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: 23 October 2000 by Phil Barry
Nope. I believe Nikisch did the first (acoustical) recording of the 5th Symphony, but not a complete cycle.
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Phil Barry
answer:
Odeon issue[d] what are regarded as the first complete recordings of Beethoven symphonies in 1913: the "Odeon Streich-Orchester" under an anonymous conductor

Comment: very interesting fact, but not the answer - I specified 'electrical' recording; I trust the 1913 effort was acoustical. ( I know the answer to my question - I think, so at least - but I've forgotten the answer to the question Vuk answered.

Was Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique the work? If so, Harriett Smithson was the friend.

Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Phil Barry
Felix Weingartner was indeed the conductor of the first electrically recorded Beethoven cycle.
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Phil Barry
sorry. withdrawn.
Posted on: 24 October 2000 by Todd A
??
Posted on: 24 October 2000 by Todd A
A Pope once purportedly said, during confession, "[G]o tell your sins to your piano" to what famous composer?
Posted on: 24 October 2000 by Phil Barry
Beethoven (actually, I'm really not sure of this, but I have a great question to ask.)
Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Todd A
'Tis neither Beethoven nor Puccini.
Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Nigel Cavendish
Verdi?

cheers

Nigel

Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Todd A
Nope. Next. (Maybe this wasn't so easy.)
Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Nigel Cavendish
...cos I'm only guessing - Chopin.

cheers

Nigel

Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Todd A
Chopin's not the one.

Hey, where's Vuk's response. He did write that you can find so many of these answers on the net.

Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Todd A
You are correct Vuk. The Pope allegedly told good old Ferenc this after a rather lenghty confession that seemingly never ended. Your question.
Posted on: 25 October 2000 by John Schmidt
1) The first trombonist died.

2) The second trombonist slept with the conductor. (I was going to say "she", but, given the times and the nature of creative people, this seems too restrictive)

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Phil Barry
Ah, well, now I'm not so sure it's a good question.

We have the first Beethoven Symphony cycle from Vuk, and the first electrically recorded cycle, also from Vuk. Who conducted the first attributed Beethoven cycle?

And/or, since the previous question may get some flak, about whom was it said, after his 1st rehearsal with his new orchestra, 'Not much of a musician, but a hell of a nice fellow'?

Kudos on the Liszt and trombonist questions.

Posted on: 26 October 2000 by Phil Barry
Ross,

Yup, Reiner was the conductor. After firing at least one person and trashing the abilities of others, one CSO wag made that statement. Reported in a biography of Reiner, the particulars of which I'veforgotten. If anyone cares, e-mail me and I'll look it up. The orchestra members who survived were very pleased with the musical results, BTW.

By 'attributed', I mean 'with a named conductor'.

[This message was edited by Phil Barry on THURSDAY 26 October 2000 at 14:53.]

Posted on: 26 October 2000 by Todd A
I've been wanting to ask this one: what composer once said "My purpose is to eliminate purpose."????
Posted on: 26 October 2000 by Todd A
But a good guess.
Posted on: 27 October 2000 by Todd A
Your question.
Posted on: 27 October 2000 by John Schmidt
Hmmmm,

Strauss was second only to Wagner for writing over-the-top marathon epics about the struggles of Aryan heroes. So I'd guess at someone obsessed with these kinds of spectacles: Adolf Hitler.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 28 October 2000 by John Schmidt
a three-parter. By papal edict, this work could only be performed in the Sistine Chapel during Easter celebrations. Copying or distributing the work outside the Vatican was punishable by excommunication.

1) What is the work?
2) Who is the composer?
3) How did the work eventually become available outside the Vatican?

quote:
I think it's unlikely that attending an opera ranks very highly on any 16 year-old's list
of things to do.

This was 1905: no video games, no internet, no TV, no radio, recordings on wax cylinders, but myths of Teutonic struggles pounded into your head by rote from the day you entered school, if not sooner

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 28 October 2000 by John Schmidt
Correct, Omer.

The 3rd question involved Mozart. Mozart visited the Vatican with his father as a 12-year old boy during the Easter season. He wrote out the Miserere from memory after hearing it once, then returned for a second hearing to correct a few details.

If you'd like more details, check out this link: http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/works/allegri/miserere.html

Next question is yours.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 30 October 2000 by Igor Zamberlan
1. Erik Satie
2. Vexations
3. John Cage, if I remember correctly.

If I am correct, my question: what's the story behind John Cage's "Cheap Imitation"?

Igor

[This message was edited by Igor Zamberlan on MONDAY 30 October 2000 at 11:01.]

Posted on: 31 October 2000 by John Schmidt
quote:
what's the story behind John Cage's "Cheap Imitation"?

Cage wanted to use an arrangement for two pianos of Erik Satie's Socratesto accompany some choreography, but was refused permission. So he made a "cheap imitation".

If I'm right, here's the next question:

About a week after the premiere of this piece, the composer died as a result of drinking unboiled water during a cholera epidemic. The melancholic character of the work led to wide-spread (and incorrect) speculation that the death was a suicide.

Name the composer and the piece.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 31 October 2000 by Todd A
Furtwangler?