Classical Music Timeline: 1850s

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.

1850
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) completed Symphony in A major

September 21 – Hans Sitt (1860-1922) was born in Prague, Czech Republic

November 17 – String Quintet in C major, D. 956, op. posth. 163, by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1851
February 6 – Symphony No. 3 in E♭ major, op. 97, “Rhenish”, by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Düsseldorf, Germany

March 27 – Vincent d’Indy (1851-1931) was born in Paris, France

1852
Robert Schumann (1810-1856) completed his final revision of the Symphonic Etudes, op. 13, for piano

March 14 – Manfred Overture, op. 115, by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

November 21 – Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909) was born in Villarreal, Spain

1853
March 6 – Prelude, Act 1, from the opera La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was first performed in Venice, Italy

May 15 – The 2nd version of Symphony No. 4 in D minor, op. 120 (much preferred by Clara Schumann and most often performed today) by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Düsseldorf, Germany

1854
February 23 – Les préludes, S. 97, symphonic poem by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was first performed in Weimar, Germany

February 27 – Robert Schumann (1810-1856) attempted to drown himself in the Rhine River and, after being rescued, committed himself to a sanatorium in the Endenich quarter of Bonn, Germany, remaining there for the rest of his life.

July 3 – Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) was born in Hukvaldy, Czech Republic

September 1 – Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921) was born in Siegburg, Germany

1855
January 20 – Ernest Chausson (1855-1899) was born in Paris, France

February 17 – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E♭ major, S. 124, by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was first performed in Weimar, Germany

May 12 – Anatoly Lyadov (1855-1914) was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia

June 13 – Overture to the opera I vespri siciliani by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was first performed in Paris, France

December 3 – Piano Trio in G minor, op. 15, by Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) was first performed in Prague, Czech Republic

1856
Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) completed the orchestral version of Valse-Fantaisie, in B minor

May 26 – George Templeton Strong (1856-1948) was born in New York, New York

July 29 – Robert Schumann (1810-1856) died in Bonn, Germany

1857
January 7 – Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125, by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was first performed in Weimar, Germany

February 15 – Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) died in Berlin, Germany

June 2 – Edward Elgar (1857-1934) was born in Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, England

September 5 – A Faust Symphony, S. 108, by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was first performed in Weimar, Germany

1858
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) completed Piano Concerto No. 1 in D major, op. 17

April 22 – Ethel Smyth (1858-1944) was born in Sidcup, England

November 24 – Tritsch-Tratsch Polka in A major, op. 214, by Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1859
January 22 – Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, op. 15, by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was first performed in Hanover, Germany

November 19 – Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov (1859-1935) was born in Gatchina, Russia

December 2 – Ave Maria, in F major, op. 12, by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was first performed in Hamburg, Germany

1840s

1860s

Classical Music Timeline: 1840s

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.

1840
May 7 – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was born in Votkinsk, Russia

September 30 – Johan Svendsen (1840-1911) was born in Oslo, Norway

1841
January 18 – Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894) was born in Ambert, France

March 31 – Symphony No. 1 in B♭ major, op. 38, “Spring”, by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

September 8 – Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) was born in Nelahozeves, Czech Republic

October 17 – Symphony No. 5 in B♭ major, D. 485, by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

December 6 – The 1st version of Symphony No. 4 in D minor, op. 120 (much preferred by Johannes Brahms) by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

1842
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) completed Symphony No. 1 in C minor, op. 32

March 3 – Symphony No. 3 in A minor, op. 56, “Scottish”, by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

March 9 – Sinfonia from the opera Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was first performed in Milan, Italy

May 12 – Jules Massenet (1842-1912) was born in Saint-Étienne, France

December 9Ruslan and Lyudmila, opera by Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857), was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1843
January 8 – Piano Quintet in E♭ major, op. 44 by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

June 15 – Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) was born in Bergen, Norway

1844
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, op. 58

February 21 – Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) was born in Lyon, France

March 10 – Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908) was born in Pamplona, Spain

March 18 – Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) was born in Tikhvin, Russia

1845
Charles Auguste de Bériot (1802-1870) completed the Violin Concerto No. 8 in D major, op. 99

Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) completed Capriccio brillante on the Jota aragonesa, Spanish Overture No. 1

March 13 – Violin Concerto in E minor, op. 64, by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

May 12 – Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) was born in Pamiers, France

December 4 – Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 54 by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Dresden, Germany

1846
November 5 – Symphony No. 2 in C major, op. 61 by Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

1847
Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) completed Symphony No. 3 in G minor, op. 36

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Waltz in C♯ minor, op. 64, no. 2

November 4 – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) died in Leipzig, Germany

1849
Robert Schumann (1810-1856) completed the Romances and Ballads, op. 75, for SATB choir a cappella

March – Robert Schumann (1810-1856) completed the Romances, op. 69, for female voices (SSAA) a cappella

March – Robert Schumann (1810-1856) completed the Romances, op. 91, for female SSAA choir a cappella

October 17 – Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) died in Paris, France

November 19 – Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D. 417, “Tragic”, by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

December 8 – Sinfonia from the opera Luisa Miller by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was first performed in Naples, Italy

1830s

1850s

Classical Music Timeline: 1830s

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.

1831
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Étude in C minor, op. 10, no. 12, “Revolutionary”

1832
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Three Nocturnes, op. 9

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Étude in E major, op. 10, no. 3, “Tristesse”

May 14 – Overture to The Hebrides, in B minor, op. 26, by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was first performed in London, England

1833
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Four Mazurkas, op. 17

May 7 – Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was born in Hamburg, Germany

November 12 – Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1834
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Fantasie Impromptu in C♯ minor, op. 66

November 23Harold in Italy, op. 16, H. 68, by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) was first performed in Paris, France

1835
October 9 – Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) was born in Paris, France

November 9 – Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 7, by Clara Schumann (1819-1896) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

1836
Robert Schumann (1810-1856) completed Fantasie in C major, op. 17

January 30 – Octet for Strings in E♭ major, op. 20, by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

December 9A Life for the Tsar, opera, by Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) was first performed in Saint Petersburg, Russia

1837
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Étude in C minor, op. 25, no. 12, “Ocean”

January 2 – Mily Balakirev (1837-1910) was born in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

June 23 – Ernest Guiraud (1837-1892) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana

1838
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Prelude in A minor, op. 28, no. 2

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Prelude in E minor, op. 28, no. 4

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) completed Scenes from Childhood, op. 15

January 6 – Max Bruch (1838-1920) was born in Cologne, Germany

October 25 – Georges Bizet (1838-1875) was born in Paris, France

1839
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Prelude in D♭ major, op. 28, no. 15, “Raindrop”

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Prelude in C minor, op. 28, no. 20

March 21 – Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 “The Great” by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was first performed in Leipzig, Germany

March 21 – Modest Mussorgsky (1839-1881) was born in Karevo, Russia

1820s

1840s

Classical Music Timeline: 1820s

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.

1820
December – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Quartettsatz (Movement for String Quartet) in C minor, D. 703

1821
October 16 – Franz Doppler (1821-1883) was born in Lviv, Ukraine

1822
December 10 – César Franck (1822-1890) was born in Liège, Belgium

1823
January 27 – Édouard Lalo (1823-1892) was born in Lille, France

1824
March 2 – Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) was born in Litomyšl, Czech Republic

September 4 – Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) was born in Ansfelden, Austria

1825
April – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Ave Maria, op. 52, no. 6

October 25 – Johann Strauss II (1825-1899) was born in Vienna, Austria

1826
August 26 – Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream in E major, op. 21 by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was first performed in Berlin, Germany

October – Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed String Quartet No. 16 in F major, op. 135

1827
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Four Impromptus, op. 90 (D. 899)

March 26 – Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) died in Vienna, Austria

November – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Piano Trio in E♭ major, D. 929

1828
March 23 – String Quartet No. 16 in F major, op. 135 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

May – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Three Piano Pieces, D. 946

November 19 – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) died in Vienna, Austria

December 14 – Symphony No. 6 in C major, D. 589 by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1829
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) completed Étude in C major, op. 10, no. 1, “Waterfall”

October 4 – Mass No. 6 in E♭ major, D. 950 by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1810s

1830s

Classical Music Timeline: 1810s

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.

1810
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Piano Sonata No. 26 in E♭ major, op. 81a, “Les Adieux”

March 1 – Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) was born in Żelazowa Wola, Poland

June 8 – Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was born in Zwickau, Saxony, Germany

1811
January 13 – Piano Concerto No. 5 in E♭ major, op. 73 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

October 22 – Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was born in Raiding, Austria

1813
May 22 – Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was born in Leipzig, Germany

October 9 – Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) was born in Le Roncole, Italy

October 28 – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Symphony No. 1 in D major, D. 82

December 8 – Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1814
February 27 – Symphony No. 8 in F major, op. 93 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1815
July 19 – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Symphony No. 3 in D major, D. 200

1819
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) completed Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667 “Trout”

September 13 – Clara Wieck [later Schumann] (1819-1896) was born in Leipzig, Germany

1800s

1820s

Classical Music Timeline: 1800s

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.

1800
March 28 – Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major, Hob. VIIe/1 by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

April 2 – Symphony No. 1 in C major, op. 21 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1801
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Piano Sonata No. 14 in C♯ minor, op. 27, no. 2 “Moonlight”

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Romance No. 1 in G major for violin and orchestra, op. 40

1802
February 20 – Charles Auguste de Bériot (1802-1870) was born in Leuven, Belgium

1803
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) left uncompleted his last composition, the String Quartet No. 68 in D minor, op. 103, Hob. III:83

April 5 – Symphony No. 2 in D major, op. 36 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria
April 5 – Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, op. 37 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

December 11 – Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) was born in La Côte-Saint-André, France

1804
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, op. 53 “Waldstein”

May 31 – Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) was born in Paris, France

June 1 – Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) was born in Novospasskoye, Russia

1805
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, op. 57 “Appassionata”

April 7 – Symphony No. 3 in E♭ major, op. 55 “Eroica” by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

May 28 – Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) died in Madrid, Spain

1806
March 29 – Leonore Overture No. 3 in C major, from the opera Fidelio, op. 72, by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

December 23 – Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1807
March – Symphony No. 4 in B♭ major, op. 60 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1808
December 22 – Symphony No. 5 in C minor, op. 67 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1809
February 3 – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was born in Hamburg, Germany

May 31 – Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) died in Vienna, Austria

1790s

1810s

Classical Music Timeline: 1790s

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.

1791
March 11 – Symphony No. 96 in D major, Hob. I/96 “Miracle” by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was first performed in London, England

June 23Ave verum corpus, motet in D major, K. 618, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was first performed in Baden bei Wien, Austria

December 5 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) died in Vienna, Austria

1792
February 29 – Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) was born in Pesaro, Italy

March 23 – Symphony No. 94 in G major, Hob. I/94 “Surprise” by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was first performed in London, England

1793
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Piano Sonata “Un piccolo divertimento” (Variations) in F minor, Hob XVII: 6

1795
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) wrote Rondo a Capriccio in G major, now known as “Rage Over a Lost Penny”, op. 129

February 2 – Symphony No. 102 in B♭ major, Hob. I/102 by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was first performed in London, England

1797
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed String Quartet in G major, op. 76, no. 1, Hob. III:75

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed String Quartet in C major, op. 76, no. 3, Hob. III:77 “Emperor”

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed String Quartet in B♭ major, op. 76, no. 4, Hob. III:78 “Sunrise”

January 31 – Franz Schubert (1797-1828) was born in Vienna, Austria

1798
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Romance No. 2 in F major for violin and orchestra, op. 50

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, op. 13 “Pathétique”

1780s

1800s

Classical Music Timeline: 1780s

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.

1781
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Violin Sonata No. 25 in F major, K. 377 (374e)

1782
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 73 in D major, Hob. I:73 “La Chasse”

1783
March 23 – Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 “Haffner”, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was first performed in its final form in Vienna, Austria

November 4 – Symphony No. 36 in C major, K. 425 “Linz”, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was first performed in Linz, Austria

1785
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 83 in G minor, Hob. I/83 “The Hen”

March 9 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467

1786
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 82 in C major, Hob. I/82 “The Bear”

March 2 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488

May 1The Marriage of Figaro, K. 492, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was first performed in Vienna, Austria

1787
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 88 in G major, Hob. I/88

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed String Quartet No. 37 in C major, op. 50, no. 2, Hob. III/45

January 19 – Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504 “Prague”, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was first performed in Prague, Czech Republic

October 29Don Giovanni, K. 527, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was first performed in Prague, Czech Republic

1788
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed String Quartet No. 43 in G major, op. 54, no. 1, Hob. III:58

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) completed Sinfonia in C minor, G. 519

June 26 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Symphony No. 39 in E♭ major, K. 543

July 25 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550

1789
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 92 in G major, Hob. I/92 “Oxford”

1770s

1790s

Classical Music Timeline: 1770s

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.

1770
December 16 – Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was born in Bonn, Germany

1771
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Divertimento in E flat, K. 113

1772
Giovanni Battista Sammartini (1700?-1775) almost certainly completed Symphony in F Major (J-C 36) by this year, probably much earlier

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Symphony No. 45 in F♯ minor, Hob. I:45 “Farewell”

1773
April 16 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Symphony No. 27 in G major, K. 199/161b

October 5 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183/173dB

1775
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219

January 15 – Giovanni Battista Sammartini (1700?-1775) died in Milan, Italy

September 12 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216

1778
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) completed Piano Sonata in E minor, Hob. 16:34

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) completed Violin Sonata No. 21 in E minor, K. 304 (300c)

Before 1770

1780s

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

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) completed Puer natus in Bethlehem, for children’s chorus, cello, and organ, by this date

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

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