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: 26 January 2001 by Todd A

'Tis not Camille.

Hint: this composer is best known for his piano music. (Though he's not that well known.)

Posted on: 26 January 2001 by John Schmidt

Erik Satie or Claude Debussy.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 26 January 2001 by Todd A

As I will not be internet enabled this weekend, I open the question to the first person to ask one.

The answer is Charles Valentin Alkan.

Posted on: 27 January 2001 by John Schmidt

This popular piece was originally scored for soprano and eight cellos. What's the piece and who is the composer?

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 28 January 2001 by Peter Litwack

Are you referring to "Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5"?

Posted on: 29 January 2001 by John Schmidt

Next question please, Peter

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Peter Litwack

What 20th Century composer wrote the piano piece "Fantasy on Flamenco Rhythms"?

Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Todd A

de Falla?

Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Peter Litwack

Sorry Todd, it wasn't de Falla.

Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Jon Moxon

JonM

Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Peter Litwack

Nope. It wasn't "Da Brawd" And it ain't Da Kidd.

Posted on: 31 January 2001 by Todd A

Frank Martin?

Posted on: 31 January 2001 by Peter Litwack

Good work! Actually, I tried entering "Fantasy on Flamenco Rhythms" into Google, and was immediately directed to a Frank Martin page. Did you find it like this? Just curious. I have a recording of this great piece on LP, and also bought the sheet music (quite thorny to read through), but have not been able to get my hands on a CD of it. His "Huit Preludes" are also quite good, and there is a CD of Martin himself playing it, but not the "Fantasy". Check it out. BTW, are you familiar with the "Mass for Two Four Part Choirs"? Really beautiful. Heard it sung by the Swedish Radio Choir in Grace Cathedral (San Francisco), quite a few years ago. Worth a listen, if you like a cappella choir music.

You're up, Todd.

Posted on: 31 January 2001 by Todd A

Name the attached composer. Shouldn't be too hard.

And how did I find the answer? Alta Vista. My original guess was a WAG (wild ass guess).

Posted on: 01 February 2001 by Todd A

He's American born of Italian parents.

Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Todd A

He won the pulitzer prize twice (in 1948 and 1961) and wrote the The Incredible Flutist. Naxos recently released two discs of his music, and the exact piture I posted is in the liner notes of one of them.

Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Former member

Walter Piston ??

Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Todd A

You are correct Jonathan. Your question.

I thought this would have been answered more quickly. Walter Piston is definitely an overlooked composer. Just try his violin concertos on Naxos, and you'll hear why I write that.

Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Former member

Spot the pre-Classical composer and well known nutter who wrote the following:-

quote:
When a woman is making love with a man, a sense of heat in her brain, which brings with it sensual delight, communicates the taste of that delight during the act and summons forth the emission of the man's seed. And when the seed has fallen into its place, that vehement heat descending from her brain draws the seed to itself and holds it, and soon the woman's sexual organs contract, and all the parts that are ready to open up during the time of menstruation now close, in the same way as a strong man can hold something enclosed in his fist.

I may well check out Walter - given how impressed I was with my last Naxos disc - Samuel Jones.

Jonathan

Posted on: 03 February 2001 by Former member

A: Hildegard von Bingen

Vuk.