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: 10 May 2001 by Keith Wu
Yes Todd, your turn.
Posted on: 11 May 2001 by Todd A
That was a guess. Since I will not be near a PC this weekend, an easy one: what famous composer died during a bombardment of Paris during World War I.
Posted on: 11 May 2001 by Todd A
You are correct. Your question, Jonathan.
Posted on: 11 May 2001 by Todd A
It was Borodin.
Since I may or may not be able to verify another response, I open the next question to the first person who posts one.
Posted on: 15 May 2001 by Todd A
According to recording industry legend, why was the CD originally designed to hold about 74 minutes of music?
Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Peter Litwack
So it could contain the Beethoven 9th symphony in its entirety on one disc!
Posted on: 16 May 2001 by Todd A
Your turn, Peter.
Posted on: 19 May 2001 by Peter Litwack
What composer published his last symphony at the age of 59, yet lived for another 30 years, failing to publish another symphony? This may be the longest period of artistic silence by a great composer in classical music history!
Posted on: 21 May 2001 by Peter Litwack
Ok, here's a hint. His most famous composition was used to great effect in the movie "Die Hard 2".
Posted on: 22 May 2001 by JamH
Sibelius !!
Posted on: 23 May 2001 by Peter Litwack
You got it! I've always wondered why Sibelius seemed to have lost his creative spark. Maybe the 20th century just got too weird for him - Schoenberg, Stravinski, etc. But he remains one of my absolute favorite 20th century composers, especially the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th symphonies. A true "symphonist"!
You're up, James.
Posted on: 24 May 2001 by JamH
Thanks Peter,
I also like Sibelius. Maybe he got self conscious and worried about producing less good works than he had already produced [e.g. after he was honoured by the Finish goverment].
Anyway .. my question
Honegger and Alkan have both written works [Honnegger for orchestra and Alkan for piano] on the same subject. [By subject I mean topic/theme/item etc. and not subject as in fugue].
James
P.S. Honeger's symphony-2 is great [and it's not one of the answers !!]
Posted on: 25 May 2001 by John Schmidt
I think both wrote works on the theme of the railroad: Honnegger's symphonic poem, Pacific 231 and Alkan's piano etude, Le chemin de fer.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 25 May 2001 by JamH
I think I can, I think I can...
Hello John,
You CAN. -- your turn !!
James H.
Posted on: 28 May 2001 by John Schmidt
Regular readers of this thread have heard a lot about the famous rivalry between Wagner and Brahms, and their respective supporters. Two 20th century giants had their own similar rivalry for 40 years. The story had a different outcome than the Brahms/Wagner struggle in that upon the death of one, the other began to experiment with his ideas. Who were the two composers?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 28 May 2001 by JamH
Stravinsky and Schonberg ?
I know Stravinsky started off hating seialism but
then changed his mind and started writing serial music.
Posted on: 29 May 2001 by John Schmidt
Take it away.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 30 May 2001 by JamH
Thanks John,
Here is my question ....
This composer is really only known for one work [and most record shops have lots of different recordings of it] although he did write other things.
But he is also important in music education for children and has written a set of short pieces to be sung/played by young children.
Who is he ?
Jame H.
Posted on: 31 May 2001 by JamH
Hello Wolfgang,
You are right -- your turn.
Best wishes
James H.
Posted on: 01 June 2001 by Peter Litwack
Olivier Messiaen
"Quatour Pour le Fin de Temps"
("Quartet for the End of Time", for you non-French speaking types)
Beautiful work-it was written in a WWII prison camp, hence the strange instrumentation. Wrote a college thesis on Messiaen and played many of his organ works as a student. Even played some of the "Quatour" in chamber music class. Terrific composer!
Posted on: 04 June 2001 by Peter Litwack
Wolfgang-I'm waiting for you to confirm my answer. Is that the piece you're asking about?
I can't really post my question until you respond. I think those are the rules, but if I don't hear from you in a reasonable time, I guess I'll go ahead.
Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Peter Litwack
What Late Romantic Cantata, scored for narrator, six solo voices, two choruses and an orchestra calling for, amongst other things, four piccolos, ten horns and a battery of percussion instruments that includes iron chains, was written by a composer better known for his innovative 20th century musical style?
Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Todd A
Schoenberg, of course.
Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Peter Litwack
Right on Todd. Do you like this piece? I love it.
Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Todd A
I have provided the answer to this question in a prior thread so it should be easy. Who wrote music inspired by and named The Communist Manifesto.
And, Peter, do I like the Gurrelieder? I'm luke warm on it. I'm generally not a big fan of choral works and cantatas, though I am gaining a greater appreciation of such works. I do rather enjoy other works by Scoenberg, however.
