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: 13 February 2001 by Former member

I'm sure you're all familiar with the enormous talent of Placido Domingo, who has certainly shaken the stereotype of hollow-headed tenor by showing us not only that he can conduct, but but also sing in a German opera. His "rival" Luciano Pavarotti would probably make a great conductor too, but isn't very keen on standing up for long in one spot. He has, however, also appeared in a German opera.

1) Name that opera.
2) What is Pavarotti's explanation for why he has gained so much weight? (hint: related to his previous career)

Vuk.

Posted on: 13 February 2001 by Former member

1) Lohengrin
2) Sitting on his arse in a lorry all day eating chocolate bars (UK Yorkie Bar reference.)

Jonathan

Posted on: 13 February 2001 by Former member

quote:
1) Lohengrin
2) Sitting on his arse in a lorry all day eating chocolate bars (UK Yorkie Bar reference.)

1) Nope. Unless I am mistaken and you can back up your answer.

2) Nope. I'm sure about this one.

Vuk.

Posted on: 13 February 2001 by Former member

I wasn't sure about 1 (I had heard a disk with someone who sounded like him singing some stuff from it - so it was a big guess)

But I thought 2 was right !?

Was he not a lorry driver - or have I got the wrong fat bloke.*

Jonathan

(* No insult intended - I too am a fat bloke - though I only sing Blues)

Posted on: 13 February 2001 by Former member

quote:
Placido Domingo...showing us ....that he can ...also sing in a German opera

That is open to debate.

Ross

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: 13 February 2001 by Former member

Vuk has asked me to step in temporarily for him since he had to depart urgently and has supplied me with the answers.

Given other recent or impending departures, I have been doing a bit of investigating and have discovered that Canada has been recruiting for a new secret service, and that 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, I suspect. Let's hope they return safely.

To return to the quiz, John both your answers are wrong.

The answer to the first question is one you will kick yourself for not knowing when you find it out. I will give you a hint: although the opera is a German one, Pavarotti sings in Italian.

As for the second question, you will have to continue guessing.

Ross

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 Former member

..and maybe eating the stuff he was supposed to deliver??

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 Former member

John,

You got the opera right.

On the previous occupation part, I think Vuk made this up, so I'm going to give you his answer, which was soccer player. No, I can't see it either. Apparently Pavarotti acquired the habit of eating a lot when he was a soccer player and when he had to stop playing soccer he didn't change his eating habits. Sounds very unlikely.

Your question, John.

Ross

PS I asked around the office for the plural of moose, and got some very strange responses.

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 Former member

quote:

A six letter composer with a piece that contains the Clarinet...
Mozart Clarinet Concerto?

LOL, Matthew led the way but did not attend his math lessons, maybe Brahms Clarinet quintet or trio ?

Omer

PS, Peter, I even started searching google's french edition using "a bout de souffle", and it only says the music is by "Marital " something.

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.