1803 Hector Berlioz – French composer and conductor (d.1869); extremely influential in the development of the symphonic form, instrumentation, and the depiction in music of programmatic and literary ideas, features central to Romanticism; considered extremely progressive for his day, and he, Wagner, and Liszt have been called the ‘Great Trinity of Progress’ of 19th-century Romanticism.
1908 Elliott Carter – American composer (d.2013); twice awarded the Pulitzer Prize; mature style marked by atonality and rhythmic complexity; extremely productive in his later years, publishing more than 40 works between the ages of 90 and 100, and over 20 more after he turned 100.
1918 first concert of the Cleveland Orchestra (billed as the Cleveland ‘Symphony’ Orchestra) conducted by Nikolai Sokoloff; Victor Herbert’s American Fantasy opened the program; the orchestra’s home, Severance Hall, is one of the world’s great concert halls; summer home is the Blossom Music Center; has long-term performing relationships in Lucerne, Vienna, New York City and an annual residency in Miami; Music Director Franz Welser-Möst is under contract through the 2021-2022 season.