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: 01 March 2001 by Todd A
Schumann?
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by John Schmidt
quote:
(spelling mistakes were copied)
Can we assume, therefore, that the author's native language was English? Edward Elgar, perhaps? Although I would never have guessed that he was capable of such navel-gazing adolescent treacle.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 02 March 2001 by John Schmidt
quote:
.....he got an honorary doctorate from Cambridge university.
That would be Johannes Brahms, although I believe he declined to accept this degree. Evidently he didn't think much of England.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 02 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 03 March 2001 by John Schmidt
With your indulgence, Omer, we'll stay with Tchaikovsky for the next question. It's generally accepted that Tchaikovsky died as a result of a cholera epidemic. A more controversial hypothesis suggested suicide, no doubt encouraged by the melancholic character of the 6th Symphony, which premiered just a week before his death. What were the nature and circumstances of this alleged suicide?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 03 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
It has been said that he underwent a "trial" in a "court of honour" from his old school regarding his sexual behaviour (homosexuality?) and it was decreed that he should commit suicide.
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Tchaikovsky trained as a lawyer at the School of Jurisprudence and worked for several years as a civil servant before taking up music full time. The story goes that, as atonement for the shame brought upon his classmates by a brief homosexual fling, Tchaikovsky should commit suicide by drinking poison.
A much more dramatic story, which means the cholera version is probably the correct one.
Fire away, Peter.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Who conducted the premieres of Mahler's "Das Lied Von Der Erde" and Ninth Symphony?
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Todd A
Bruno Walter?
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Exactly right.
Your turn, Todd.
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Todd A
Who is the famous 20th Century composer pictured here?
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Is it Witold Lutoslawski?
Posted on: 06 March 2001 by Todd A
Your question, Peter.
Posted on: 06 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Who wrote 7 pieces for 3 Trautoniums?
Posted on: 06 March 2001 by John Schmidt
...but that well-known composer of pieces for all manner of oddball instruments: Paul Hindemith.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 06 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Hindemith is a greatly underrated and underappreciated composer. The 7 pieces for 3 Trautoniums is very inventive - great contrapuntal writing.
Go ahead, John.
Posted on: 06 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Who said "Wagner's not as bad as he sounds"?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 07 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Your questions.
BTW, what's (nt)?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 08 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Shostakovitch supported himself in his youth by playing the piano in movie houses for silent films.
Silent films were full of overacting.
Ronald Reagan overacted (of course, that would also connect Shostakovitch to William Shatner. Let's not go there).
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 16 March 2001 by Matthew T
So was the italiced
know a hint?
It appears that you have stumped us on this one, more clues please.
Matthew
Posted on: 17 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Is it Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera"?
(Samuel & Tom are going to assassinate Riccardo)
[This message was edited by Peter Litwack on SATURDAY 17 March 2001 at 22:27.]
[This message was edited by Peter Litwack on SATURDAY 17 March 2001 at 22:31.]
Posted on: 18 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Who wrote two string quartets that could be played either independently, or simultaneously as a string octet?
Posted on: 19 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Would that be the Mendelssohn octet in E-flat major?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 19 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
No - you're way off
Posted on: 19 March 2001 by Todd A
Louis Spohr. I know he wrote a bunch of double quartets.
