Classical Quiz
Posted by: John Schmidt on 17 October 2000
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
Gunther (or a Tarnhelmed Siegfried disguised as Gunther) returns to the rock to claim Brunnhilde (who is naturally less than happy about the prospect).
For my next question, I will ask something very easy which should be answered within five minutes.
Which musical work was sub-titled (depending on the translation) as "a Soviet artist's constructive response to justified criticism"? So that the question isn't too easy, in addition to identifying the "constructive response", also identify the work which had been the subject of the "justified criticism".
Ross
Let me think of a question.
[This message was edited by Omer Shibolet on SATURDAY 25 November 2000 at 20:54.]
Too bad you only have little fragments of it left, even though earlier works of mine are available in whole.
Who am I ?
What is this missing composition ?
Ross
quote:
Omer, you might have to give us some more clues.
Who's Omer ??? right, reading it again I realised it's a little bit "out of nowhere" for you 21th century ignorants.
OK, many musicologists would also say that I wrote the first "worthy" and important opera, and that I was the one to show the power of this genre. May I also add that I also consider myself to be the most important coposer of my time.
Me.
(Damn I feel silly writing this in first person, let's get it over with !!!)
[This message was edited by Omer Shibolet on MONDAY 27 November 2000 at 15:35.]
And the lost opera is ?
Either Le nozze d'Enea con Lavinia or Arianna.
Ross,
I just zoomed in on this with my trusty search engine after you did the heavy lifting. Next question is properly yours.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Wake up Ross !
My answer was inspired guesswork. John did the hardwork in figuring out which opera it was - he can have the question (and I don't think I have any questions left!).
Ross
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
John, you're going to have to help us out with a clue.
Ross
quote:
Who said "Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end"?
Don't know, but I think I know to whom he said it - Peter Gabriel in the early seventies ?
b) Webern
Igor
Next question, please.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
(should be easy)
Igor
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"95% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Ross
Igor (sorry if that was hard, I thought the thing was better known)
Your clue gave the game away (but it was a hard question). I quote this from the Gramophone review of the recording: "her Offertorium is a brilliantly clever game in which the Thema Regium from Bach's Musical Offering is first dematerialized (by removing its outermost notes two by two until only the central E remains) and then remade (by the reverse process, this time so that the theme emerges backwards)".
This sounds intriguing, so I will have to go out today and try to find it.
Next question, in the same vein: what is Webern's connection with Bach?
Ross
Regards
Igor
Igor
[This message was edited by Igor Zamberlan on MONDAY 04 December 2000 at 10:13.]
Your question again.
Ross
Igor