2003
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11 January 2003 Passionen eines Lebens, a film about Sofia Gubaidulina (71), is shown for the first time, over ZDF/ARTE television in Germany.
19 January 2003 Duo for cello and piano by Richard Wernick (69) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
25 January 2003 Carnet de Venise for tape by Pierre Henry (75) is performed for the first time, in Nantes.
26 January 2003 Piano Trio: Voyage to a Fair Isle by Peter Maxwell Davies (68) is performed for the first time, in the Kongsberg Kirke, Kongsberg, Norway.
27 January 2003 Triptych for violin and piano by George Perle (87) is performed for the first time, in New York.
30 January 2003 Threnos for one, two, four, or eight bass clarinets and real (live) and virtual computer/ADAT with octophonic computer music by Larry Austin (72) is performed for the first time, at Merkin Concert Hall, New York.
1 February 2003 Two works by Henri Pousseur (73) are performed for the first time, in La-Chaux-de-Fonds: Reflets d’Arc-en-Ciel for violin and piano and Aiguillages au Carrefour des Immortels for 16 or 17 instrumental soloists.
2 February 2003 Lou Silver Harrison dies in Lafayette, Indiana while traveling to attend a concert of his music in Columbus, Ohio aged 85 years, eight months, and 19 days.
6 February 2003 Concerto for horn and orchestra by Samuel Adler (74) is performed for the first time, in Houston.
7 February 2003 Lamentate for piano and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (67) is performed for the first time, in the Tate Gallery, London.
12 February 2003 Peace Upon You, Jerusalem for women’s chorus by Arvo Pärt (67) to words of the Psalms, is performed for the first time, in New York.
17 February 2003 Mikis Theodorakis (77) addresses a rally in Athens protesting the impending invasion of Iraq by the United States.
20 February 2003 The Map for cello and orchestra by Tan Dun (45) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
22 February 2003 Canzona and Toccata for trumpet and organ by Robin Holloway (59) is performed for the first time, in Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow.
28 February 2003 On the Edge of Abyss for seven cellos and two waterphones by Sofia Gubaidulina (71) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
Elizabeth Full of Grace for chorus, Tibetan temple bowl, organ, and strings by John Tavener (59) to words of Mother Thekla is performed for the first time, in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.
1 March 2003 3 Vorspiele zu einer Insel for flute, violin, and percussion by Wolfgang Rihm (50) is performed for the first time, at the Morat-Institut, Freiburg im Breisgau.
5 March 2003 Medusa, a monodrama by William Bolcom (64), is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Stuttgart. See 26 June 2003.
6 March 2003 Requiem for four vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra by John Harbison (64) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
7 March 2003 May-Day for chorus by William Bolcom (64) is performed for the first time, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
9 March 2003 Sonata 1955 for violin and piano by Alfred Schnittke (†4) is performed for the first time, in London 48 years after it was composed.
12 March 2003 Vier Studien zu einem Klarinettenquintett by Wolfgang Rihm is performed for the first time, in Hotel Römerbad, Badenweiler, on the eve of the composer’s 51st birthday.
13 March 2003 Dance Patterns for two xylophones, two vibraphones, and two pianos by Steve Reich (66) is performed for the first time, in the Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels.
18 March 2003 Missa Parvula for treble chorus and organ by Peter Maxwell Davies (68) is performed for the first time, in Westminster Cathedral.
22 March 2003 Celestial Excursions, an opera by Robert Ashley (72) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in the Hebbel Theatre, Berlin.
A Few Words About Chekhov, a cycle for two solo voices and orchestra by Dominick Argento (75) to words of Chekhov and Knipper, is performed for the first time, in Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul, Minnesota. See 12 October 1996.
24 March 2003 Innocence by David Del Tredici (66) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York.
27 March 2003 Lavant-Gesänge, a cycle for alto and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (51) to words of Lavant, is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
28 March 2003 Day of Kindness, an opera by Bohuslav Martinu (†43) to words of Ribemont-Dessaignes after Ehrenburg, is performed for the first time, in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic 72 years after it was composed.
A second version of Gejagte Form for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (51) is performed for the first time, in Graz. See 13 April 1996.
Cello Concerto by Ned Rorem (79) is performed for the first time, in Kansas City.
United States for string quartet by Ned Rorem (79) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Space, New York.
A suite from the film The Hours by Philip Glass (66), in the form of a piano concerto, is performed for the first time, in Uihlein Hall, Milwaukee.
29 March 2003 Labyrinthe! for tape by Pierre Henry (75) is performed for the first time, at Radio France, Paris.
30 March 2003 Five Kurpian Songs op.75 for chorus by Henryk Górecki (69) is performed for the first time, in Warsaw. At the performance, Górecki receives the Polish Radio Music Award.
Faits divers for tape by Pierre Henry (75) is performed for the first time, at Radio France, Paris. Also premiered is Henry’s Duo for piano and tape, performed by the composer.
3 April 2003 Boston Concerto for orchestra by Elliott Carter (94) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
7 April 2003 John Adams (56) is awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his On the Transmigration of Souls. See 19 September 2002.
10 April 2003 Spring Music op.96 for two or more instruments by Robin Holloway (59) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
Inventing Flight for orchestra by William Bolcom (64) is performed for the first time, in North Carolina.
12 April 2003 Eight Memories in Watercolor for piano by Tan Dun (45) is performed for the first time, at the Kennedy Center, Washington.
13 April 2003 Piano Sonata no.2 by John Harbison (64) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
DNA for percussion quintet by Joan Tower (64) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
16 April 2003 Maya Atma for soprano, violin, and percussion by John Tavener (59) is performed for the first time, at Poole’s Center for the Arts.
17 April 2003 The Light of the End for orchestra by Sofia Gubaidulina (71) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Boston.
25 April 2003 A suite of music from Leonard Bernstein’s (†12) musical 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue arranged by Sid Ramin and Charlie Harmon is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
26 April 2003 Incandescent for string quartet by Joan Tower (64) is performed for the first time, in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.
Slip Knot, an opera by TJ Anderson (74) to words of Komunyakaa, is performed for the first time, at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
27 April 2003 Orpheus for chorus of treble voices by Dominick Argento (75) to words of O. Sitwell is performed for the first time, at the 92nd Street Y, New York.
30 April 2003 In Wartime for band by David Del Tredici (66) is performed for the first time, at the University of Texas, Austin.
My Father Knew Charles Ives for orchestra by John Adams (56) is performed for the first time, in Davies Hall, San Francisco.
1 May 2003 Concertino: Baroque Meditations for orchestra by Lukas Foss (80) is performed for the first time, in New York.
3 May 2003 Fire and Blood for violin and orchestra by Michael Daugherty (49) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Detroit.
4 May 2003 The Rhodora for chorus by William Bolcom (64) is performed for the first time, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
6 May 2003 ...brain ablaze...she howled aloud for one, two, or three piccolos and electronic sound generators by Roger Reynolds (68) is performed completely for the first time, in Munich.
11 May 2003 Butterfly Dreams for chorus by John Tavener (59) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Brighton.
13 May 2003 Mobile for tape by Pierre Henry (75) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
17 May 2003 Helen Frost-Jones Carter, wife of Elliott Carter (94), dies at the age of 95.
Insula felix for two vocal soloists, chorus, and chamber orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (51) is performed for the first time, in the Liederhalle, Stuttgart.
21 May 2003 Errol Morris’ film The Fog of War with music by Philip Glass (66) is shown for the first time, at Cannes.
22 May 2003 In principio for chorus and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (67) to words from the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Herz Jesu Kirche, Graz.
Wolfgang Rihm (51) receives the Ernst von Siemers Music Award in the Cuvilliestheater, Munich where his Stilles Stück 2 for baritone, horn, and strings to words of Fleming is performed for the first time.
Marching to Carcassonne for piano and twelve instruments by Alexander Goehr (70) is performed for the first time, in Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. Also premiered in Goehr’s 2 notes only for Ollie for eleven players.
Passing Strangers for chorus by Norman Dello Joio (90) is performed for the first time, in Mystic Beach, New York.
23 May 2003 Les Icare africains for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Henri Pousseur (73) is performed for the first time, in the Milan Cathedral.
24 May 2003 The Sound of a Voice, an opera by Philip Glass (66) to words of Hwang, is performed for the first time, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
27 May 2003 Luciano Berio dies in Rome following cancer surgery, aged 77 years, seven months, and three days.
29 May 2003 Of Rewaking for voice and orchestra by Elliott Carter (94) to words of Williams is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Chicago.
6 June 2003 Mother and Child for chorus by John Tavener (59) to words of Keeble is performed for the first time, in Salisbury.
13 June 2003 Violin Concerto by Shulamit Ran (53) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
22 June 2003 Seven Skies of Winter for flute/alto flute, oboe, horn, violin, viola, bassoon, and double bass by Peter Maxwell Davies (68) is performed for the first time, in St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney.
23 June 2003 Cambridge University confers a doctorate on John Adams (56).
In Praise of Bach for organ by Samuel Adler (75) is performed for the first time, in Cleveland.
26 June 2003 Medusa, a monodrama by William Bolcom (65), is staged for the first time, in Cincinnati. See 5 March 2003.
27 June 2003 The Veil of the Temple for soprano, chorus, and chamber ensemble by John Tavener (59) to words of various authors is performed for the first time, in Temple Church, London.
28 June 2003 A Seattle Overture by William Bolcom (65) is performed for the first time, to open Marian Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle.
1 July 2003 Interlude II for piano by Leon Kirchner (84) is performed for the first time, in London.
2 July 2003 Eight Bohemian Sketches for flute, clarinet, and piano by Karel Husa (81) is performed for the first time, at Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York.
3 July 2003 Piano Trio by Kevin Volans (53) is performed for the first time, in Bantry House, County Cork, Ireland.
4 July 2003 26 Orpheus Elegies (first part) for oboe, harp, and voice by Harrison Birtwistle (68) is performed for the first time, in the Town Hall, Cheltenham.
11 July 2003 Naxos Quartet no.2 for string quartet by Peter Maxwell Davies (68) is performed for the first time, in the Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham.
24 July 2003 Lament for Jerusalem for soprano, countertenor, chorus, and orchestra by John Tavener (59) to words of Rumi and the Bible is performed for the first time, in the Sydney Opera House.
26 July 2003 Games, Set I for piano by Bohuslav Martinu (†43) is performed for the first time, in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic.
Madame Mao, an opera by Bright Sheng (47) to words of Graham, is performed for the first time, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
3 August 2003 String Quartet no.4 by John Harbison (63) is performed for the first time, in La Jolla, California.
6 August 2003 Prelude to “Tristan” for piano by Hans Werner Henze (77) is performed for the first time, in Salzburg.
The Unquestioned Answer for flute, two violins, cello, and piano by Ned Rorem (79) is performed for the first time, in the Presbyterian Church of Binghamton, New York.
9 August 2003 Les Froissements des Ailes de Gabrielle for guitar and chamber ensemble by Brian Ferneyhough (60) is performed for the first time, in Brisbane.
10 August 2003 Ainadamar, an opera by Osvaldo Golijov (42) to words of Hwang, is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
11 August 2003 Levant-Gesänge, a cycle for voice and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (51) to words of Levant, is performed for the first time, in the Kleines Festspielhaus, Salzburg.
12 August 2003 L’Upupa und der Triumph der Sohnesliebe, an opera by Hans Werner Henze (77) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in Salzburg.
15 August 2003 Fento Songs II, a cycle for voice, violin, cello, and two guitars by Charles Wuorinen (65), is performed for the first time, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Also premiered is Morton Subotnick’s (70) Release for clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and computer generated sounds.
16 August 2003 Englische Balladen und Sonette for piano and cello by Hans Werner Henze (77) is performed for the first time, in the Wiener Saal, Salzburg.
18 August 2003 Cello Counterpoint for solo cello by Steve Reich (66) is performed for the first time, in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.
26 August 2003 Cucaraccia and Fugue for four violas by John Harbison (64) is performed for the first time, in Madison, Wisconsin. The composer plays one part. Also premiered is Harbison’s The Violist’s Notebook, Book II for solo viola.
27 August 2003 Unbenannt IV for organ and orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (51) is performed for the first time, in Lucerne.
4 September 2003 Europa nach dem letzten Regen, a cycle for three solo voices and orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (51), is performed for the first time, in the Semperoper, Dresden.
5 September 2003 Gordon Ware Binkerd dies at his home in Urbana, Illinois aged 87 years, three months, and 14 days.
13 September 2003 The City of Frankfurt presents the Theodor W. Adorno prize to Györgi Ligeti (80).
Wind Quintet by Wolfgang Rihm (51) is performed for the first time, in the Schweizerhof, Lucerne.
19 September 2003 Theseus Game for orchestra by Harrison Birtwistle (69) is performed for the first time, in Duisburg-Nord.
Concerto for violin and orchestra (The Red Violin) by John Corigliano (65) is performed for the first time, in Baltimore.
24 September 2003 Supernatural Songs for solo voice, percussion, and strings by John Tavener (59) to words of Yeats is performed for the first time, in Canterbury Cathedral.
26 September 2003 Gesangsstück for clarinet, violin, and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (51) is performed for the first time, in Warsaw.
27 September 2003 Fanfarria Real for orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (69) is performed for the first time, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
28 September 2003 Two psalms by Samuel Adler (75) are performed for the first time, in Iowa City, Iowa: Psalm 124 for chorus and organ, and Psalm 24 for chorus, brass, and organ.
2 October 2003 Pontalba, an opera by Thea Musgrave (75) to her own words, is performed for the first time, in New Orleans. It was commissioned by the New Orleans Opera to celebrate the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.
4 October 2003 Adagio for cello and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (69) is performed for the first time, in the Musikverein, Vienna.
6 October 2003 Chakra for percussion trio by Kevin Volans (54) is performed for the first time, in Oslo.
7 October 2003 Arthur Berger dies in Boston, aged 91 years, four months, and 22 days.
10 October 2003 Under the Sign of Scorpio for bayan and orchestra by Sofia Gubaidulina (71) is performed for the first time, in Stockholm.
Desert Steps for viola, cello, and two guitars by Kevin Volans (54) is performed for the first time, in Purcell Room, London.
11 October 2003 Passacaglia for violin and piano by Arvo Pärt (68) is performed for the first time, in Hannover.
The Ring Dance of the Nazarene for tenor, chorus, two flutes/piccolos, oboe/english horn, clarinet/E flat clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and African drum by Harrison Birtwistle (69) to words of Harsent, is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
12 October 2003 passi leggieri for Hardanger fiddle by Kevin Volans (54) is performed for the first time, in Oslo.
15 October 2003 Gogo no Eiko, Das verratene Meer, a Musikdrama by Hans Werner Henze (77) to words of Treichel after Mishima, is performed for the first time, in Suntory Hall, Tokyo.
Naxos Quartet no.3 for string quartet by Peter Maxwell Davies (69) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
Most Holy Mother of God for four solo voices by Arvo Pärt (68) is performed for the first time, at Durham University.
16 October 2003 Raise the Roof for timpani and orchestra by Michael Daugherty (49) is performed for the first time, in Symphony Hall, Detroit.
Paper Concerto for paper percussion and orchestra by Tan Dun (46) is performed for the first time, in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
18 October 2003 Cello Counterpoint for cello and tape or eight cellos by Steve Reich (67) is performed for the first time, in Urbana, Illinois.
19 October 2003 The Long Boat for mezzo-soprano and english horn by Charles Wuorinen (65) to words of Kunitz is performed for the first time, in the Guggenheim Museum, New York.
23 October 2003 Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan for soprano and orchestra by John Corigliano (65) is performed for the first time, in Minneapolis. See 15 March 2000.
24 October 2003 The Dharma at Big Sur for orchestra by John Adams (56) is performed for the first time, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
25 October 2003 Encounters for six optional voices and jazz ensemble by Gunther Schuller (77) is performed for the first time, in Jordan Hall, Boston.
December 1 for mezzo-soprano and chamber ensemble by John Harbison (64) to words of Milosz is performed for the first time, in Tallahassee, Florida.
The Eleventh String Quartet of William Bolcom (65) is performed for the first time, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
27 October 2003 Sphäre um Sphäre for chamber orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (51) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
29 October 2003 Four Colors for clarinet and piano by Ned Rorem (80) is performed for the first time, in New York.
2 November 2003 We do not live to ourselves for chorus by John Harbison (64) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in Boston.
10 November 2003 The Challenge of the Muse for soprano, tenor, and orchestra by Samuel Adler (75) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.
11 November 2003 Male über Male for clarinet, two violas, cello, and two double basses by Wolfgang Rihm (52) is performed for the first time, in Karlsruhe.
15 November 2003 A Journey Beyond Time for soprano, piano, and percussion by George Crumb (74) to words of African-American spirituals, is performed for the first time, in Trinity Center, Philadelphia.
Once Upon a Castle, symphonie concertante for organ and orchestra by Michael Daugherty (49) is performed for the first time, in Michigan Theatre, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
18 November 2003 Snapshot: Circa 1909 for string quartet by John Corigliano (65) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York.
19 November 2003 Taoist Sacred Dance for piano and flute by Philip Glass (66) is performed for the first time, at Interfaith Center of New York.
23 November 2003 Seven Desires for guitar by Tan Dun (46) is performed for the first time, in the 92nd Street Y, New York.
24 November 2003 Time Machine for three conductors and orchestra by Michael Daugherty (49) is performed for the first time, in Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh.
3 December 2003 Ned Rorem (80) is awarded the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award in the Walter Reade Theatre in Lincoln Center, New York. He is handed the award by John Corigliano (65).
4 December 2003 Otherworldly Resonances for two pianos by George Crumb (74) is performed for the first time, in Weill Recital Hall, New York.
A Flute Concerto by Ned Rorem (80) is performed for the first time, in Verizon Hall, Philadelphia.
6 December 2003 Lumières for tape by Pierre Henry (75) is performed for the first time, in Dijon.
Boogie Woogie Concertante for piano, winds, and percussion by TJ Anderson (75) is performed for the first time, at Harvard University.
19 December 2003 Appassionatamente plus for orchestra by Hans Werner Henze (77) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
©2004-2012 Paul Scharfenberger
26 June 2012
Last Updated (Tuesday, 26 June 2012 05:37)