Classical Music Timeline: Before 1770

This is the first of a series of postings of important classical music dates, from the 17th century to the present. Included are the date and location of the birth and death of composers, and the premiere date and location of the first public performance of works. When the premiere date and location is unknown, the date or year of completion of the work is given. Though reasonably comprehensive, this is a subjective list, so the choice of composers and works is mine. If you find any errors, or if you can offer a premiere date and location for a work where only the completion date or year is listed, please post a comment here.

1659
September 10? – Henry Purcell (1659-1695) was born in London, England

1678
March 4 – Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was born in Venice, Italy

1685
March 31 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was born in Eisenach, Germany

1689
Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, opera by Henry Purcell (1659-1695) was first performed in London, England

1695
November 21 – Henry Purcell (1659-1695) died in London, England

1700
Giovanni Battista Sammartini (1700?-1775) was born in Milan, Italy

1715
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) completed Gloria, RV 589

1717
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) completed Credo, RV 591

June 18 – Johann Stamitz (1717-1757) was born in Havlíčkův Brod, Czech Republic

1721
March 24 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) completed Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 by this date

March 24 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) completed Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 by this date

1724
January 6 – Puer natus in Bethlehem, for children’s chorus, cello, and organ, BWV 65/2 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was completed

1730
Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was completed by this date

1731
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) completed Chamber Concerto for Lute and 2 Violins in D major, RV 93

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) completed Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, by this date

1732
Giovanni Battista Sammartini (1700?-1775) completed Symphony in D minor (J-C 23), perhaps earlier

March 31 – Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was born in Rohrau, Austria

1741
July 28 – Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) died in Vienna, Austria

1743
February 19 – Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) was born in Lucca, Italy

1746
Johann Stamitz (1717-1757) completed Symphony in A major, “Mannheim No. 2” and Symphony in B♭ major, “Mannheim No. 3”, perhaps earlier

1750
July 28 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) died in Leipzig, Germany

1756
January 27 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was born in Salzburg, Austria

1757
Johann Stamitz (1717-1757) completed Trio in E major, op. 5, no. 3, perhaps earlier

March 27 – Johann Stamitz (1717-1757) died in Mannheim, Germany

1761
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 6 in D major, Hob. I:6 “Le matin”

1764
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 22 in E-flat Major, Hob. I:22 “The Philosopher”

1768
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Bastien and Bastienne, K. 50

1770s

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