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: 08 February 2001 by John Schmidt
Many composers liked to construct themes based on letter or word games. Name the composer and work where the motif F-A-F, standing for the motto "
Frei aber froh (free but cheerful), is prominent.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 09 February 2001 by John Schmidt
I was thinking of the first movement to the 3rd symphony. But you're correct, Brahm's did use this motif in a number of other, mostly early, works. And, yes, it was a reaction to, not Schumann, but his friend Joachim, who used the motif F-A-E for
Frei aber einsam or free but alone.
You're up Ross.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 12 February 2001 by John Schmidt
Yo Ross. We need a question here!
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 12 February 2001 by John Schmidt
Although I can be ridiculously tenacious when I decide that I want to find an answer, I'm not sure that I'd relish ploughing through a full-length Thomas Mann novel.
Death in Venice was brilliant, but I found reading
The Magic Mountian to be like wading through molasses in January north of the 60th parallel. I gave up halfway through.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 13 February 2001 by John Schmidt
....before we wandered off into a literary criticism thread? Oh, ya, Vuk was going to pose a question.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 13 February 2001 by John Schmidt
Closest I can find in Pavarotti's discography is Mozart's Idomeneo, Re di Creta. But Mozart isn't exactly "German", is he?
quote:
What is Pavarotti's explanation for why he has gained so much weight? (hint: related to his previous career)
Because he eats too much! Was he ever a cook?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 14 February 2001 by John Schmidt
quote:
... Vuk, Mike and Joe are being sent on a covert operation somewhere in Eastern Europe, on a mission of great danger to protect vital Canadian interests - something to do with mooses,
Are you sure that isn't Brazil and something to do with regional jets, oops!, I mean BSE infected cattle?
BTW, the plural of moose is still moose, eh.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 14 February 2001 by John Schmidt
German opera - How about Der Rosenkavalier?
His mass - Pavarotti's previous jobs were elementary school teacher and insurance salesman. Don't know how you get fat with either of those. But his father was a baker. Perhaps he apprenticed with him and spent too much time sampling his work. Or maybe he liked nibbling on raw dough, and the yeast has been rising ever since?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 14 February 2001 by John Schmidt
but it wasn't as a profession. It's hard to imagine, but somewhere on a web bio he was described as being svelte in his early years!
OK, a question:
It's accepted small talk among lovers of classical music to sigh at the tragedy of Mozart's early death, and to pose the rhetorical question of what he might have composed in his maturity.
What 20th century performer, even as a student, demurred with this assessment and was heard to say "Mozart lived long enough, thank you very much"?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 16 February 2001 by John Schmidt
In the late 1980's or early 1990's someone made "32 Short Films" about the performer I'm thinking of.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 16 February 2001 by Joe Petrik
John,
quote:
In the late 1980's or early 1990's someone made "32 Short Films" about the performer I'm thinking of.
That idiot that's a genius... Glenn Gould?
Joe... this doesn't count as a post. I'm not talking hi-fi. 
Posted on: 16 February 2001 by John Schmidt
I remember reading this in an article by Robert Fulford,former editor of Saturday Night magazine, who knew the Gould family as a boy.
Your question.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 16 February 2001 by Joe Petrik
The problem with posting to a thread such as this is highlighting just how little you know about classical music. Fortunately, TV has never let me down, so I will draw on my vast viewing experience for the next question.
What opera was the basis for a Warner Bros. cartoon in which Elmer Fudd utters...
"Oh Bwunhilda, you're so wovely."
To which the rabbit (dressed as 'Bwunhilda') replies...
"Yes I know it; I can't help it."
Joe
Posted on: 16 February 2001 by Peter Litwack
Die Walküre?
Posted on: 17 February 2001 by Joe Petrik
Yup. You have the next question.
Joe
Posted on: 17 February 2001 by Peter Litwack
At the end of Breathless, what piece does Jean-Paul Belmondo listen to while he is waiting for his showdown with "les flics"?
Posted on: 20 February 2001 by Peter Litwack
Hey guys - why not go to your local video store, rent a copy of "Breathless" (the one with Jean-Paul Belmondo, not Richard Gere) and watch it! It's a great movie - one of the greatest crime movies ever made - and for sure, if you have any classical music knowledge, you'll recognize the piece that Jean-Paul Belmondo is listening to at the end of the movie, right before the cops show up.
Posted on: 22 February 2001 by Todd A
I think we need more hints, Peter. Doesn't look like any one rented the movie.
Posted on: 22 February 2001 by Peter Litwack
"Breathless" is really a great movie. It was one of the first of the French "New Wave" movies, with a breakthrough performance by Belmondo, and great direction from Goddard.
Hint: Right before the final shootout, Belmondo is sitting in an apartment explaining that he's too tired to keep on the run. While the strains of "******" are playing on a record player (not a Linn, this movie was made in 1960) he remarks that his father played the clarinet.
Posted on: 23 February 2001 by Matthew T
A six letter composer with a piece that contains the Clarinet...
Mozart Clarinet Concerto?
PS the piece was the Flos Campi Suite by?
Posted on: 23 February 2001 by Peter Litwack
It was the Mozart Clarinet Concerto, second movement, although it could have been many other pieces, given the hint. Mozart Clarinet Quintet, Mozart Clarinet Trio, Brahms Clarinet Quintet, Brahms Clarinet Sonatas, Brahms Clarinet Trio. But Matthew's guess was right on the button. You guys should really check the movie out sometime - and if you like it, go on to "Le Doulos", also starring Belmondo and directed by Melville. I love French Noir films.
Matthew - you're up.
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Matthew T
OK, the next question!
Who's was the 'forgotten' quintet from An Equal Music?
Posted on: 27 February 2001 by Matthew T
Your wife is correct. Opus 104 in C minor (If I remember correctly).
Your roll.
Matthew
PS A worthy read for those who have not yet (An Equal Music by Vikram Seth).
Posted on: 28 February 2001 by John Schmidt
Omer,
We need a question before the thread drops off the bottom of the page!
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by John Schmidt
....Gustav Mahler?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
