Classical Music Timeline: 2010s

This is one 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.

2010
April 22 – Double Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Orchestra by Philip Glass (1937-) was first performed in The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands

November 2 – Rudolf Barshai (1924-2010) died in Basel, Switzerland

2011
Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed Piano Sonata in E-flat Major

Amanda Harberg (1973-) completed Concerto for Viola and Orchestra

December 15 – Krasimir Kyurkchiyski (1936-2011) died in Sofia, Bulgaria

2016
May 5 – Isao Tomita (1932-2016) died in Tokyo, Japan

July 27 – Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) died in Helsinki, Finland

2017
January 21 – Veljo Tormis (1930-2017) died in Tallinn, Estonia

2018
Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed I Think of You, for piano

Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed In Memoriam (from Piano Concerto, 2nd movement: Adagio), for piano

2019
Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed Impromptu in C minor, “The Chase”, for piano

Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed Siren Sounds Waltz, for piano

Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed Sixty Minutes Polka, for piano

Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed The Lonely Pine-Tree, for piano

Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed “The Star of Hope” (from the opera Cinderella), for piano

Alma Deutscher (2005-) completed “When the Day Falls Into Darkness” (from the opera Cinderella), for piano

February 17 – Deux Sérénades, for violin and orchestra, by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) was first performed in Paris, France

February 20 – Dominick Argento (1927-2019) died in Minneapolis, Minnesota

May 10 – “Inferno” (Part 1 of Dante) by Thomas Adès (1971-) was first performed in Los Angeles, California

2000s

2020s→

Classical Music Timeline: 2000s

This is one 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.

2000
April 4Scenes from the Poet’s Dreams, for piano quintet, by Jennifer Higdon (1962-) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

April 27 – Symphony No. 8, “The Journey”, by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 21 – Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) died in Seattle, Washington

2001
April 19 – Orphée Suite [transcribed for piano by Paul Barnes (1961-)] by Philip Glass (1937-) was first performed in New York, New York

May 12 – Viola Sonata [Cello Sonata, op. 40, arranged for viola by Annette Bartholdy (1972-)] by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) received its world premiere recording

2002
July 2 – Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur (1908-2002) died in Paris, France

September 22Light Refracted by Jennifer Higdon (1962-) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2003
April 29Wild Swans, ballet by Elena Kats-Chernin (1957-) was first performed in Sydney, Australia

May 9Dreams of the Child of Light by Michael Mauldin (1947-) was first performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico

2004
Clytus Gottwald (1925-2023) completed Im Treibhaus (after Wagner), for unaccompanied chorus

July 21 – Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2004) died in Beverly Hills, California

November 12The Spirit and the Maiden, for violin, cello, and piano, by Elena Kats-Chernin (1957-) was first performed in Brisbane, Australia

2005
Valentin Silvestrov (1937-) completed Liturgical Chants, for SATB choir a cappella

January 21 – Kaljo Raid (1921-2005) died in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

February 19 – Alma Deutscher (2005-) was born in Basingstoke, England

April 23 – Robert Farnon (1917-2005) died in Guernsey, Channel Islands

October – Symphony No. 1 (3rd and final version) by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) was premiered via recording in Brussels, Belgium

December 17 – Trevor Duncan (1924-2005) died in Taunton, England

2006
Valentin Silvestrov (1937-) completed Two Christmas Lullabies, for SATB choir a cappella

Valentin Silvestrov (1937-) completed Two Sacred Songs, for SATB choir a cappella

Alla Pavlova (1952-) completed Symphony No. 5

Elisabetta Brusa (1954-) completed Merlin, Symphonic Poem

June 12 – György Ligeti (1923-2006) died in Vienna, Austria

September 23 – Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) died in Norwich, England

2007
February 1 – Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007) died in Monte Carlo, Monaco

2009
April 10 – Richard Arnell (1917-2009) died in London, England

1990s

2010s

4534 Rimskij-Korsakov

On Sunday afternoon, October 13, 2024, I attended a wonderful concert by the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO) that included a rousing performance of Scheherazade by the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Early that evening, I was the first person in the world to observe the composer’s namesake asteroid 4534 Rimskij-Korsakov passing in front of a distant star and, briefly, blocking its light. As a classical music lover, that made me very happy.

The 0.5-second occultation of the 13.6-magnitude star UCAC4 558-003434 by the asteroid
4534 Rimskij-Korsakov on 14 Oct 2024 2:23:46 UT as seen from Tucson, Arizona
using an 8-inch telescope

4534 Rimskij-Korsakov was discovered on 6 Aug 1986 by the Russian astronomer Nikolai Chernykh (1931-2004) at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory near the small settlement of Nauchnyi on the Crimean peninsula, part of Ukraine but illegally occupied by Putin’s Russian forces since 2014.

At the time of its discovery, this asteroid received its preliminary designation 1986 PV4. As is the custom, the discoverer gets to choose a name for the asteroid if they so desire, and Nikolai Chernykh decided to name his discovery after Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908). This name was approved by the IAU and published in Minor Planet Circular 23352 on 25 Apr 1994.

4534 Rimskij-Korsakov is not a large asteroid. Its average diameter is estimated to be just 9.9 miles. Had I been right on the centerline of the asteroid’s shadow, I should have seen the star disappear for about 1.2 seconds. Given that I had to use an integration time of 0.27s due the faintness of the occulted star, the 0.5-second event I recorded had only two data points in the “dip” where the 13.6 magnitude star disappeared leaving only the sky background since the asteroid’s estimated magnitude was just 17.5m. Normally, one likes to have at least three data points in the dip, but two is better than one and the event happened at exactly the predicted time.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov wrote a lot of great music, and he was a master of orchestration and orchestral “colors”. Here are my favorite works. If you don’t already know them, give them a listen!

  • Capriccio espagnol
  • Le Coq d’Or, Suite  [arranged by Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936) & Maximilian Steinberg (1883-1946)]
  • Russian Easter Festival Overture
  • Scheherazade
  • Suite from The Snow Maiden
  • Symphony No. 2, “Antar”
  • The Tale of Tsar Saltan, Suite

Classical Music Timeline: 1990s

This is one 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.

1990
Gloria Coates (1933-2023) completed Symphony No. 7

March 15 – Symphony No. 1 by John Corigliano (1938-) was first performed in Chicago, Illinois

October 14 – Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) died in New York, New York

November 10Home Alone, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

December 2 – Aaron Copland (1900-1990) died in Sleepy Hollow, New York

1991
Ballade in G minor, op. 24 by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) as orchestrated by Geirr Tveitt (1908-1981) was first performed in Norheimsund, Norway

John Adams (1947-) completed Berceuse élégiaque, an arrangement for small orchestra of the work by Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924)

June 29Liverpool Oratorio by Paul McCartney (1942-) and Carl Davis (1936-2023) was first performed in Liverpool, England

1992
April 27 – Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) died in Paris, France

1994
December 2Thurber’s Dogs by Peter Schickele (1935-2024) was first performed in Columbus, Ohio

1995
James Moody (1907-1995) died in London, England

Jack Stamp (1954-) completed Aubrey Fanfare

Timothy Brock (1963-) completed a film score for the 1926 silent movie Faust

May 31Lintukoto (Isle of Bliss) by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) was first performed in Lohja, Finland

September 1 – Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra by Philip Glass (1937-) was first performed in Stockholm, Sweden

1996
Thomas Bloch [aka Johann Julius Sontag von Holt Sombach] (1962-) completed Adagio for Glass Harmonica & String Quartet (from Fantaisie Concertante) sometime after this year

1997
Dominick Argento (1927-2019) completed Reverie, Reflections on a Hymn Tune

February 21Rosewood, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

1998
November 11 – Clive Richardson (1909-1998) died in London, England

1999
Lera Auerbach (1973-) completed Postlude for Violin and Piano

Lera Auerbach (1973-) completed Twenty-Four Preludes for Violin and Piano, op. 46

February 23 – Ruth Gipps (1921-1999) died in Eastbourne, England

July 6 – Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) died in Madrid, Spain

1980s

2000s

Classical Music Timeline: 1980s

This is one 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.

1980
January 17Epitaph for a Man Who Dreamed (In Memoriam: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) by Adolphus Hailstork (1941-) was first performed in Baltimore, Maryland

May 6The Empire Strikes Back, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

December 24 – Alec Wilder (1907-1980) died in Gainesville, Florida

1981
January 23 – Samuel Barber (1910-1981) died in New York, New York

February 1 – Geirr Tveitt (1908-1981) died in Oslo, Norway

February 26 – Howard Hanson (1896-1981) died in Rochester, New York

June 12Raiders of the Lost Ark, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

1982
Mikhail Goldstein (1917-1989) published a reconstruction of the Cello Sonata in B minor by Alexander Borodin (1833-1887)

May 26E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

1983
March 8 – William Walton (1902-1983) died in La Mortella, Italy

May 1Cypresses, for voice and piano, B11 by Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) was first performed in Prague, Czech Republic

May 25Return of the Jedi, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

June 25 – Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983) died in Geneva, Switzerland

1984
June 8 – Gordon Jacob (1895-1984) died in Saffron Walden, Essex, England

July 18 – Olympic Fanfare and Theme by John Williams (1932-) was first performed in Los Angeles, California

1985
April 30 – “1712 Overture” by [P.D.Q. Bach] Peter Schickele (1935-2024) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

September 11 – William Alwyn (1905-1985) died in Southwold, England

October 13Requiem by John Rutter (1945-) was first performed in Dallas, Texas

1986
Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) completed Four Irish Dances, op. 126

January 22 – Ilse Fromm-Michaels (1888-1986) died in Detmold, Germany

November 15 – Alexandre Tansman (1897-1986) died in Paris, France

December 27 – Lars-Erik Larsson (1908-1986) died in Helsingborg, Sweden

1987
Krasimir Kyurkchiyski (1936-2011) completed Kalmankou Denkou (The Evening Gathering), for a cappella Bulgarian female choir, this year or before

February 14 – Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904-1987) died in Moscow, Russia

December 11Empire of the Sun, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

1988
November 28Atardecer (Dusk), for piano four hands, by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Madrid, Spain

1989
September 7 – Mikhail Goldstein (1917-1989) died in Hamburg, Germany

September 30 – Virgil Thomson (1896-1989) died in New York, New York

December 20Born on the Fourth of July, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

1970s

1990s

Classical Music Timeline: 1970s

This is one 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.

1970
June 4 – Two Pieces for cello and piano by Anton Webern (1883-1945) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 16 – Heino Eller (1887-1970) died in Tallinn, Estonia

July 4 – Sinfonietta for String Orchestra by William Alwyn (1905-1985) was first performed in Cheltenham, England

1971
February 8King Lear, with film score (op. 137) by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), was released

March 1 – Thomas Adès (1971-) was born in London, England

April 6 – Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) died in New York, New York

1972
Robert Farnon (1917-2005) completed Colditz March

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) completed Pelimannit (“The Fiddlers”), for string orchestra

Annette Bartholdy (1972-) was born in Bern, Switzerland

January 8 – Symphony No. 15 in A major, op. 141 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

March 2 – Sonata for String Orchestra by William Walton (1902-1983) was first performed in Perth, Australia

April 3 – Ferde Grofé (1892-1972) died in Santa Monica, California

October 5A Ring of Time by Dominick Argento (1927-2019) was first performed in Minneapolis, Minnesota

October 15 – Symphony No. 10 in F♯ major (Cooke II) by Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was first performed in London, England

October 18Cantus Arcticus, Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) was first performed in Oulu, Finland

1973
Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) completed Concerto for Harp and String Orchestra, op. 267

February 25 – Amanda Harberg (1973-) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 21 – Lera Auerbach (1973-) was born in Chelyabinsk, Russia

1974
February 15 – Kurt Atterberg (1887-1974) died in Stockholm, Sweden

April 12Snowflakes Are Dancing, with music by Claude Debussy as electronically realized by Isao Tomita (1932-2016), was released

November 15 – String Quartet No. 15 in E♭ minor, op. 144 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1975
AprilPictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky as electronically realized by Isao Tomita (1932-2016) was released

May 18 – Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) died in Woodbury, Connecticut

August 9 – Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) died in Moscow, Russia

September 5Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun by Claude Debussy and Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky as electronically realized by Isao Tomita (1932-2016) was released

1976
December 4 – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) died in Aldeburgh, England

1977
Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) completed Sonatina para dos Muñecas (Sonatina for two Puppets), for piano four hands

March 14 – Gyula Dávid (1913-1977) died in Budapest, Hungary

May 25Star Wars, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

JuneThe Beatles Concerto, for two pianos and orchestra, by John Rutter (1945-) was first performed in London, England

September 3Marjatta, Lowly Maiden, a Finnish Mystery Play, by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) was first performed in Espoo, Finland

September 13 – Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977) died in Nether Wallop, Hampshire, England

October 23 – Piano Quartet by William Bolcom (1938-) was first performed in New York, New York

November 14 – Richard Addinsell (1904-1977) died in London, England

November 16Close Encounters of the Third Kind, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

1978
Hanget soi (“Singing Snow”), for children’s chorus, by Heikki Sarmanto (1939-) [Arranged by Auvo Sarmanto (1935-)] was published

January 29 – Peter Schickele (1935-2024) [P.D.Q. Bach] completed “Twelve Quite Heavenly Songs”

March 27A la busca del más allá “In search of the beyond” by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Houston, Texas

May 1 – Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) died in Moscow, Russia

December 3 – William Grant Still (1895-1978) died in Los Angeles, California

December 10Superman, with film score by John Williams (1932-), was released

1979
April 10 – Nino Rota (1911-1979) died in Rome, Italy

September 7 – Peter Schickele (1935-2024) [P.D.Q. Bach] completed “Liebeslieder Polkas”

October 1 – Roy Harris (1898-1979) died in Santa Monica, California

December 7Star Trek: The Motion Picture, with film score by Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2004), was released

December 30 – Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) died in New York, New York

1960s

1980s

Classical Music Timeline: 1960s

This is one 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.

1960
James Moody (1907-1995) completed Little Suite for Harmonica and Orchestra

February 9 – Ernst von Dohnányi (1877-1960) died in New York, New York

May 8 – Hugo Alfvén (1872-1960) died in Falun, Sweden

October 2 – String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, op. 110 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1961
January 21Gloria by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

February 20 – Percy Grainger (1882-1961) died in White Plains, New York

October 1 – Symphony No. 12 in D minor, op. 112, “The Year 1917” by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Samara, Russia

October 22Atmosphères by György Ligeti (1923-2006) was first performed in Donaueschingen, Germany

October 29 – Paul Barnes (1961-) was born in Lima, Ohio

December 30 – Symphony No. 4 in C minor, op. 43 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

1962
William Grant Still (1895-1978) completed Vignettes, for oboe, bassoon, and piano

Thomas Bloch [aka Johann Julius Sontag von Holt Sombach] (1962-) was born in Colmar, France

January 29 – Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) died in New York, New York

December 31 – Jennifer Higdon (1962-) was born in Brooklyn, New York

1963
Timothy Brock (1963-) was born in the USA [date and location unknown]

January 30 – Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) died in Paris, France

March 8Variations on a Theme by Hindemith by William Walton (1902-1983) was first performed in London, England

October 3 – Violin Concerto, op. 30 by Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983) was first performed in New York, New York

1964
Nino Rota (1911-1979) completed 15 Preludes for piano

November 20 – String Quartet No. 9 in E♭ major, op. 117 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

November 20 – String Quartet No. 10 in A♭ major, op. 118 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

1965
March 14Requiem by György Ligeti (1923-2006) was first performed in Stockholm, Sweden

June 18 – George Melachrino (1909-1965) died in London, England

July 15Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), was first performed in New York, New York

1966
Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) completed Four Cornish Dances, op. 91

January 20 – Ralph Greaves (1889-1966) died in Tonbridge, Kent, England

March 19 – Symphony No. 3, op. 57 by Ruth Gipps (1921-1999) was first performed in London, England

November 28 – Vittorio Giannini (1903-1966) died in New York, New York

1967
Rudolf Barshai (1924-2010) completed the arrangement of String Quartet No. 8 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), approved by the composer, and known as the Chamber Symphony, op. 110a

March 6 – Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967) died in Budapest, Hungary

July 30Concierto Madrigal by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Los Angeles, California

October 22Lontano by György Ligeti (1923-2006) was first performed in Donaueschingen, Germany

November 18Concierto Andaluz by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in San Antonio, Texas

1968
March 16 – Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968) died in Beverly Hills, California

April 15 – Borys Lyatoshynsky (1895-1968) died in Kyiv, Ukraine

May 30Anadyomene (Adoration of Aphrodite) by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1929-2016) was first performed in Helsinki, Finland

1969
March 6 – Trombone Concerto in C major by Nino Rota (1911-1979) was first performed in Milan, Italy

September 29 – Symphony No. 14 in G minor, op. 135 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1950s

1970s

Classical Music Timeline: 1950s

This is one 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.

1950
Gyula Dávid (1913-1977) completed the Viola Concerto

January 6 – Piano Concerto in C♯ minor, FP 146 by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

March 1 – Cello Sonata in C major, op. 119 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

April 3 – Kurt Weill (1900-1950) died in New York, New York

May 22Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss (1864-1949) was first performed in London, England

1951
Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) completed The Phantom Regiment

April 14English Dances, op. 27 by Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) was first performed in London, England

August 21 – Constant Lambert (1905-1951) died in London, England

October 23 – Symphony No. 3 in B minor by Borys Lyatoshynsky (1895-1968) was first performed in Kyiv, Ukraine

1952
January 26Taras Bulba, ballet in four acts, op. 92 by Reinhold Glière (1875-1956) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

May 3 – Romance in D♭ major for harmonica and orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was first performed in New York, New York

July 13 – Alla Pavlova (1952-) was born in Vinnytsia, Ukraine

October 11 – Symphony No. 7 in C♯ minor, op. 131 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

December 23 – 24 Preludes and Fugues, for solo piano, op. 87 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1953
Heino Eller (1887-1970) completed Five Pieces for String Orchestra

January 14 – Symphony No. 7, “Sinfonia Antartica”, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was first performed in Manchester, England

March 5 – Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) died in Moscow, Russia

April 11 – Concerto Grosso No. 2 for string orchestra by Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) was first performed in London, England

August 22Soleriana by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Berlin, Germany

November 13 – String Quartet No. 5 in B♭ major, op. 92 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

December 17 – Symphony No. 10 in E minor, op. 93 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1954
Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) completed The First Day of Spring

February 12The Stone Flower, ballet, op. 118 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

March 5 – Jack Stamp (1954-) was born in College Park, Maryland

April 3 – Elisabetta Brusa (1954-) was born in Milan, Italy

May 19 – Charles Ives (1874-1954) died in New York, New York

November 6 – Festive Overture in A major, op. 96 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

November 8 – Concertino in A minor for two pianos, op. 94 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

November 8 – Tarantella for Two Pianos by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

1955
January 15From Jewish Folk Poetry, op. 79 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) received its first public performance in Saint Petersburg, Russia

May 4 – George Enescu (1881-1955) died in Paris, France

October 31 – Symphony No. 2, “Mysterious Mountain”, op. 132 by Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) was first performed in Houston, Texas

1956
April 30 – Sextet in B♭ for piano and winds, op. 6 by Gordon Jacob (1895-1984) was first performed in London, England

June 23 – Reinhold Glière (1875-1956) died in Moscow, Russia

August 30 – Aita Donostia (1886-1956) died in Lecároz, Navarre, Spain

September 5 – Piano Concerto No. 4 in B♭ major for the left hand, op. 53 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Berlin, Germany

October 17 – Symphony No. 4 in C major, op. 54 by Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904-1987) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

December 1Candide, operetta with music by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), was first performed in New York, New York

December 27Spartacus, ballet by Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1957
Lars-Erik Larsson (1908-1986) completed Concertino for Clarinet and String Orchestra, op. 45, no. 3

Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) completed Commonwealth Christmas Overture, op. 64

January 26Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) received its first concert performance in New York, New York

May 10 – Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, op. 102, (Piano Concerto No. 2) by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

June 18 – Sonata for Flute and Piano, FP 164 by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) was first performed in Strasbourg, France

September 20 – Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) died in Järvenpää, Finland

September 26West Side Story, musical with music by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), was first performed in New York, New York

October 30 – Symphony No. 11 in G minor, “The Year 1905”, op. 103 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

November 4 – Joseph Canteloube (1879-1957) died in Grigny, France

November 4 – Elena Kats-Chernin (1957-) was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

November 29 – Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) died in Los Angeles, California

1958
Vittorio Giannini (1903-1966) completed Symphony No. 3 for symphonic band

Alec Wilder (1907-1980) completed Woodwind Quintet No. 3

March 5Fantasía para un gentilhombre, concerto for guitar and orchestra, by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in San Francisco, California

August 21 – Stevan Hristić (1885-1958) died in Belgrade, Serbia

August 26 – Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) died in London, England

December 4 – Symphonie de danses by Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur (1908-2002) was first performed in Paris, France

1959
Trevor Duncan (1924-2005) completed The Girl from Corsica

Veljo Tormis (1930-2017) completed Overture No. 2

February 12 – George Antheil (1900-1959) died in New York, New York

July 15 – Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) died in Portland, Oregon

August 26 – Symphony No. 4 by William Alwyn (1905-1985) was first performed in London, England

August 28 – Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959) died in Liestal, Switzerland

November 16The Sound of Music, musical with music by Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) and lyrics by Oscar Hammarstein II (1895-1960) premiered in New York, New York

November 17 – Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) died in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1940s

1960s

Classical Music Timeline: 1940s

This is one 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.

1940
Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904-1987) completed The Comedians, op. 26

June 11 – Divertimento for string orchestra, Sz. 113 BB 118 by Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was first performed in Basel, Switzerland

July 1The Sea Hawk, with film score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957), was released

November 9Concierto de Aranjuez, for guitar and orchestra, by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Barcelona, Spain

November 16 – Violin Concerto in D minor by Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

December 3 – Leokadiya Kashperova (1872-1940) died in Moscow, Russia

December 9 – Sextet for Piano and Winds (1939 revision), FP 100 by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) was first performed in Paris, France

December 26 – Symphony No. 4, “Folk Song Symphony”, by Roy Harris (1898-1979) was first performed in Cleveland, Ohio

1941
January 3 – Symphonic Dances, op. 45 by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

January 10 – Frank Bridge (1879-1941) died in Eastbourne, England

February 7 – Violin Concerto, op. 14 by Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 24 – King Lear, with incidental music (op. 58a) by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

April 17 – Adolphus Hailstork (1941-) was born in Rochester, New York

June 21Masquerade Suite by Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

June 26Warsaw Concerto by Richard Addinsell (1904-1977) premiered in the film Dangerous Moonlight

1942
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) completed Song of the Brave, for tenor and piano, op. 89, no. 2

March 5 – Symphony No. 7, “Leningrad”, by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Samara, Russia (Kuybyshev at that time)

April 16 – Second Essay for Orchestra, op. 17 by Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was first performed in New York, New York

June 11 – Geoffrey Toye (1889-1942) died in London, England

June 18 – Paul McCartney (1942-) was born in Liverpool, England

December 4A Ceremony of Carols, op. 28 by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was first performed (in its final form) in London, England

December 9Gayane, ballet by Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978) was first performed in Perm, Russia

1943
March 12Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was first performed in Cincinnati, Ohio

March 28 – Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) died in Beverly Hills, California

June 24 – Symphony No. 5 in D major by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was first performed in London, England

November 4 – Symphony No. 8 in C minor, op. 65 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

1944
Percy Grainger (1882-1961) completed the orchestration of La Vallée des cloches (”Valley of the Bells”) from Miroirs by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

January 28 – Symphony No. 1, “Jeremiah”, by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was first performed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

April 16Concierto de estío, for violin and orchestra, by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Lisbon, Portugal

May 7Our Town, music from the film score, by Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

May 8 – Ethel Smyth (1858-1944) died in Woking, England

June 7Gran Marcha de los Subsecretarios (“Grand March of the Subsecretaries”), for piano four hands, by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Madrid, Spain

August – Kaljo Raid (1921-2005) completed Symphony No. 1

October 30Appalachian Spring, ballet by Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was first performed in Washington, D.C.

October 31Sebastian, ballet by Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007) was first performed in New York, New York

December 1 – Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 123 by Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

December 27 – Amy Beach (1867-1944) died in New York, New York

December 30 – Piano Sonata No. 8 in B♭ major, op. 84 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

1945
Suite from Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss (1864-1949) was arranged by Artur Rodziński (1892-1958)

January 13 – Symphony No. 5 in B♭ major, op. 100 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

April 9Girl No. 217, with film score by Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978), was released

August 2 – Emil von Reznicek (1860-1945) died in Berlin, Germany

September 15 – Anton Webern (1883-1945) died in Mittersill, Austria

September 24 – John Rutter (1945-) was born in London, England

September 26 – Béla Bartók (1881-1945) died in New York, New York

October 12 – Symphony No. 3, H. 299 by Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

November 3 – Symphony No. 9 in E♭ major, op. 70 by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

November 21Cinderella, ballet, op. 87 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

November 30 – Symphony No. 4, H. 305 by Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

December 17À l’ombre de Torre Bermeja (“In the Shadow of the Crimson Tower”) by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Madrid, Spain

December 17A Stopwatch and an Ordnance Map, for male chorus, brass, and drums, op. 15 by Samuel Barber (1910-1981) was first performed in New York, New York

1946
Twenty-Four Preludes, op. 38 by Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904-1987) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

February 8 – Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119, BB 127 by Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 11 – The Unanswered Question (A Cosmic Landscape), for Trumpet, Flute Quartet, and String Orchestra, by Charles Ives (1874-1954) was first performed in New York, New York

October 16 – Granville Bantock (1868-1946) died in London, England

October 18 – Symphony No. 3 by Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

October 23 – Violin Sonata No. 1 in F minor, op. 80 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

November 14 – Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) died in Alta Gracia, Argentina

November 27Cinco piezas infantiles (“Five children’s pieces”), for orchestra, by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999) was first performed in Madrid, Spain

December 6 – Maximilian Steinberg (1883-1946) died in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1947
January 8 – Piano Concerto, op. 44 by Richard Arnell (1917-2009) was first performed in New York, New York

February 15 – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 35 by Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) was first performed in St. Louis, Missouri

February 15 – John Adams (1947-) was born in Worcester, Massachusetts

March 5 – Alfredo Casella (1883-1947) died in Rome, Italy

June 14 – Michael Mauldin (1947-) was born in Port Arthur, Texas

August 20 – Concerto for Bassoon and Strings with Percussion by Gordon Jacob (1895-1984) was first performed in London, England

October 23Starlight Roof Waltz by George Melachrino (1909-1965) was first performed in London, England

November 12Flourish, Mighty Land, cantata for chorus and orchestra, op. 114 by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

November 29The Legend of Ohrid, ballet by Stevan Hristić (1885-1958) was first performed in Belgrade, Serbia

1948
William Grant Still (1895-1978) completed Miniatures, for flute, oboe, and piano

January 21 – Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948) died in Venice, Italy

February 10 – Symphony No. 6 “after Delacroix” by George Antheil (1900-1959) was first performed in San Francisco, California

April 21 – Symphony No. 6 in E minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was first performed in London, England

May 4Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

June 27 – George Templeton Strong (1856-1948) died in Geneva, Switzerland

October 29 – Violin Concerto in C major, op. 48 by Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904-1987) was first performed in Moscow, Russia

October 30The Red Pony, suite from the film score, by Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was first performed in Houston, Texas

1949
Clive Richardson (1909-1998) completed Beachcomber

Robert Farnon (1917-2005) completed How Beautiful is Night

January 14 – Joaquín Turina (1882-1949) died in Madrid, Spain

July 18 – Vítězslav Novák (1870-1949) died in Skuteč, Czech Republic

September 8 – Richard Strauss (1864-1949) died in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

September 11 – Henri Rabaud (1873-1949) died in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

December 2Turangalîla-Symphonie by Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was first performed in Boston, Massachusetts

1930s

1950s

Tucson Classical Music Performances 2025

Here’s a comprehensive list of live classical music performances in Tucson for the year 2025 where the program of composers and works has been published. I will keep this Excel document regularly updated. Please post a comment if anything should be added or changed.

I’ve included a column called “Dave’s Faves” which notes the works I am already familiar with and that I highly recommend. This is subjective, of course, but I hope this will help some of you in deciding which concerts to attend.

Happy Listening!

Link below is an Excel file (.xlsx).
Last Updated: February 5, 2025

Tucson Classical Music Performances 2025

Click here for 2024 concerts.


Music for Listeners

Music for Listeners is a series of short courses for high school students and adults presenting the works of composers from a listening enjoyment rather than a music theory perspective. Each course presents the life and music of a composer chronologically and is taught by lifelong classical music enthusiast David Oesper.


Classical Music Exploration Club

If you live in the Tucson metro area and would like to get together each month to listen to and discuss recordings of favorite classical music pieces we love and would like to introduce to others, I hope you will consider joining:

Tucson Exploring Classical Music


Sources
Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Arizona Friends of Chamber Music
University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra
Tucson Repertory Orchestra
Civic Orchestra of Tucson
Saint Andrew’s Bach Society
Arizona Early Music
True Concord, Voices & Orchestra
Arizona Opera
Helios Ensemble
Tucson Masterworks Chorale