February 23, 1924:
Lejaren Arthur Hiller, Jr. is born in New York, New York, USA only child of Lejaren A Hiller (born John Hiller), a photographer, artist, and writer, and Sarah Plummer, a model and dancer. The household will also include “35 cats and a pet monkey.”
April 18, 1945:
Lejaren Hiller (21) marries Elizabeth Halsey in Elkton, Maryland.
April 17, 1951:
Two works by Lejaren Hiller (27) are performed for the first time, in Waynesboro, Virginia: Piano Concerto and Suite for small orchestra. They are the first of Hiller’s music to be performed in public.
May 18, 1956:
The first of the Two Theatre Pieces by Lejaren Hiller (32) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
May 19, 1956:
The second of the Two Theatre Pieces by Lejaren Hiller (32) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
August 9, 1956:
The first three movements of Illiac Suite by Lejaren Hiller (32) and Leonard Isaacson are performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana. It is a string quartet composed with the Illiac computer at the University of Illinois.
April 3, 1957:
Incidental music to Strindberg’s play A Dream Play by Lejaren Hiller (33) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
March 12, 1958:
Incidental music to Kerr’s (after Aristophanes) play The Birds by Lejaren Hiller (34) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
March 18, 1959:
Incidental music to Leckel’s “electric theatre fantasy” by Lejaren Hiller (35) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
March 30, 1959:
Five Appalachian Ballads for voice and guitar by Lejaren Hiller (35) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
January 14, 1960:
Incidental music to Newton’s theatre piece Cuthbert Bound by Lejaren Hiller (36) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
December 6, 1960:
Divertimento for chamber ensemble by Lejaren Hiller (36) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
October 5, 1962:
Amplification for jazz band and tape by Lejaren Hiller (38) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
January 8, 1963:
Seven Electronic Studies for Two-Channel Tape by Lejaren Hiller (38) and Robert A. Baker is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
January 30, 1963:
Music for the film Spoon River, Illinois for two narrators and six instruments by Lejaren Hiller (38) is shown for the first time, over the airwaves of television station WCIA, Champaign, Illinois.
March 6, 1963:
Incidental music to Smalley’s play Man with the Oboe by Lejaren Hiller (39) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
December 8, 1963:
Computer Cantata by Lejaren Hiller (39) and Robert Baker is performed for the first time, in Urbana, Illinois. Three computers were involved. The text was made by the Illiac I, the score with the IBM-7090, and sounds were generated with the CSX-1 computer.
February 27, 1964:
Machine Music for piano, percussion, and tape by Lejaren Hiller (40) is performed for the first time, in Smith Music Hall of the University of Illinois.
March 25, 1964:
Two works by Lejaren Hiller (40) are performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana: a suite from his music to the film Time of the Heathen for chamber orchestra, and Nightmare Music for monaural tape. Also premiered is Concerto for brass for brass ensemble and timpani by Ben Johnston (38). It was performed in a version for piano four-hands in 1951.
May 9, 1964:
Scherzo for piano by Lejaren Hiller (40) is performed for the first time, in Chicago.
March 19, 1967:
Suite for two pianos and tape by Lejaren Hiller (43) is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
April 19, 1968:
An Avalanche for Pitchman, Prima Donna, Player Piano, Percussionist, and Pre-recorded Playback by Lejaren Hiller (44) to words of Parman is performed for the first time, at the University of Illinois, Urbana.
May 10, 1968:
Lejaren Hiller (44) writes to Jack McKenzie at the State University of New York at Buffalo, accepting his offer of appointment as Slee Professor of Composition.
August 19, 1968:
Computer Music for percussion and tape by Lejaren Hiller (44) and G. Allan O’Connor is performed for the first time, in New York.
April 12, 1969:
Twelve-Tone Variations for piano by Lejaren Hiller (43) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
April 19, 1969:
Piano Sonata no.5 by Lejaren Hiller (43) is performed for the first time, in New York.
May 16, 1969:
HPSCHD for 1-7 harpsichords and 1-51 tapes by John Cage (56) and Lejaren Hiller (45) is performed for the first time, in Assembly Hall of the University of Illinois at Urbana. The production includes seven harpsichords, 51 tapes, seven film projectors, and 80 slide projectors and lasts from 19:30 until midnight. Six of the seven harpsichord parts were created using the musical dice game of Mozart (†173) and the I Ching.
September 14, 1969:
Symphony no.2 by Lejaren Hiller (45) is performed for the first time, in Brockport, New York.
February 8, 1970:
Versions 1 and 4 of Algorithms I for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (45) are performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
February 20, 1970:
Three Rituals for two or four percussionists, film, and lights by Lejaren Hiller (45) is performed for the first time, in London.
May 8, 1970:
Piano Sonata no.4 by Lejaren Hiller (46) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo, 20 years after it was composed.
July 20, 1970:
Version 2 of Algorithms I for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (46) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 13, 1971:
Sonata no.3 for violin and piano by Lejaren Hiller (47) is performed for the first time, in Albany, New York.
September 25, 1971:
String Quartet no.5 in Quarter Tones by Lejaren Hiller (47) is performed for the first time, in Binghamton, New York.
February 10, 1972:
Rage Over the Lost Beethoven for piano, tape, and actors by Lejaren Hiller (47) to words of Parman is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
March 20, 1972:
A Cenotaph for two pianos by Lejaren Hiller (48) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
January 24, 1973:
String Quartet no.6 by Lejaren Hiller (48) is performed for the first time, in New York.
January 30, 1973:
A Triptych for Hieronymous for actors, Dancers, Projections, Tape, and Orchestra by Lejaren Hiller (48) to words of Smalley is performed for the first time, in Brockport, New York.
March 17, 1973:
Version 3 of Algorithms I for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (49) is performed for the first time, in Rochester, New York.
March 22, 1973:
String Quartet no.2 by Lejaren Hiller (49) is performed for the first time, in Zagreb, 22 years after it was composed.
July 6, 1973:
Jesse James for four solo voices and piano by Lejaren Hiller (49) to words of Benet, is performed for the first time, in Buffalo 23 years after it was composed.
December 10, 1973:
Sonata no.2 for violin and piano by Lejaren Hiller (49) is performed for the first time, in Warsaw.
April 15, 1975:
Malta for tuba and tape by Lejaren Hiller (51) is performed for the first time, in San Diego.
May 10, 1975:
Six Easy Pieces for violin and piano by Lejaren Hiller (51) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
July 10, 1975:
Piano Sonata no.1 by Lejaren Hiller (51) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo, 29 years after it was composed. Hiller revised it in 1968.
September 20, 1975:
A Portfolio for diverse performers and tapes by Lejaren Hiller (51) is performed for the first time, in Reykjavik.
October 5, 1975:
A Preview of Coming Attractions for orchestra by Lejaren Hiller (51) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
March 26, 1976:
String Quartet no.3 by Lejaren Hiller (50) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo 23 years after it was composed.
April 28, 1976:
Fantasy for three pianos by Lejaren Hiller (52) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo 25 years after it was composed.
June 9, 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.
July 3, 1976:
Midnight Carnival for a principal tape and an indeterminate number of subsidiary tapes and other events in an urban environment by Lejaren Hiller (52) is performed for the first time, in St. Louis.
November 19, 1976:
Two works are performed for the first time, at Baird Recital Hall in Buffalo: Sonata for violin and piano by Morton Feldman (50), 31 years after it was composed, and Trio for violin, cello, and piano by Lejaren Hiller (52), 29 years after it was composed.
April 28, 1977:
Sonata no.1 for violin and piano by Lejaren Hiller (53) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo 28 years after it was composed.
June 16, 1977:
Electronic Sonata for four-channel tape by Lejaren Hiller (53) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
October 6, 1977:
String Quartet no.1 by Lejaren Hiller (53) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo, 28 years after it was composed.
October 15, 1977:
Persiflage for flute, oboe, and percussion by Lejaren Hiller (53) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
December 1, 1977:
Ponteach for narrator and piano by Lejaren Hiller (53) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
January 10, 1978:
Sonata for cello and piano by Lejaren Hiller (53) is performed for the first time, in Rome, 23 years after it was composed.
June 30, 1978:
Diabelskie Skrzypce for string instrument and harpsichord by Lejaren Hiller (54) is performed for the first time, in Middleburg, the Netherlands.
July 1, 1978:
Piano Sonata no.6 by Lejaren Hiller (54) is performed for the first time, in Middleburg, the Netherlands.
February 11, 1980:
An Apotheosis for Archæopteryx for piccolo and berimbau by Lejaren Hiller (55) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
April 20, 1980:
Piano Sonata no.2 by Lejaren Hiller (56) is performed for the first time, in Albany, New York, 33 years after it was composed.
January 19, 1981:
Piano Sonata no.3 by Lejaren Hiller (56) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo, 31 years after it was composed.
January 16, 1982:
Quadrilateral for piano and tape by Lejaren Hiller (57) is performed for the first time, in Copenhagen.
January 23, 1982:
Minuet and Trio for six performers by Lejaren Hiller (57) is performed for the first time, in Antwerp.
September 20, 1982:
Incidental music for Smalley’s play Chang Fu, The Witch of Moon Mountain by Lejaren Hiller (58) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo. Also premiered are Hiller’s Children’s Suite for piano, 33 years after it was composed, Versions 1 and 2 of Hiller’s Algorithms II for nine instruments and tape, and the first two of the Three Compositions for tape.
June 18, 1983:
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.
September 6, 1984:
Two works by Lejaren Hiller (60) are performed for the first time, in Buffalo: Tetrahedron for harpsichord and Staircase Tango for piano.
March 17, 1985:
Expo ‘85 for multiple synthesizers by Lejaren Hiller (61), Charles Ames, and John Myhill is performed for the first time, in Tsukuba, Japan.
March 31, 1985:
The Fox Trots Again for chamber Ensemble by Lejaren Hiller (61) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
December 15, 1985:
Fast and Slow for saxophone quartet by Lejaren Hiller (61) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
April 19, 1986:
Version 1 of Algorithms III for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (62) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
June 16, 1986:
Version 3 of Algorithms III for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (62) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
April 29, 1987:
Version 2 of Algorithms III for nine instruments and tape by Lejaren Hiller (62) is performed for the first time, in Buffalo.
May 20, 1992:
Lejaren Hiller is admitted to Niagara Lutheran Nursing Home in Buffalo. He is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.
January 26, 1994:
Lejaren Arthur Hiller dies of a stroke in Niagara Lutheran Nursing Home in Buffalo, New York, USA, aged 69 years, eleven months, and three days.