Pomfret.  The Dungeon of the Castle for voice and piano by Alexander Goehr (79) is performed for the first time, in Bad Kissingen.

    ©2004-2012 Paul Scharfenberger

    6 July 2012

    Last Updated (Friday, 06 July 2012 05:49)

     

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