2015
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9 January 2015 Gedicht des Malers for violin and orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (62) is performed for the first time, in the Konzerthaus, Großer Saal, Vienna.
18 January 2015 Second Quartet for string quartet by John Adams (67) is performed for the first time, in Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University.
23 January 2015 Symphony no.9 “Diaspora” by Toshi Ichiyanagi (81) is performed for the first time, in Suntory Hall, Tokyo.
Seeing is Believing for electric violin and orchestra by Nico Muhly (33) is performed for the first time, in Destiny Worship Center, Miramar Beach, Florida.
24 January 2015 The End of It for soprano, flute, clarinet, percussion, harp, piano, and strings by John C. Eaton (79), to words of Donne, Swenson, Borsch, and Dante, is performed for the first time, at Logan Center for the Arts, Chicago.
25 January 2015 Piano Sonata: The Fire by Tan Dun (57) is performed for the first time, in De Doelen, the Netherlands.
28 January 2015 Accused for soprano and orchestra by Magnus Lindberg (56) to words taken from the interrogations from the French Revolution, a Stasi interrogation, and the trial of Bradley Manning, is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
29 January 2015 Contrabass Concerto: The Wolf for double bass and orchestra by Tan Dun (57) is performed for the first time, in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, conducted by the composer.
30 January 2015 Touch and Go for percussion and winds by Paul Lansky (70) is performed for the first time, at Northwestern University.
31 January 2015 For Violin Alone by John Harbison (76) is performed for the first time, in the 92nd Street Y, New York.
5 February 2015 Slow for four viols by Nico Muhly (33) is performed for the first time, in Kings Palace, London.
6 February 2015 Concerto for viola and orchestra by Nico Muhly (33) is performed for the first time, in the Auditorio Nacional de Música, Madrid.
9 February 2015 Civil Words, a cycle for voice and piano by Jennifer Higdon (52) to words of various writers, is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
11 February 2015 Wie Schoen Leuchtet der Morgenstern for english horn, violin, viola, and piano by Libby Larsen (64) is performed for the first time, at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
12 February 2015 String Quartet no.4 by Libby Larsen (64) is performed for the first time.
13 February 2015 Hestene Staar I Regnet for voice, Hardanger fiddle, and piano by Libby Larsen (64), to words of Andersen (tr.Loge), is performed for the first time.
19 February 2015 FLiGHT I: Imagining for string quartet, visual projections, and multichannel sound by Roger Reynolds (80) is performed for the first time, in Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
21 February 2015 To Music for piano by David del Tredici (77) is performed for the first time, at the Tenri Cultural Institute, New York.
25 February 2015 of Love Of You for voice and piano by William Bolcom (76) to words of Weinstein, is performed for the first time, in New York. Also premiered is Bolcom’s Sentimental Waltz for piano-four hands.
1 March 2015 Pilgrims for violin, double bass, piano, and two percussionists by Sofia Gubaidulina (83) is performed for the first time, in Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Chicago.
3 March 2015 Military March no.2 for string quartet by Peter Maxwell Davies (80) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
7 March 2015 Concerto for viola and orchestra by Jennifer Higdon (52) is performed for the first time, at the Library of Congress.
8 March 2015 Über die Linie VIII for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (62) is performed for the first time, in the Badisches Staatstheater, Karlsruhe.
The American Sublime for baritone and chamber ensemble by Elliott Carter (†2) to words of Stevens, is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
11 March 2015 Before It Is Time for soprano and percussion quartet by Steven Mackey (59) is performed for the first time, in Texas Performing Arts, Austin.
13 March 2015 William Bolcom’s (76) arrangement for band of his Circus Overture is performed for the first time, in Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
16 March 2015 The Martyrdom of Saint Stephen for horn and chorus by John Tavener (†1) is performed for the first time, in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna.
Second String Force for violin by Joan Tower (76) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York.
18 March 2015 String Quintet by Peter Maxwell Davies (80) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
21 March 2015 Look for Me by Nico Muhly (33) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
26 March 2015 Scheherazade.2, a dramatic symphony for violin and orchestra by John Adams (68) is performed for the first time, in Avery Fisher Hall, New York.
2 April 2015 String Trio by Robin Holloway (71) is performed for the first time, in St. John’s Smith Square, London.
3 April 2015 Never Time for jazz ensemble by John Harbison (76) is performed for the first time, in Kresge Auditorium of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
5 April 2015 imAge/viola for viola by Roger Reynolds (80) is performed for the first time, at the California Institute of the Arts, Valencia.
8 April 2015 Children of Gaza for harp and accordion by Terry Riley (79) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
9 April 2015 Mannequin, tableaux vivants for orchestra by Unsuk Chin (53) is performed for the first time, at The Sage, Gateshead, Great Britain.
11 April 2015 Fantasia for organ and brass quintet by William Bolcom (76) is performed for the first time, in Evansville, Indiana.
Megalith for piano and 15 players by Charles Wuorinen (76) is performed for the first time, in Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul, Minnesota.
16 April 2015 New Project Inspired by Instrumental 45s for percussion, electric guitar, trumpet, saxophones, trombone, and electronics by Annie Gosfield (54) is performed for the first time, in Merkin Concert Hall, New York.
17 April 2015 Tales of Hemmingway for cello and orchestra by Michael Daugherty (60) is performed for the first time, in Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
18 April 2015 O Come, Holy Ghost for soprano, bass, and chorus by Sofia Gubaidulina (83) to medieval texts, is performed for the first time, in the Frauenkirche, Dresden.
How Little You Are for chorus and three guitar quartets by Nico Muhly (33), to words of Stewart and Blankenship, is performed for the first time, in Bass Concert Hall, Austin, Texas.
24 April 2015 Luminosity for wind ensemble by Joseph Schwantner (72) is performed for the first time, in Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts at Emory University, Atlanta.
30 April 2015 Rubies (after Thelonious Monk’s ‘Ruby My Dear’) for symphonic band by John Harbison (76) is performed for the first time, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
1 May 2015 DDT for percussion by Libby Larsen (64) is performed for the first time, in Kilbourn Hall of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York.
2 May 2015 Hanover for three banjos by Alvin Lucier (83) is performed for the first time, at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.
3 May 2015 Concertino for trumpet and orchestra by Krzysztof Penderecki (81) is performed for the first time, in the Congresshalle, Saarbrücken.
6 May 2015 Masaot/Clocks Without Hands for orchestra by Olga Neuwirth (46) is performed for the first time, in the Cologne Philharmonie.
12 May 2015 Adam’s Passion, a new stage work by Robert Wilson based on the music of Arvo Pärt (79) is staged for the first time, in Tallinn. It includes already composed works by Pärt, Adam’s Lament, Miserere, and Tabula rasa along with the premiere of Sequentia.
13 May 2015 String Quartet no.3 by Robin Holloway (71) is performed for the first time, in London.
14 May 2015 Mixed Messages for orchestra by Nico Muhly (33) is performed for the first time, in Philadelphia.
True Fire for baritone and orchestra by Kaija Saariaho (62) to various authors, is performed for the first time, in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
16 May 2015 De l’Expérience for organ, electronics, and narrator by Tod Machover (61), is performed for the first time, in Maison symphonique de Montréal.
19 May 2015 Red Maple for bassoon and string quartet by Joan Tower (76) is performed for the first time, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
20 May 2015 Quiet is the New Loud, a soundwork by Bruce Odland (63) and Sam Auinger, opens as part of the Bruges Triennale.
26 May 2015 Domine quid multiplicati sunt for chorus by Krzysztof Penderecki (81) is performed for the first time, in Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall, New York.
The Lightning Fields for trumpet or flugelhorn and piano by Michael Daugherty (61) is performed for the first time, in Columbus, Ohio.
28 May 2015 Concerto for two pianos and orchestra by Philip Glass (78) is performed for the first time, in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
29 May 2015 Mnemosyne’s Pool for orchestra by Steven Mackey (59) is performed for the first time, in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
2 June 2015 Partita double bass by Philip Glass (78) is performed for the first time, in Griffin Concert Hall, Fort Collins, Colorado.
5 June 2015 Rio Grande for orchestra by Michael Daugherty (61) is performed for the first time, at the Tobin Center, San Antonio, Texas. See 22 October 2015.
6 June 2015 Sentences for counter-tenor and orchestra by Nico Muhly (33), to words of Gopnik, is performed for the first time, in Barbican Hall, London, conducted by the composer.
12 June 2015 The Cure, an opera for two singers and six players by Harrison Birtwistle (80) is performed for the first time, in Britten Studio, Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh.
The Birth Project for two or more sopranos and piano by Libby Larsen (64), to words of various writers, is performed for the first time, at Thayer Auditorium of the Colburn School of Music, Los Angeles.
14 June 2015 Thou Art There, an anthem on verses from the Book of Psalms by Robin Holloway (71) is performed for the first time, at King’s College, Cambridge.
20 June 2015 Sonatina for violin by Peter Maxwell Davies (80) is performed for the first time
21 June 2015 Gunther Schuller dies in Boston of complications from leukemia, aged 89 years and six months, and 30 days.
23 June 2015 Con Piano? Certo! for piano and orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (63) is performed for the first time, in the Badisches Staatstheater, Karlsruhe.
27 June 2015 Praying Mantis Rag for piano-four hands by Terry Riley (79) is performed for the first time, in the San Francisco Jazz Center.
5 July 2015 Across the Distance for massed horns by John Luther Adams (62) is performed for the first time, at the Cambo Estate in Fife, Scotland.
Be Not Afeard, a song for voice and piano by Ned Rorem (91), is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lennox, Massachusetts.
6 July 2015 Funde im Verscharrten for baritone, soprano, and piano by Wolfgang Rihm (63) to words of Ekelöf, is performed for the first time, in the Regentenbau, Bad Kissingen.
9 July 2015 The Voices of Our Ancestors for speaker, chorus, and orchestra by Thea Musgrave (83) to words of various texts, is performed for the first time, in St. Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London.
10 July 2015 Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds for orchestra and smart phones by Tan Dun (57) is performed for the first time, at SUNY Purchase.
13 July 2015 Sign of the Leviathan for horn and strings by Osvaldo Golijov (54) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
14 July 2015 Travel Notes for two pianos and percussion by Tristan Murail (68) is performed for the first time, at Lincoln Center, New York.
18 July 2015 Symphony no.4 by Lowell Liebermann (54) is performed for the first time, at Guilford College, Greensboro, North Carolina.
Bell Station III for children’s choir and instrumental ensemble by Terry Riley (79) is performed for the first time, in the Barbican Centre, London.
19 July 2015 Variations (Homage to Haydn) for piano by Alexander Goehr (82) is performed for the first time, in St. Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe.
23 July 2015 Magical Trumpets for twelve trumpets by Gunther Schuller (†0) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
24 July 2015 Seven Poems of Lorine Niedecker for voice and piano by John Harbison (76) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts. Also premiered is Birkat Haderekh for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano by Shulamit Ran (65), conducted by John Harbison.
25 July 2015 Madrigal for female voice and percussion quartet by Steven Mackey (59), to his own words, is performed for the first time, In Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
31 July 2015 Farewell My Concubine, a symphonic poem for piano, Beijing Opera performer, and orchestra by Tan Dun (57), is performed for the first time, in Guangzhou.
1 August 2015 Cold Mountain, an opera by Jennifer Higdon (52) to words of Scheer after Frazier, is performed for the first time, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
2 August 2015 Rambles thru 44, The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain for speaker, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and harp by Betsy Jolas (88) is performed for the first time, at Tanglewood, Lenox, Massachusetts.
7 August 2015 Eleanor for blues singer, drummer, ensemble, and samples by Olga Neuwirth (47) is performed for the first time, in Salzburg.
15 August 2015 Housemusic for flute and piano by William Bolcom (77) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
17 August 2015 Seven Impromptus for two pianos by Alexander Goehr (83) is performed for the first time, in Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
18 October 2015 Le Encantadas o le avventure nel mare delle meraviglie for six players, samples, and live electronics by Olga Neuwirth (47) is performed for the first time, in Donaueschingen.
22 August 2015 A Sea of Cold Flame for baritone, cello, and string quartet by Peter Maxwell Davies (80) to words of George Mackay Brown, is performed for the first time, in St. Martin-on-the-Hill, Scarborough.
23 August 2015 Re-Structures for two pianos and live electronics by Tod Machover (61) is performed for the first time, in the KKL, Luzerner Saal, Lucerne. Also premiered is Gruß-Moment for orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (63).
26 August 2015 Variations for Blanca for piano by Thomas Adès (45) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre de Vevey, Switzerland.
27 August 2015 So Many Things for mezzo-soprano and string quartet by Nico Muhly (34), to words of Cavafy (tr.Mendelsohn) and Oates, is performed for the first time, in Stillwater, Minnesota.
30 August 2015 The Vicarage Garden for harpsichord by William Bolcom (77) is performed for the first time, in Charlemont, Massachusetts.
5 September 2015 A Symphony for Lucerne for orchestra by Tod Machover (61) is performed for the first time, in the KKL, Luzerner Saal, Lucerne.
7 September 2015 Four Roses and a Five Spot for cello and electronics by Annie Gosfield (54) is performed for the first time, at The Stone, New York.
8 September 2015 Concert Paraphrase on Powder Her Face for piano-six hands by Thomas Adès (44) is performed for the first time, in Zipper Concert Hall of the Colburn School, Los Angeles.
9 September 2015 Heart of a Dog, a film by Laurie Anderson (68), is shown for the first time, in Venice.
12 September 2015 Fensadense for large ensemble by Tod Machover (61) is performed for the first time, in the KKL, Luzerner Saal, Lucerne.
13 September 2015 Byzantium for soprano and piano by Nico Muhly (34) to words of Yeats, is performed for the first time, in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
14 September 2015 Works for saxophone quartet by Arvo Pärt (80) are performed for the first time, in the Chiesa della Santa Croce, Torgiano: Pari intervallo, Solfeggio, and a setting of Fratres.
17 September 2015 7 Flutes for the forces inherent in the title, by Kevin Volans (66) is performed for the first time, in Splendor, Amsterdam.
Stomp for orchestra by John Corigliano (77) is performed for the first time, in Houston.
19 September 2015 Three Moon Songs for chorus by Nico Muhly (34), to words of Giraud (tr.Richter), is performed for the first time, at Santa Clara University, California.
24 September 2015 Figure A Sea, a dance by Laurie Anderson (68) to a choreography by Hay, is performed for the first time, in Stockholm.
25 September 2015 Clear, Loud, Bright, Forward, a ballet by Nico Muhly (34) to a choreography by Millepied, is performed for the first time, at the Palais Garnier, Paris.
Shifting/Drifting for violin and electronics by Roger Reynolds (81) is performed for the first time, in Conrad Prebys Music Center, La Jolla, California.
26 September 2015 Ciaccona—In memoriam Giovanni Paolo II for six cellos by Krzysztof Penderecki (81) is performed for the first time, in the Stadthalle, Kronberg, Germany.
29 September 2015 imageE/violin&imAge/violin for violin by Roger Reynolds (81) is performed for the first time, in Los Angeles.
1 October 2015 Polonaise for orchestra by Kryzsztof Penderecki (81) is performed for the first time, in Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall.
The PNC Beacon, a data-and-light media installation designed by Bruce Odland (63), opens in the new PNC Tower in Pittsburgh.
2 October 2015 Habeas Corpus, a mixed media installation by Laurie Anderson (68), opens at Park Avenue Armory, New York.
3 October 2015 Power Play for chamber ensemble by Thea Musgrave (83) is performed for the first time, at the Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London.
4 October 2015 Ba Yin for saxophone quartet and wind ensemble by Chen Yi (62) is performed for the first time, in Helzberg Hall, Kansas City, Missouri.
7 October 2015 Vivo for orchestra by Magnus Lindberg (57) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
8 October 2015 Europa and the Bull for tuba and orchestra by Robin Holloway (71) is performed for the first time, in Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.
Thomas Adès (44) receives the Léonie Sonning Music Prize in Copenhagen.
9 October 2015 Harrison Birtwistle (81) is awarded the Wihuri Sibelius Prize in Finlandia Hall, Helsinki.
11 October 2015 Three Bagatelles From China West for flute and harp by Chen Yi (62) is performed for the first time, at University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory.
15 October 2015 Duo Concerto for violin, cello, and orchestra by Wolfgang Rihm (63) is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
21 October 2015 Geste zu Vedova for string quartet by Wolfgang Rihm (63) is performed for the first time, in Venice.
22 October 2015 Rio Grande for band by Michael Daugherty (61) is performed for the first time, in Murchison Performing Arts Center, Denton, Texas. See 5 June 2015.
27 October 2015 The Dybbuk on Second Avenue for piano by Annie Gosfield (55) is performed for the first time, in Redcat Theatre, Los Angeles.
29 October 2015 The Last Letter for baritone and piano by Nico Muhly (34) to soldiers letters from the First World War, is performed for the first time, in Milton Court Concert Hall, Barbican, London.
4 November 2015 Sanctus Adalbertus op.71, an oratorio for soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra by Henryk Górecki (†4) to words of the Psalms, is performed for the first time, in ICE Kraków.
6 November 2015 The Silk House Sequences for string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (81) is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
String Quartet no.9 by Richard Wernick (81) is performed for the first time, in Perelman Theatre of the Kimmel Center, Philadelphia.
A revised version of Once Upon a Castle, a symphonie concertante for organ and orchestra by Michael Daugherty (61), is performed for the first time, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
11 November 2015 While We Are On Earth for treble chorus by Libby Larsen (64), to words of E. Roosevelt, Gibran, and Mother Teresa, is performed for the first time.
20 November 2015 Symphony in D for orchestra and electronics by Tod Machover (61) is performed for the first time, in Orchestra Hall, Detroit.
25 November 2015 The Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition is given to Hans Abrahamsen (62) for his song cycle let me tell you.
27 November 2015 Gentle Sleep for chorus by Nico Muhly (34) to words of Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
1 December 2015 While walking to a performance of his music at St. Peter’s Church in Manhattan, John C. Eaton (80) falls and suffers a head injury.
2 December 2015 John Charles Eaton dies from complications of a brain hemorrhage, in New York, aged 80 years, eight months, and two days.
3 December 2015 OHM for band by Steven Mackey (59) is performed for the first time, at LSU Union Theatre, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
4 December 2015 Lorne Ys My Likinge for countertenor, tenor, and piano by Nico Muhly (34) to Medieval words, is performed for the first time, in Wigmore Hall, London.
Control—Five Landscapes for Orchestra by Nico Muhly (34) is performed for the first time, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
5 December 2015 Dark Queen Mantra for electric guitar and string quartet by Terry Riley (79) is performed for the first time, in San Francisco.
8 December 2015 Canticles of the Sky for string quartet by John Luther Adams (62) is performed for the first time, in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
9 December 2015 Concerto for violin and orchestra no.2 by Magnus Lindberg (57) is performed for the first time, in Royal Festival Hall, London.
10 December 2015 Triceros for chamber orchestra by Steven Mackey (59) is performed for the first time, in Orebro, Sweden.
Kleine Litanei for chorus by Arvo Pärt (80) is performed at reopening of the subterranean Virgilkapelle, Vienna.
After more than 34 years, David del Tredici (78) completes his teaching tenure at the City University of New York.
16 December 2015 Untitled #335 for extremely amplified and blindfolded ensemble by Francisco López (51) is performed for the first time, as a part of Ways of Seeing in Theater Korzo, The Hague.
©2004-2016 Paul Scharfenberger
27 May 2016
Last Updated (Friday, 27 May 2016 04:39)