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: 27 June 2001 by JamH
Pictures defeat Google !!
James H
Posted on: 30 June 2001 by Peter Litwack
Is it Pieter Wilspelwey? Nevah hoid a da guy. Isse any good?
Posted on: 03 July 2001 by John Schmidt
Omer, can you post details of the recordings (label, catalog no. etc.)?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 09 July 2001 by Peter Litwack
Sorry for the delay. I just moved, and have been without internet connection since July 1st. I've been waiting for my DSL line to be provisioned, but just a few minutes ago, I established a dial-up connection (ugh!!). I'll think up a question and post it soon!
Posted on: 11 July 2001 by Peter Litwack
Who wrote an oratorio based on a famous 20th Century existential novel? And what is the name of the oratorio?
Posted on: 18 July 2001 by Peter Litwack
Posted on: 18 July 2001 by Peter Litwack
Ross-Yes the oratorio is called "The Plague". Good guesswork! Now figure out the composer!
BTW, I noticed one listing of the work refers to it as a "cantata", rather than an oratorio.
Posted on: 24 July 2001 by Matthew T
A guess at Roberto Gerhard. Not sure if this is the correct 'The Plague'.
Matthew
Posted on: 24 July 2001 by Peter Litwack
Good guess, Matthew. It's a very powerful work. Check it out. The book's not to bad either!
Your turn.
Posted on: 26 July 2001 by Matthew T
Which composer won a prize for his composition 'Our Garden' at the age of 24?
Matthew
Posted on: 29 July 2001 by JamH
I think Arvo Part wrote an early work of
this name but I have never heard it. [I am
not sure of the date so I can't check his age
at the time].
James H.
Posted on: 29 July 2001 by Peter Litwack
I agree with James. The cantata "Meie aed" (Our Garden) was indeed written by Arvo Part, and I believe he won an award for it. He was born in 1935, so the work in question must be from 1959 or 1960. It is for three part children's choir and orchestra, and I've never heard it either.
Posted on: 30 July 2001 by Matthew T
James,
Arvo Part is correct - 1959 was the year in question.
Your turn.
Matthew
Posted on: 30 July 2001 by JamH
Name the opera written, and first performed, in German which is now performed in English. Also,
name the composer.
James H.
Posted on: 31 July 2001 by Peter Litwack
Just a wild guess. Hansel and Gretel?
Posted on: 01 August 2001 by JamH
Sorry it's not Humperdink and 'Hansel and Gretel'.
More info : The composer wrote it in German but
later revised it and produced an English version.
Posted on: 02 August 2001 by Igor Zamberlan
by Gyorgy Ligeti.
I was just passing by, your hint gave it away :-)
Igor
Posted on: 02 August 2001 by JamH
Yes it's Ligeti.
Your turn Igor !!
James H.
The opera was originally issued on Wergo in
German [that's the version I have] but the latest
Sony version is a live recording of a revised version from Paris. According to a review I read
"...There are numerous changes and the opera
is shorter by some ten minutes. The revision also
changes the language from German to English...".
Also, I read in another review that Ligeti now
prefers the English version.
Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Igor Zamberlan
Which composer said of which colleague
"His music reminds me of a rose bonbon filled with snow"?
(I guess it's easy).
As for Ligeti, I also have the Wergo recording, which is quite nice, if not the most comfortable listening experience. I think I will buy the Salonen/Sony in English, I read somewhere that the differences are enough to transfigure the outcome.
Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Todd A
Debussy said that of Grieg.
Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Igor Zamberlan
(sorry I couldn't think of anything better)
Igor
Posted on: 03 August 2001 by Todd A
I can't really think of a good, in-depth, hard one, so here's a Mahler-related question: Which conductor wrote the first piano reduction of Mahler's Second Symphony?
Posted on: 04 August 2001 by JamH
My guess is ...
Hans von Beulow
James H.
Posted on: 06 August 2001 by Todd A
A hint: the conductor is one of his Mahler's two most famous protoges.
Posted on: 06 August 2001 by Peter Litwack
Was it Bruno Walter? Just a guess.
