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Period: to
Early 20th Century
Important dates in music history from 1900 to 1920. Use these dates when formulating a timeline for the exam. -
London Symphony Orchestra gives its first concert
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Dmitri Shostakovich, Russian composer, born
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Bela Bartok: String Quartet No. 1
The piece was premiered in Budapest by the Waldbauer-Kerpely Quartet. It was first published in 1911 in Hungary. -
Stravinsky: "The Firebird," ballet, Paris
The ballet was premiered by the Ballets Russes in Paris on 25 June 1910 conducted by Gabriel Pierné. -
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major ("The Symphony of a Thousand")
This was the last of Gustav Mahler's symphonies to be premiered in his lifetime. -
Gustav Mahler dies
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Stravinsky: " Petrouchka," ballet, Paris
Stravisnky's "Petrouchka" (Petrushka) is premiered. The ballet's plot is remarkably similar to the story of Pinnochio, except with a traditional Russian doll who is made of straw and with a bag of sawdust as his body, but then comes to life and develops emotions. -
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) founded
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Scriabin: "Prometheus," symphonic poem, Moscow
Premiere of Prometheus: The Poem of Fire in Carnegie Hall by the Russian Symphony Orchestra. While not the true world-premiere, this performance is the first to use Scriabin's color organ, which lights up with colors to the music. This enables the audience to experience some of Scriabin's synaesthasia, or seeing colors when hearing sounds. -
Alexander Scriabin, Russian composer, dies
At the age of 43 years, he died in Moscow from septicaemia, contracted as a result of an infected boil on his lip or shaving cut.
Scriabin is known for his synesthesia, which is the phenomenon of experiencing sensation in one sense (sight) while experiencing stimuli in another (hearing). He literally could see the music in the air! -
Jazz begins to sweep the US
Jazz becomes more popular and widespread throughout the USA. -
"Les Six" is founded
French composers Auric, Durey, Honegger, Milhaud, Poulenc, and Tailleferre form group eventually known as "Les Six", which officially launched in January 1920. Exact date is unknown. -
First jazz recordings made
Original Dixieland 'Jass' Band's "Dixie Jass Band One Step" and "Livery Stable Blues." This record was made for the Victor label in New York. -
Ottorino Respighi: "Fontaane de Roma," a symphonic poem
Ottorino Respighi's "Fontaane de Roma" (Fountains of Rome" is premiered. Fontane de Roma has become inseparably linked with two additional symphonic poems, Pini de Roma (1923-1924) and Feste Romane (1929), which were intentionally written as sequels. These works continue to have international success. -
Claude Debussy, French impressionist composer, dies
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Leonard Bernstein, American composer and conductor, born
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Jazz arrives in Europe
Exact date unknown. -
A.D. Julliard dies
A.D. Julliard dies, leaving 20 million dollars to endow Julliard School of Music, New York -
Los Angeles Symphony gives its first concert
Exact date unknown. -
Gustav Holst: "The Planets," first complete performance given in London
The first complete public performance was given in London on 15 November 1920, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Albert Coates.
