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 4 – Scenes 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 22 – Light Refracted by Jennifer Higdon (1962-) was first performed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2003
April 29 – Wild Swans, ballet by Elena Kats-Chernin (1957-) was first performed in Sydney, Australia
May 9 – Dreams 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 12 – The 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
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