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: 17 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Is it Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera"?
(Samuel & Tom are going to assassinate Riccardo)
[This message was edited by Peter Litwack on SATURDAY 17 March 2001 at 22:27.]
[This message was edited by Peter Litwack on SATURDAY 17 March 2001 at 22:31.]
Posted on: 18 March 2001 by Former member
Peter, you got it! Your question.
I've always found it amusing that the conspirators choose "death" as the password by which they will recognise each other at the masked ball. Don't you think a bunch of guys wandering around a party saying "Death? Excuse me, death anyone? Death over here?" are going to attract a certain amount of attention. But I guess that's why they paid Verdi the big lira.
Ross
Posted on: 18 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Who wrote two string quartets that could be played either independently, or simultaneously as a string octet?
Posted on: 19 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Would that be the Mendelssohn octet in E-flat major?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 19 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
No - you're way off
Posted on: 19 March 2001 by Todd A
Louis Spohr. I know he wrote a bunch of double quartets.
Posted on: 19 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
No-you're even further off. Go the other way.
Posted on: 20 March 2001 by Todd A
1.) Benedict Mason
2.) Iannis Xenakis
3.) Witold Lutoslawski
Posted on: 20 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Todd-
1.) No
2.) No
3.) No
Hint: He was born in Aix en Provence
Posted on: 20 March 2001 by Todd A
Milhaud?
Posted on: 20 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Quartets #14 and #15 were designed to also be played together as an octet! Not only that, he was Jewish!
Posted on: 21 March 2001 by Todd A
Name this composer. Hint: He is quite well known for film music.
Posted on: 21 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
That would be Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
BTW, I used to have a vinyl recording of his Violin Concerto, Op. 35, by Ulf Hoelscher. Everyone knows the Heifitz recording, but this one was beautifully recorded and played with real heart. Dick Shahinian turned me on to it many years ago, and I can't seem to find it on CD. Any ideas?
Posted on: 21 March 2001 by Todd A
Your turn, Peter. And no, I have no idea if that performance is available on CD, though now I'm tempted to look. I must say that I am pleased with the Shaham / Previn version I own, so another version may be worthwhile.
Posted on: 22 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Who wrote an opera, based on a comic strip, in which three of the main leads are a dog, a badger, and a fox? Also, what is the opera's name?
Posted on: 23 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
I noticed that this topic has now fallen to a four star ranking, after many months at five stars. Any ideas as to the reason? Are our esoteric questions pissing people off, or what? Just curious for some feedback.
Posted on: 25 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
The comic strip appeared in a Brno newspaper in 1920.
Posted on: 25 March 2001 by Former member
The Cunning Little Vixen?
Posted on: 25 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Ross-
I assume you also know the answer to the first part of the question. I knew my hint would give it away. I just love Janacek's operas. The Cunning Little Vixen is probably my favorite. I have the Mackerras recording, which is beautiful. A very moving work.
You're up!
Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Former member
Peter, I coudn't agree more about Mackerras' version of the Cunning Little Vixen, a wonderful recording of a delightful opera. (As a coincidence, Charles Mackerras' brother, Alastair Mackerras was the headmaster of my high school.)
Next question: what was Debussy's final work for piano?
Ross
Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Matthew T
Page D'album (Piece Pour Le Vetement Du Blesse)
Still only 4 stars after repeated ratings.
Matthew
Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
"En Blanc et Noir" was also written in 1915, but it was for two pianos. Does this count? Also, I'm not sure of the exact date. Maybe "Pièce pour le Vêtement du blessé" was written later in 1915. Anyone know the exact dates?
Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Former member
Neither of those answers is correct.
Ross
Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Elegie?
[This message was edited by Peter Litwack on MONDAY 26 March 2001 at 21:34.]
Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Todd A
Either the 12 Etudes or the Epigraphes antiques. (You didn't specify whether it was for solo or four-hands piano.)
