Classical Quiz

I think both wrote works on the theme of the railroad: Honnegger's symphonic poem, Pacific 231 and Alkan's piano etude, Le chemin de fer.

Cheers,

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

I think I can, I think I can...

Hello John,

You CAN. -- your turn !!

James H.

Regular readers of this thread have heard a lot about the famous rivalry between Wagner and Brahms, and their respective supporters. Two 20th century giants had their own similar rivalry for 40 years. The story had a different outcome than the Brahms/Wagner struggle in that upon the death of one, the other began to experiment with his ideas. Who were the two composers?

Cheers,

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

Stravinsky and Schonberg ?

I know Stravinsky started off hating seialism but
then changed his mind and started writing serial music.

Take it away.

Cheers,

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

Thanks John,
Here is my question ....

This composer is really only known for one work [and most record shops have lots of different recordings of it] although he did write other things.

But he is also important in music education for children and has written a set of short pieces to be sung/played by young children.

Who is he ?

Jame H.

I guess the composer you think of is Carl Orff. He
is only known for Carmina Burana. He wrote stuff for the musical education of children where he used the xylophone a lot (as far as I can remember from my time at the kindergarten).

Bye,
Wolfgang

Hello Wolfgang,

You are right -- your turn.

Best wishes

James H.

There is a quartet written for violin, clarinet, cello and piano. It was written for this strange combination of instruments because these were the only ones available at the place where it was written and performed the first time. The cello which was used in the premier even had only three strings.

Please name the composer and the title of the quartet.

Olivier Messiaen

"Quatour Pour le Fin de Temps"

("Quartet for the End of Time", for you non-French speaking types)

Beautiful work-it was written in a WWII prison camp, hence the strange instrumentation. Wrote a college thesis on Messiaen and played many of his organ works as a student. Even played some of the "Quatour" in chamber music class. Terrific composer!

Wolfgang-I'm waiting for you to confirm my answer. Is that the piece you're asking about?
I can't really post my question until you respond. I think those are the rules, but if I don't hear from you in a reasonable time, I guess I'll go ahead.

Sorry for the delay!

I had no internet connection the last couple of days. Your are correct. Your question Peter

Ciao,
Wolfgang

What Late Romantic Cantata, scored for narrator, six solo voices, two choruses and an orchestra calling for, amongst other things, four piccolos, ten horns and a battery of percussion instruments that includes iron chains, was written by a composer better known for his innovative 20th century musical style?

Schoenberg, of course.

Right on Todd. Do you like this piece? I love it.

I have provided the answer to this question in a prior thread so it should be easy. Who wrote music inspired by and named The Communist Manifesto.

And, Peter, do I like the Gurrelieder? I'm luke warm on it. I'm generally not a big fan of choral works and cantatas, though I am gaining a greater appreciation of such works. I do rather enjoy other works by Scoenberg, however.

I dont know but I guess Luigi Nono [who dies a few years ago and was a communist from Venice]

Sorry for last reply ... its not Nono.

I did search and got [from one of your posts] !!

"Erwin Schulhoff ...

"As some regular forum members may have noticed, I’m rather partial to Erwin Schulhoff. ... The Nazis cut his life short; he died in a concentration camp during the war. These factors help explain the dearth of music available by him
Some of you may have read that he is “famous” for putting the Communist Manifesto to music. Well, that may or may not be the case, and I have not found a recording of that work to listen to".

James H.

P.S. Sorry to say I never heard of him. But I'll look out for his works.

Your turn, James.

This American composer joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War and fought against Franco. When he got back to America his passport was revoked. He then went to live in Mexico.

Two questions ....

1) Who was he ?
2) Which instrument is he most associated with ?

James H.

Conlon Nancarrow and his player piano?

Yes Todd,

You are correct -- your turn !!

James H.

What famous composer was a long-time lover to George Sand?

Chopin?

I hope not, because I'll hard a very hard time coming up with a question. But I can't resist.

Phil

Your turn, Phil. This'll teach ya.