Advanced search

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: 26 March 2001 by Former member
Todd, you got it, it was the Etudes. I was prompted to ask this question after listening to Mitsuko Uchida's recording of the Etudes (twice!) - this has to be one of the all-time great piano recordings.

Your question, Todd.

Ross

Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Todd A
What exceedingly famous composer began his musical career as one of the "original" Vienna choir boys?

(By original, I mean the initial formation of what is now the Vienna Boys Choir.)

Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Ross-
According to François Lesure's chronologically ordered "Catalogue de l'oeuvre de Claude Debussy", the "Études pour piano" are listed as L 136, while the "Élégie, pour piano" is listed as L 138, making the "Élégie, pour piano" a later work. What is your reference?
Posted on: 26 March 2001 by Former member
Peter, my source is the booklet of the Mitsuko Uchida CD - not exactly unimpeachable. However, as we do not have an indpendent referee, the decision of the person who set the question is final, unless you successfully challenge the answer before the next question is set (I'm obviously making this up as I go along).

To summarise, you may be correct (and it sounds like you probably are), but it's still Todd's question.

Ross

Posted on: 27 March 2001 by Matthew T
Ross,

I think Peter has probably got a better source then you, see below.

So boys choirs...

Matthew
The Truth

Posted on: 27 March 2001 by Former member
Well, that's the last time I trust a CD booklet! Next you'll be telling me that I shouldn't believe what I see on TV.

Ross

Posted on: 27 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Gentlemen-
Thanks for considering my alternative answer to Ross's question. I believe my answer is the correct one. However, I will accede to Ross's ruling and yield the floor to Todd's question.
My guess: Gustav Mahler
Posted on: 27 March 2001 by Todd A
Think a little further back.
Posted on: 27 March 2001 by John Schmidt
quote:
What exceedingly famous composer began his musical career as one of the "original" Vienna choir boys?
(By original, I mean the initial formation of what is now the Vienna Boys Choir.)

I think you are thinking of Franz Schubert, Todd. However, as the Vienna Boys Choir was formed in 1489, I doubt whether Schubert could have been part of the choir at it's formation - unless, like Shirley McLaine, he had a few past lives!

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

[This message was edited by John Schmidt on TUESDAY 27 March 2001 at 21:54.]

Posted on: 27 March 2001 by Todd A
I was actually thinking of Haydn. I heard this little tidbit on a radio broadcast that apparently had some incorrect information. Looks like suspect information abounds in the classical world. Your question, John.
Posted on: 27 March 2001 by John Schmidt
Let's stick with the Vienna Boys Choir for the moment. What "first" did the choir accomplish between 1996 and 1998, and who was involved?

Not required, but for extra bragging rights, what was the previous occupation of the person referred to above?

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 28 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Starting in 1997, under the direction of Agnes Grossman, the Vienna Boy's Choir started admitting girls!
Posted on: 29 March 2001 by John Schmidt
The appointment of Agnes Grossman as the first female choir director was what I was thinking of, so you got it and then some. As a bit of trivia, Agnes Grossman was conductor of the Orchestre Metropolitaine de Montreal (not the MSO)for many years before that.

Take it away, Peter.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Peter Litwack
Two of the greatest piano composers of the Romantic Era dedicated a large scale piano piece to each other (arguably the greatest piano piece by either man). Who were these two titans of Romantic Piano, and what were the respective pieces?
Posted on: 01 April 2001 by JamH
I guess Brahms and Schumann
Posted on: 02 April 2001 by Franz K
I would think its List and Chopin

Possibly Lists h-moll and Chopins B-moll Sonata ?

Franz

Posted on: 02 April 2001 by Peter Litwack
You're both half right. That should narrow it down. Keep guessing.
Posted on: 02 April 2001 by Franz K
So what about Schumanns Fantasie Op 17 and Lists H-moll Sonata?

Franz

Posted on: 02 April 2001 by Peter Litwack
That's exactly right. I love both these pieces (and have struggled mightily to play both of them). The Schumann Fantasie is a bit easier, but the Liszt lays a bit more naturally under the fingers. I just don't have a big enough technique for it.
You're up!
Posted on: 02 April 2001 by Franz K
OK here we go

The central movement of a famous symphonic work was written in reverence to Richard Wagners death.
Here are my questions: Who was the composer, which work and which movement thereof do I refer to?


Franz

Posted on: 02 April 2001 by JamH
I know that Bruckner was writing a
symphony and had a premonition of the
death of Wagner. I can't remember which
one.

He then heard that Wagner had died. He wrote
the symphony thinking of this.


p.s from the sublime to the fun ...

The previous question had possible options
[after hints] :
Brahms + Schumann
Chopin + Listz
Listz + Schumann
Brahms + Chopin
Schumann + Chopin
Schumann + Listz
Listz + Chopin
BRAHMS AND LISTZ

Posted on: 02 April 2001 by JamH
I have cheated [used the Internet] ...

Google gives me from "Bruckner+Death+Wagner"

Adagio of 7th Symphony !!

Posted on: 03 April 2001 by Franz K
Yes, thats the one. So its your turn.

Sorry for the delay in my response, I was late this morning and did not have time to post

Franz

Posted on: 03 April 2001 by JamH
Hello Franz,

Here is my question.

This part of an interview with a living
composer ...

"INTERVIEWER: You wrote your graduate thesis on Bartok's Sonata For Two Pianos And Percussion, and for awhile you seemed to be interested in Bartok.

"COMPOSER: I played several works of Bartok. I liked his work very much.

"INTERVIEWER: It makes sense that you would be interested in Bartok, if you were focused on piano.

"You then played piano with a magician.

"COMPOSER: That was a part-time job. From .... until .... I played almost every night in clubs and bars ... to make a living. And towards the end of my studies, a magician came to the student's dormitory and he asked me to improvise, because I was rather famous in .... amongst the students and younger musicians for improvisation, and I improvised for him and then he accepted my collaboration. We travelled through ...., and he performed his magic and I played the piano, improvising according to his different tricks.

"INTERVIEWER: You were following his movements?

"COMPOSER: Oh yes. And very often covering his movements. So people didn't notice what was happening."


Who is the composer.

James H.

Posted on: 04 April 2001 by Franz K
No idea, any more hints?

Franz