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 February 2001 by Former member
Geez, sorry Matthew, it was I who probably missed his math lessons, somehow my eyes perceived "Mozart" had only five letters, but at least I had a good laugh initially reading your post.
The joke's on me.
Omer.
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Matthew T
OK, the next question!
Who's was the 'forgotten' quintet from An Equal Music?
Posted on: 26 February 2001 by Former member
Posted on: 27 February 2001 by Matthew T
Your wife is correct. Opus 104 in C minor (If I remember correctly).
Your roll.
Matthew
PS A worthy read for those who have not yet (An Equal Music by Vikram Seth).
Posted on: 28 February 2001 by John Schmidt
Omer,
We need a question before the thread drops off the bottom of the page!
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 28 February 2001 by Former member
I'm having troubles finding questions...
Whose drivel is the following :
"Fate ... hangs over our heads like the sword of Damocles and inexorably distils a slow and deadly venom. One must bend to it and abandon oneself to boundless despair..."
and
"This evening I feel sad and am shedding tears because this morning while wandering in the woods I was unable to find a single violet. What an old sniveller I am ..."
Omer.
(spelling mistakes were copied)
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by John Schmidt
....Gustav Mahler?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by Former member
Arye Gur?
(sorry Arye!)
Jonathan
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by Former member
John, it's not Gustav.
Jonathan, unless Arye looks incredibly
young, it's prolly not him.
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by Todd A
Schumann?
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by John Schmidt
quote:
(spelling mistakes were copied)
Can we assume, therefore, that the author's native language was English? Edward Elgar, perhaps? Although I would never have guessed that he was capable of such navel-gazing adolescent treacle.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 01 March 2001 by Former member
Todd, it's not schumann.
John,
QUOTE]
Can we assume, therefore, that the author's native language was English
[/QUOTE]
John, I thought exactly the same thing when I wrote it. A typical English way of expression indeed :-)
It's a bit wierd, because even though the composer is not native English, still the quote is in English with two spelling mistakes that even I detected. So maybe he wrote the actual English quote ? a bit hard to believe, but bear in mind he got an honorary doctorate from Cambridge university.
Omer.
[This message was edited by Omer Shibolet on THURSDAY 01 March 2001 at 22:35.]
Posted on: 02 March 2001 by John Schmidt
quote:
.....he got an honorary doctorate from Cambridge university.
That would be Johannes Brahms, although I believe he declined to accept this degree. Evidently he didn't think much of England.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 02 March 2001 by Former member
It is not Brahmes either.
Our man received his Cambridge honorary doctorate in 1893.
Posted on: 02 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 02 March 2001 by Former member
John,
Pyotr indeed. (It's my second question regarding him, and I'm not crazy about his work).
Yours.
[This message was edited by Omer Shibolet on FRIDAY 02 March 2001 at 19:32.]
Posted on: 03 March 2001 by John Schmidt
With your indulgence, Omer, we'll stay with Tchaikovsky for the next question. It's generally accepted that Tchaikovsky died as a result of a cholera epidemic. A more controversial hypothesis suggested suicide, no doubt encouraged by the melancholic character of the 6th Symphony, which premiered just a week before his death. What were the nature and circumstances of this alleged suicide?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 03 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
It has been said that he underwent a "trial" in a "court of honour" from his old school regarding his sexual behaviour (homosexuality?) and it was decreed that he should commit suicide.
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Tchaikovsky trained as a lawyer at the School of Jurisprudence and worked for several years as a civil servant before taking up music full time. The story goes that, as atonement for the shame brought upon his classmates by a brief homosexual fling, Tchaikovsky should commit suicide by drinking poison.
A much more dramatic story, which means the cholera version is probably the correct one.
Fire away, Peter.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Who conducted the premieres of Mahler's "Das Lied Von Der Erde" and Ninth Symphony?
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Todd A
Bruno Walter?
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Exactly right.
Your turn, Todd.
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Todd A
Who is the famous 20th Century composer pictured here?
Posted on: 05 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Is it Witold Lutoslawski?
Posted on: 06 March 2001 by Todd A
Your question, Peter.
