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 November 2000 by Former member

No, on both counts. Have another go.

Posted on: 22 November 2000 by Former member

Here's a clue: the character is Shakespearean (and it's not Macbeth).

Ross

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Igor Zamberlan

Jago, "Credo in un Dio crudel"

"La Morte è il Nulla.
è vecchia fola il Ciel."
(After death, there's nothing: the Sky is an old lie)

Igor

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

Well done, Igor! Your question.

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Igor Zamberlan

There is a (supposed) relationship between Rameau's Zoroastre and Mozart's Zauberfloete. Which one?

Igor

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

Zoroastre and Zauberfloete ?

They both start with a 'Z', end with a 'e', and the mutual (symetric) difference yields "beef soul".

Omer.

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by John Schmidt

My guess is that both these works are laden with images derived from Freemasonry.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Igor Zamberlan

John: you got it - your turn.

Omer: a nice attampt, I had a good laugh, only marred by the fact that the oe in Zauberfloete should really be an o with a umlaut, but I am too lazy to reach trhe ASCII table to put in the right character...

Igor

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by John Schmidt

Of the three songs most requested by death-row inmates in American prisons before their executions, two are The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, and Amazing Grace. What's the third song?

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

"Stairway to Heaven"?

Yet, this is a classical quiz--it boggles my mind too much to think that 2 of the 3 top choices are classical! OK, these inmates muct be getting their knowledge from TV commercials, so it's got to be the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth. I wonder if they have a preference for conductor?

Vuk.

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by John Schmidt

Neither Stairway to Heaven nor Beethoven's 9th.

Here's a couple of hints:

1. You're right Vuk, I'm stretching it putting this question into a classical forum. But the answer is so ridiculous I couldn't resist.

2. You've probably sung this song yourself on a long high-school bus trip to pass the time.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

quote:
You've probably sung this song yourself on a long high-school bus trip to pass the time.

99 bottles of beer on the wall? No, that would have been grade school. The high-school I went to was very rough and no male student would have dared engage in something as bound to get you beat up as singing on a bus.

Vuk.

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by John Schmidt

That's it, Vuk. You're up.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

John.

I was just joking!!! How on earth can that be the answer? Presumably, after suffering through a recording of this, death is more than welcome.

My question: why is the number 1003 significant to opera fans?

Vuk.

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

Easy: Mille e tre!

The number of spanish fucks had by Don Giovanni.

Ross

I will have to think hard for my next question.

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

What did Mr and Mrs Goldberg do on their honeymoon?*

*according to Woody Allen.

Ross

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Former member

I had a suspicion this was going to be too easy for Don Blackman, the only guy up this late (relative to my time) on the forum. Before I reply to his question, I am also tempted to award a Worst Pun Snappy for the "think hard" comment.

"For years I thought the Goldberg Variations were something Mr. and Mrs. Goldberg tried on their wedding night." --Woody Allen

Next question, appropriately in the form of a riddle and in keeping with tonight's theme: he who penetrates something hot gets the girl. Who is he, who is next?

Vuk.

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

This riddle somehow reminds me of Orpheus's hell adventures according to Ovid :

The guy penetrates something hot (Hades's hell) to get the girl (Eurydice). He succeeds in taking her, but ultimately fails as he looks back to see her following him, something he was told not to do. So she disappears, and since then he avioded women and turned to men company alone.

So who's next ? his boyfriend.

Omer.

BTW, the music connection of course - At least two composers (Monteverdi, Gluck) composed Orpheus operas.

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

Omer.

Very good try, but I'm looking for something else--the penetration is along the lines of what you are suggesting, but a little more literal.

Vuk.

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by John Schmidt

In Magic Flute, Tamino has to pass an ordeal by fire in order to prove his worthiness of Pamina, who also must pass the ordeal.

Cheers,

John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

John.

You are getting even closer! My use of the word "riddle" is a bit of a hint (a very tiny hit, though).

Vuk.

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

I think I have it.

Siegfried penetrates the fire to get Brunnhilde ("That's no man!").

But who is next? What does this mean? And what is this reference to a riddle?

Ross

P.S. This reminds me of another Woody Allen line which Don Giovanni would have approved of: "Sex without love is a meaningless experience. But as meaningless experiences go, it's one of the best."

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

Yes you do Ross, but then follow the story to the next opera to finish the job.

Vuk.

P.S. Gernams love riddles and there is a famous riddle sequence in "Siegfried". That was the obscure hint. I did say it was tiny.

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

Hmm, you could be referring to one of two things.

If by "who is next?" you mean which girl is next, then this would be Gutrune.

However, if you mean who goes into the fire next, then this must be Brunnhilde riding Grane into the fire.

Am I missing something?

Ross

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Former member

hint: Tarnhelm