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: 21 October 2000 by matthewr
"Born in London of Polish parents, his accent not only wandered around the map, it grew thicker over the years."
Benjamin Frankel
What connects between Alexander Borodin with Adolphe Sax?
Posted on: 21 October 2000 by Phil Barry
"Born in London of Polish parents, his accent not only wandered around the map, it grew thicker over the years."
Stokowski?
Posted on: 22 October 2000 by Former member
Phil's got it. Sorry Matthew. I don't even know who Benjamin Frankel is!
Vuk.
Posted on: 22 October 2000 by Former member
Very nice Vuk, Gesualdo + Grainger are the ones I thought of.
quote:
My search also uncovered the following about some less well-known composers:
Is deadly Gesualdo less well-known than naughty Percy ?? His chromatic works can be quite mesmerizing.
O.
[This message was edited by Omer Shibolet on SUNDAY 22 October 2000 at 12:22.]
Posted on: 22 October 2000 by matthewr
>> I don't even know who Benjamin Frankel is! <<
I must confess neither had I until a friend suggested the answer. Apparently is best known for a violin concerto commenorating the Holocaust and the film music from "The Battle of The Bulge". He was indeed born in London of Polish parents.
My friend also suggested the Borodin/Sax question although I think its rather obscure and I can't imagine anyone would know the answer.
Matthew
Posted on: 22 October 2000 by Former member
Q please
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Phil Barry
Sorry, I missed the part about asking the next question if one get's the answer right.
Who conducted the first electrically recorded Beethoven symphony cycle?
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Todd A
(I think that's how it's spelled)
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 Former member
answer:Odeon issue[d] what are regarded as the first complete recordings of Beethoven symphonies in 1913: the "Odeon Streich-Orchester" under an anonymous conductorquestion:
The composition of a famous work led directly and literally to the insanity of the composer's famous friend. Name the work and the friend.
Vuk.
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 Former member
Is it Weingartner?
BTW--your answer to my question is not what I was after.
Vuk.
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 Former member
quote:
The composition of a famous work led directly and literally to the insanity of the composer's famous friend. Name the work and the friend.
Wagner's Lohengrin led to the insanity of King Ludwig II.
Ross
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Former member
quote:
Wagner's Lohengrin led to the insanity of King Ludwig II.
I had no idea! Wow, Wagner was driving everyone to insanity. Can you name the other, more important friend?
In any case, ask the next question too.
Vuk.
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Former member
More important than the King of Bavaria? No, I don't think I can name the other person. As you'll recall, mad King Ludwig built his house Neuschwanstein (the castle on which the Disneyland castle was based), inspired by Lohengrin, complete with grottoes representing tableaus from the opera. (Neuschwanstein makes Bill Gates' house look like something from a trailer park.)
You will have to provide the identity of the other Wagnerian lunatic.
An easy question: What is the connection between the Toscanini and Horowitz families?
Ross
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Former member
quote:
You will have to provide the identity of the other Wagnerian lunatic.
The opera Parsifal drove Nietsche to insanity.
quote:
An easy question: What is the connection between the Toscanini and Horowitz families?
Vladimir Horowitz married Arturo Toscanini's daughter.
Q: Who is this person?
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Former member
Anne Sofie von Otter.
Parsifal did not drive Nietzsche to insanity (directly or literally). Syphilis drove Nietzsche to insanity - directly and literally.
Ross
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Phil Barry
sorry. withdrawn.
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Former member
PS Tristan und Isolde did lead directly and literally to an outbreak of vomiting amongst female members of the opening night audience, so moved were they by the music (or maybe the seafood canapes).
Ross
Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Former member
Damn! I should have used that as a question.
Okay another easy one: Which composer died after he was shot while working in his garden?
Ross
Posted on: 24 October 2000 by Todd A
??
Posted on: 24 October 2000 by Former member
It was indeed Webern. The year is 1945, just after the close of the war. Webern is happily working in his garden. An allied occupation soldier walks by and evidently finds the appearance of the diminutive composer in his garden threatening (Webern is presumably brandishing his pruning shears in a provocative fashion). The allied soldier pulls out his revolver and despatches the gardener, tragically cutting short the career of one of the great composers of the century (or, if you are Mike Hanson, thankfully ridding the world of a ninny).
Over to you, Todd.
Ross
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.)
