Classical Quiz
Posted by: John Schmidt on 17 October 2000
Woodface is onto a good idea with his music quiz. As that thread is getting a bit long, and leaning mostly towards rock and popular music, perhaps we can start a more classical thread. Judging from the threads on Mahler and Schubert, there's no lack of knowledge. As with the other quiz, if you answer correctly, you can pose the next question. Here's a starter:
In the 1950's Emil Gilels was first allowed out of the Soviet Union to tour. This was the first opportunity for many in the West to hear a performer of the "Russian Piano School", and he played to universal acclaim. Gilels was somewhat overwhelmed, and was heard to say "If you think I'm good, wait until you hear __________" To which other Russian pianist was he referring?
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 17 October 2000 by Mike Hanson
I'm not big on Classical trivia, but I
was listening to CBC radio a couple of weeks ago. The answer is Sviatoslav Richter.
I've got a terrible cold right now, so my brain is mush. Therefore, my question will be pretty easy. Who sent the the "grey messenger" to Mozart and why? Catch you later!
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Smilies do not a forum make.
Posted on: 17 October 2000 by Former member
Mike
It t'was the count (above).
The messanger was Franz Anton Lietgeb (his steward) and the Count wanted Mozart to write a requiem mass which he would then pass off as his own work - in memory of his wife who passed away earlier that year.
To continue the thread, two part question :-
1) What other work was commissioned by whom, for whom and what special occasion, at the same time - which Mozart conducted when already feeling ill.
2) How many days after his death was the requiem mass performed.
Jonathan '12 versions of the Requiem' Ribee
Jonathan Ribee
Posted on: 18 October 2000 by John Schmidt
quote:
1) What other work was commissioned by whom, for whom and what special occasion, at the same time - which Mozart conducted when already feeling ill.
Domenico Guardasoni, Impresario (today we'd call him a promoter!) of the Prague National Theatre commissioned the opera La Clemenza di Tito to celebrate the coronation of Leopold II as King of Bohemia.
quote:
2) How many days after his death was the requiem mass performed?
5 days. Mozart died on Dec 5 1791. The requiem mass was first performed at a memorial service for Mozart on Dec 10.
OK, let's move away from Mozart. There is a oft-repeated (but not well-attributed) quote that if certain musicians lived to 80 years, they would have spent 60 of those years tuning their instruments. What is this recalcitrant instrument?
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 18 October 2000 by Former member
John
Spot on with No.1 - BUT.
The full requiem was not finished until at least March 1792 (by Sussamayer) and so could not have been performed until then.
There was a requiem performed on 10 Dec 1791 - but IF bits of the mass were performed, it could not have been in total.
I deliberately said 'days' to act as a lure here.
Try again !!
Jonathan
Posted on: 18 October 2000 by John Schmidt
Sheeeesh! Picky or what, eh?
Gottfried von Swieten arranged a performance on Jan 2, 1793 for Constanze's (Mozart's widow) benefit. Count von Walsegg received his copy of the Requiem in December 1793, and had it performed at a memorial service for his wife on December 14.
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
[This message was edited by John Schmidt on WEDNESDAY 18 October 2000 at 19:26.]
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
Yeah, sorry, bit anal there.
But absolutely spot on - tried yo make it tricky so you just couldn't look it up.
I'm guessing at your one - no idea really - but how about "harpists."
Jonathan
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by John Schmidt
Getting there. Think renaissance and baroque. (To keep things moving, I'll post the answer by the end of the day if no one gets it)
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
harp+almost+baroque=harpsichord?
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by John Schmidt
Would you like to phone-a-friend, poll the audience?
Smaller yet than a harpsichord (but bigger than a bread box). Remember also the Renaissance, when this instrument reached its peak in England.
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
Clavichord ?
(If it's spinet or virginal ... splitting hairs again.)
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by John Schmidt
It doesn't have a keyboard of any kind. The best-known English composer for it was John Dowland.
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
My turn now.
Identify the famous conductor who said:
"The English don't particularly like music, but they sure love the noise it makes."
Vuk.
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Todd A
It is Sir Thomas Beecham.
Here's one: Name the two winners of the Tchaikovsky prize in 1962.
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
A (1962 Tchaikovsky winners):
John Ogdon
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Q:
Who said "I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-rate second-rate composer" and to whom was he replying?
Vuk.
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Todd A
Damn it. Damn it all to hell! Vuk, you must have telepathically known that I've seen reference to this before, but for the life of someone else (never me), I can't remember. It's on the tips of my fingers, but . . .
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by John Schmidt
I've never come across this tidbit before, but it sounds like the kind of thing that William Walton might have said, perhaps to Schoenberg (while I'm guessing wildly, it might as well be really wild)?
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
My wild guess is that it's Richard Strauss.
Ross
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
A famous conductor wrote to a famous (20th century) composer suggesting cuts to one of the composer's works. The composer wrote back: "You're not in your own house here, my dear fellow".
Name the composer and (optional) the conductor.
Ross
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
quote:
A famous conductor wrote to a famous (20th century) composer suggesting cuts to one of the composer's works. The composer wrote back: "You're not in your own house here, my dear fellow".
composer: Igor Stravinsky
conductor: Leinsdorf or Ansermet (but you said this was optional)
My turn again! Who is this man?
Hint: the name would be suitable for a contemporary porn star.
Vuk.
Posted on: 19 October 2000 by Former member
Vuk,
Well done! The conductor was Ansermet.
quote:
Hint: the name would be suitable for a contemporary porn star.
Randy Furtwangler?
Ross
Posted on: 20 October 2000 by John Schmidt
Haven't a clue (I've been saying that a lot lately). But he has a startling resemblance to the late British actor Denholm Elliot.
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 20 October 2000 by Former member
OK, I seem to have stumped everyone with the picture above. I'll keep the identity a secret for a little while longer but, in the interest of keeping the quiz rolling along, here's another person to identify instead:
Posted on: 20 October 2000 by Former member
Leopold Stokowsky once suggested cuts or changes in The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky. I´m not quite shure what Igor said, but that could be it
Best wishes
Sven 
)
Posted on: 20 October 2000 by Joe Petrik
Abe Vigotta from Barney Miller?
Joe
