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: 24 January 2001 by Matthew T
That quote was in the native tongue of the composer.
I'm fleeing the country on Friday and wouldn't want to leave you in the lurch for 3 weeks. So more clues to follow if answers are not forthcoming.
Matthew
PS Florian, what sort of epic question are you pulling together here?
Posted on: 24 January 2001 by Matthew T
Nope. Correctly placed the quote though.
Matthew
Posted on: 25 January 2001 by Matthew T
OK, Another clue.
The premiere for this piece was conducted by Henry Wood.
Later....
Well, I'll leave you guessing. I suggest somebody steps in asks away. I will be incognito for 3 weeks.
Matthew
[This message was edited by Matthew Thoelke on THURSDAY 25 January 2001 at 17:03.]
Posted on: 25 January 2001 by Todd A
quote:
I suggest somebody steps in asks away.
I'll be more than glad to. I think no one knows the answer to the quote question. I know I'm befuddled.
Anyway, name the French composer pictured in the attachment.
Posted on: 26 January 2001 by Todd A
'Tis not Camille.
Hint: this composer is best known for his piano music. (Though he's not that well known.)
Posted on: 26 January 2001 by John Schmidt
Erik Satie or Claude Debussy.
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 26 January 2001 by Todd A
As I will not be internet enabled this weekend, I open the question to the first person to ask one.
The answer is Charles Valentin Alkan.
Posted on: 27 January 2001 by John Schmidt
This popular piece was originally scored for soprano and eight cellos. What's the piece and who is the composer?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 28 January 2001 by Peter Litwack
Are you referring to "Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5"?
Posted on: 29 January 2001 by John Schmidt
Next question please, Peter
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Peter Litwack
What 20th Century composer wrote the piano piece "Fantasy on Flamenco Rhythms"?
Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Todd A
de Falla?
Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Peter Litwack
Sorry Todd, it wasn't de Falla.
Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Jon Moxon
Posted on: 29 January 2001 by Peter Litwack
Nope. It wasn't "Da Brawd" And it ain't Da Kidd.
Posted on: 31 January 2001 by Todd A
Frank Martin?
Posted on: 31 January 2001 by Peter Litwack
Good work! Actually, I tried entering "Fantasy on Flamenco Rhythms" into Google, and was immediately directed to a Frank Martin page. Did you find it like this? Just curious. I have a recording of this great piece on LP, and also bought the sheet music (quite thorny to read through), but have not been able to get my hands on a CD of it. His "Huit Preludes" are also quite good, and there is a CD of Martin himself playing it, but not the "Fantasy". Check it out. BTW, are you familiar with the "Mass for Two Four Part Choirs"? Really beautiful. Heard it sung by the Swedish Radio Choir in Grace Cathedral (San Francisco), quite a few years ago. Worth a listen, if you like a cappella choir music.
You're up, Todd.
Posted on: 31 January 2001 by Todd A
Name the attached composer. Shouldn't be too hard.
And how did I find the answer? Alta Vista. My original guess was a WAG (wild ass guess).
Posted on: 01 February 2001 by Todd A
He's American born of Italian parents.
Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Todd A
He won the pulitzer prize twice (in 1948 and 1961) and wrote the The Incredible Flutist. Naxos recently released two discs of his music, and the exact piture I posted is in the liner notes of one of them.
Posted on: 02 February 2001 by Todd A
You are correct Jonathan. Your question.
I thought this would have been answered more quickly. Walter Piston is definitely an overlooked composer. Just try his violin concertos on Naxos, and you'll hear why I write that.
Posted on: 06 February 2001 by John Schmidt
quote:
....large organ and female chorus.
You are, of course, referring to a musical instrument?
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
Posted on: 07 February 2001 by Todd A
Ralph Vaughn Williams?
Posted on: 07 February 2001 by Nigel Cavendish
Well Percy Grainger springs to mind.
Otherwise, thinking that tarry trousers might be a nautical type reference, Britten's Billy Budd?
cheers
Nigel
Posted on: 07 February 2001 by John Schmidt
Ralph Vaughan Williams Symphony #1 "A Sea Symphony".
Cheers,
John Schmidt
"90% of everything is crud" - Theodore Sturgeon
