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Classical Music Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Classical Music Quizzes, Trivia

Classical Music Trivia

Classical Music Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
The Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic and Modern periods all fall under the heading 'Classical.'
181 Classical Music quizzes and 2,534 Classical Music trivia questions.
1.
  All About The Girl   best quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Women's Names in Classical Music
Queens and empresses, saints, scorned lovers and peasant girls are women that inspired some of the most beautiful classical music pieces. Match the composition with the girl's name to the composer.
Easier, 10 Qns, tiye, Aug 29 24
Recommended for grades: 10,11,12
Easier
tiye gold member
Aug 29 24
108 plays
2.
  Suite Dreams Are Made of This    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the suite to its composer.
Easier, 10 Qns, dellastreet, May 07 23
Recommended for grades: 9,10,11,12
Easier
dellastreet gold member
May 07 23
185 plays
3.
  Classical Composers Through History    
Classification Quiz
 12 Qns
Common Practice period
The Common Practice period marked the flourishing era of Western classical music. It comprises the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic styles, roughly spanning the years from 1580 to 1910. Let's learn a few things about its greatest composers.
Average, 12 Qns, Gispepfu, Apr 02 23
Recommended for grades: 9,10,11,12
Average
Gispepfu
Apr 02 23
350 plays
4.
  Surprising Facts Behind Popular Classics   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Are you a classical music "dummy" who has occasionally wondered about the various classical pieces which turn up in movies, on TV, at weddings, etc? This quiz is for you. Good luck!
Average, 25 Qns, jouen58, Aug 09 23
Average
jouen58
Aug 09 23
5106 plays
5.
  Alphabet of Musical Oddities   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Composers, conductors, instruments or musical instructions from A to Z. Can you find the odd one out in these sets? Nearly all of them are taken from the world of classical music.
Average, 25 Qns, Lottie1001, Aug 07 24
Average
Lottie1001 gold member
Aug 07 24
1954 plays
6.
Melodies and Motifs Classical
  Melodies and Motifs: Classical    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Here are ten snippets of melodies from classical pieces. Can you name them all?
Average, 10 Qns, qrayx, Sep 03 23
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Average
qrayx
Sep 03 23
272 plays
7.
  Don't Be so Modest, Mussorgsky!   popular trivia quiz  
Ordering Quiz
 10 Qns
A quiz on "Pictures at an Exhibition"
Modest Mussorgsky's 1874 masterpiece "Pictures at an Exhibition" is a suite of ten piano pieces tied together by a recurring "Promenade" theme. Each movement is a musical description of various paintings by his friend Viktor Hartmann, who died in 1873.
Average, 10 Qns, reedy, Feb 21 23
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Average
reedy gold member
Feb 21 23
101 plays
8.
  Temporal Rift    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A rift in time opened up right in the middle of my rehearsal - there are composers from the past here right now! Can you help determine which musical period each of these composers need to go back to?
Average, 10 Qns, reedy, Jan 19 22
Recommended for grades: 10,11,12
Average
reedy gold member
Jan 19 22
4773 plays
9.
  That Glorious Song of Old   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some of the best loved songs and arias come from opera, operettas and oratorios. Come for a musical journey with me to visit some of the best known songs of old.
Average, 10 Qns, rossian, Oct 23 17
Average
rossian editor
2182 plays
10.
Melodies and Motifs Classical Pianos
  Melodies and Motifs: Classical Pianos    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Here are ten snippets of melodies from well-known piano pieces. Do you recognize them?
Average, 10 Qns, qrayx, Jan 19 23
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Average
qrayx
Jan 19 23
179 plays
trivia question Quick Question
The classic "Don Giovanni" was composed by this great composer from Salzburg, Austria. Who is this classical type?

From Quiz "Listening to Music the Classical Way"




11.
  A Symphony of Animals   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz, inspired by an Author Challenge by kyleisalive, features a brief survey of animals in classical music. How many do you recognize?
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, Jul 22 11
Average
stedman editor
1483 plays
12.
  The World's Greatest Conductors   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In the world of Western classical music, the phenomenon of the conductor as superstar really dates from the early part of the twentieth century. How many of these famous maestros can you identify?
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, Mar 08 13
Average
stedman editor
1685 plays
13.
Melodies and Motifs Classical Again
  Melodies and Motifs: Classical Again    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Here are ten more snippets of melodies from classical pieces. Can you name them all?
Average, 10 Qns, qrayx, Sep 03 22
Recommended for grades: 11,12
Average
qrayx
Sep 03 22
156 plays
14.
  Ten Great Pianists   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As a solo instrument, the piano is second to none in classical music, and many internationally famed players have made their mark as performers. This quiz tests your knowledge of just ten of them.
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, May 26 11
Average
stedman editor
1253 plays
15.
  Symphonies and their Nicknames   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Many symphonies over the years have had names attached to them: sometimes by the composer, sometimes not. Can you match the composer with the named symphony?
Average, 25 Qns, stedman, Nov 16 13
Average
stedman editor
1960 plays
16.
  Classical Music--Symphonic Nicknames   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Many pieces of symphonic music have been given 'nicknames' either by the composer or by others, e.g. Shubert's Symphony No. 8 is called 'The Unfinished'. Match the symphony with the composer.
Average, 15 Qns, Pat6789, Aug 09 02
Average
Pat6789
3761 plays
17.
  Animals in Classical Music   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Several classical composers have named one or more of their works after an animal. Here are some questions about these classical compositions.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Dec 12 10
Average
JanIQ gold member
891 plays
18.
  Ten Great Violinists   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
From the start of the nineteenth century to the present day, many great solo violinists have made their mark in the world of classical music. This quiz tests your knowledge of just ten of them.
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, May 02 09
Average
stedman editor
1623 plays
19.
  Orchestras of the World   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are many first-class orchestras active throughout the world today. Can you identify some of the most famous from these clues?
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, Apr 14 11
Average
stedman editor
2086 plays
20.
  The Curse of the Ninth Symphony   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Beethoven completed nine symphonies before his death. Since then, some composers have been superstitious about reaching this total, and a surprising number have in fact failed to make it to number ten. This quiz tests your knowledge of some of them.
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, Dec 19 08
Average
stedman editor
2233 plays
21.
  Classics From the Crypt   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
With Halloween nearly upon us, I thought I'd do a quiz on some works from the classical repertoire which have a touch (or more) of the macabre or sinister about them. Proceed at your own risk...
Average, 10 Qns, jouen58, Nov 01 04
Average
jouen58
1030 plays
22.
  Classical Music in Popular Culture   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Classical music is not just heard in the symphony hall. The work of the classical masters is often used in movies and popular songs. In this quiz you will be asked to identify classical works and their composers used in movies and popular recordings.
Average, 20 Qns, Akhnaten, Feb 02 13
Average
Akhnaten
1848 plays
23.
  Places in Classical Music    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
In this quiz, the composer of a piece of music has referenced a particular place which may possibly have influenced him, in naming it. Can you identify the place from the description?
Easier, 10 Qns, davejacobs, Apr 17 22
Easier
davejacobs
Apr 17 22
256 plays
24.
  Back to the Fugue editor best quiz   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How do you pronounce "fugue"? Say the word "few" and add a hard G (like at the end of "dog") to the end. Now that we've covered that, we can move on to questions like "What are some features of fugues?" and "What are some famous fugues"?
Average, 10 Qns, celicadriver, Oct 15 11
Average
celicadriver
1849 plays
25.
  Welcome to The Proms   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts have for many years played a central role in London's musical life. This quiz is a short introduction to the history, music and strange rituals attached to this great music festival.
Average, 15 Qns, stedman, Dec 20 04
Average
stedman editor
666 plays
26.
  Requiem   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
You can't get closer to Christian music than Requiem Masses, which are among the most stirring of musical compositions. Requiems have been created by several well known classical composers, and some lesser known. Can you identify them from the clues?
Average, 10 Qns, davejacobs, May 30 19
Average
davejacobs
May 30 19
177 plays
27.
  The Invasion of Classical Music   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
From Bugs Bunny to the silver screen, you have slowly been brainwashed to accept classical music in your daily life without even knowing its true origins. So, who are the composers who penned these catchy tunes?
Average, 10 Qns, triviasoprano, Dec 10 21
Average
triviasoprano
Dec 10 21
2429 plays
28.
  Verirrt in der Uebersetzung    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The title is German for "Lost in Translation". Some German lyrics of classical music were translated into English, but the melody was "lost in translation". Can you answer a question if I give you the translated lyrics? Sing along if you dare.
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Aug 29 21
Average
JanIQ gold member
Aug 29 21
157 plays
29.
  Light Classics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a very light hearted quiz about classical music. I hope you enjoy it.
Average, 10 Qns, Serenesh, Nov 08 18
Average
Serenesh gold member
Nov 08 18
337 plays
30.
  All in the Family    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Musical talent runs in certain families. What do you know about these classical composers and their musical family members?
Average, 10 Qns, JanIQ, Jun 22 16
Average
JanIQ gold member
170 plays
31.
  Classically Yours   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Every artistic genius, brilliant as one may be, needs inspiration. Think you know the secret behind the great classics?
Average, 10 Qns, cdauphinais, Nov 04 12
Average
cdauphinais
494 plays
32.
  Crank it Up a Notch   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Classical music is often seen as gentle and mellow, but there are many pieces that, when played during quiet hours at full volume, will lead to the neighbors calling the cops on you. See how much you know about these pieces that crank it up a notch!
Average, 10 Qns, eyhung, Feb 04 15
Average
eyhung
338 plays
33.
  Music for Chamber Wind Ensemble   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome to the colorful world of the chamber wind ensemble! From Baroque to Modern, we will explore composers, genres, and pieces from this beautiful and highly listenable repertoire. Note: the word "horn" in this quiz refers to the French horn.
Average, 10 Qns, celicadriver, Oct 24 13
Average
celicadriver
194 plays
34.
  Classical Musical Classics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Classical music is a wonderful source of entertainment for everyone young and old. In this quiz, I will give you a classic, and you give me the name of the composer.
Average, 10 Qns, richicago, Aug 12 21
Average
richicago
Aug 12 21
1664 plays
35.
  Classical, Baroque, and Romantic Music    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Whether you are a music veteran or one who just took a music theory class - there is a lot of information about music history in this quiz. Hope you enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, klavierstueck, Jun 28 10
Average
klavierstueck
538 plays
36.
  Bells and Whistles    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Classical orchestras can be more interesting than you'd think - sometimes you find the most unlikely instruments alongside the violins and clarinets.
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, Nov 08 12
Average
stedman editor
513 plays
37.
  Music for the Human Voice    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
From the 11th century motets of Hildegarde von Bingen to the Masses of J.S. Bach to the works of modern composers like Britten and Vaughn Williams, choral and operatic music has provided some of the most powerful and beautiful pieces in existence today.
Average, 10 Qns, kevinatilusa, May 15 03
Average
kevinatilusa
737 plays
38.
  Have a very Classical Christmas!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Composers through the ages have taken inspiration from Christmas for their musical works. This quiz invites you to identify some of them and their works.
Average, 10 Qns, stedman, Dec 03 20
Average
stedman editor
Dec 03 20
773 plays
39.
  Mixed, Musical Bits    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is a hodgepodge of trivia from the world of classical music. Some of it is well-known and some of it isn't.- See how you get on.
Average, 10 Qns, Jomarion, Sep 27 11
Average
Jomarion
501 plays
40.
  Building the Chamber Ensemble from 1 to 11    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about pieces of music for just one player all the way up to 11 players. Mostly for mixed winds, strings, and/or keyboard, they are from the Baroque era through the 20th century.
Average, 10 Qns, celicadriver, Mar 21 14
Average
celicadriver
181 plays
41.
  Classical Music Volume 1    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are some classical music questions that I think you'll enjoy...
Average, 10 Qns, mkp51, Jul 21 06
Average
mkp51
2333 plays
42.
  Made in America? You Better Believe It!    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
How well do you know your works by American composers? Take this quiz to find out?
Average, 15 Qns, bmrsnr, May 30 19
Average
bmrsnr
May 30 19
514 plays
43.
  Not opera, but the next best thing...    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I wrote this quiz while working on my first opera. This quiz is my expression of appreciation for those great composers who influenced me without having written any great operas themselves.
Average, 10 Qns, Arpeggionist, Dec 25 21
Average
Arpeggionist
Dec 25 21
530 plays
44.
  Symphonic Poems    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
An 'invention' of Franz Liszt, the symphonic poem was very popular in the second half of the 19th century. Can you name the composer of the following symphonic poems?
Average, 10 Qns, aiken, Sep 09 22
Average
aiken
Sep 09 22
669 plays
45.
  Samples of Classical Music Types    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a further exploration of musical terms that refer to pieces and types of classical music.
Average, 10 Qns, chalcedony, Mar 26 20
Average
chalcedony
Mar 26 20
154 plays
46.
  Classical Nicknames    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I give you the names of the pieces and their composers, you supply the work's nickname.
Average, 10 Qns, fdgla, Oct 06 09
Average
fdgla
1405 plays
47.
  Music History for Classical Fanatics    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Here is a quiz about the history of music for all of you nutty music wizards out there! Questions will jump from the 20th century to as far back as the 18th century.
Average, 15 Qns, Bartok1, Apr 07 07
Average
Bartok1
778 plays
48.
  Who Wrote...?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you know much about classical music, you shouldn't have any problems with this quiz. I will give you a piece of classical music and a choice of several composers. This is my first quiz, so have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, pronkh, Aug 09 23
Average
pronkh
Aug 09 23
747 plays
49.
  Famous Pieces of Music    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I'll give you the name of a piece, and you tell me who wrote it.
Average, 10 Qns, billybob87, Jun 29 13
Average
billybob87
2735 plays
50.
  Popular Classics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It need not be "pop music" to be popular. Some classic works and especially fragments of classic works had conquered the world long before there were any charts. Check your knowledge.
Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Oct 05 18
Average
flem-ish
Oct 05 18
1402 plays
51.
  Know Your Classical Music Forms    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Calling classical music connoisseurs and choristers. Identify each form of classical music by definition.
Average, 10 Qns, chalcedony, May 06 20
Average
chalcedony
May 06 20
190 plays
52.
  Small Talk About Historical Classics    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Sometimes classic musical compositions or their makers get surrounded by anecdotes or have a history of their own outside music. Such 'trifles' and 'small talk' is what this quiz deals with.
Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Sep 29 03
Average
flem-ish
742 plays
53.
  10 MORE Favorite Concert Band Works    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Just like my previous quiz, there is no certain order or ranking; just 10 more band works that get a lot of play. Hope you enjoy.
Average, 10 Qns, marchlover, Mar 20 10
Average
marchlover
227 plays
54.
  Which Musical Period?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Identify the period (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Modern) each of the following musical forms or composers became popular in.
Average, 10 Qns, dragon_lover42, Aug 22 05
Average
dragon_lover42
647 plays
55.
  All About Musical Pieces    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hey, this is my first quiz and it contains questions about musical pieces ranging from pianos to orchestras.
Average, 10 Qns, torpolizer, Nov 26 18
Average
torpolizer
Nov 26 18
447 plays
56.
  A Night on Classical Mountain    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Sit back, relax and try your classical music knowledge with this fun quiz.
Average, 10 Qns, Will2510, Oct 14 18
Average
Will2510
Oct 14 18
215 plays
57.
  Classical Music    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Classical Music Era is one of the most interesting eras music has to offer.
Average, 10 Qns, Scifer, Jan 31 12
Average
Scifer
438 plays
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Classical Music Trivia Questions

1. "The birdies' catcher, that am I // Ever jolly, hopsasa." Which character sings this aria in Mozart's opera?

From Quiz
Verirrt in der Uebersetzung

Answer: Papageno

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) composed music for 23 theatrical works, including two that were a collaboration with other composers: "Die Schuldigkeit des Ersten Gebots" (1767, a sacred Singspiel with music by Mozart, Michael Haydn and Anton Adigasser) and "Der Stein der Weisen" (1790, a pasticcio with music by Mozart, Johann Henneberg, Franz Xaver Gerl, Benedikt Schack and Emmanuel Schikaneder). Six of the theatrical works composed by Mozart alone had a libretto in German, one was with a Latin text, and the others were in Italian. The lines I translated were the opening verses of "Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja", an aria from Mozart's last Singspiel, "Die Zauberflöte" ("The Magic Flute", 1791). In this merry melody Papageno introduces himself as a bird catcher, and wishes he had a net to catch girlies (instead of birdies). He would then choose the sweetest and marry her, and let her sleep at his side. In another ditty in the same Singspiel he sings his name: "Papa - papa - papa - Papageno". Experts on Mozart operas will probably recognise the name of Belmonte as the protagonist in "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" ("The Abduction from the Seraglio", 1782). Belmonte is a Spanish nobleman visiting the palace of a Turkish noble, where he discovers that his fiancée Konstanze was sold to the pasha to serve in his harem. Monsieur Vogelsang is a supporting character in the 1786 Singspiel "Der Impresario". The title character is Frank, and Vogelsang is one of the singers in Frank's opera company. Sethos is the only named character (a high priest) in the rarely performed theatre play "Thamos, König in Ägypten" ("Thamos, King of Egypt", first performed in 1774).

2. This moving sacred vocal form is characterized as polyphonic and usually a capella.

From Quiz Know Your Classical Music Forms

Answer: motet

This form became common in the Early Music period and Renaissance. It is often sung by The Cambridge Singers, The Tallis Scholars, and The 16. An example of a motet would be "O Magnum Mysterium" (O Divine Mystery) which is a common Latin textual piece such as that by Victoria or Handl.

3. Symphony Number 9 in E minor is popularly known as the 'New World Symphony'. Who composed it?

From Quiz Light Classics

Answer: Antonin Dvorak

Dvorak wrote the Symphony Number 9 in 1893 while he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America. It is by far the most popular of all his symphonies and astronaut Neil Armstrong took a recording of it with him on the Apollo mission to the moon. Dvorak was very influenced by both native American and African American music. The work was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and was first played at the Carnegie Hall on December 16, 1893 and was conducted by Anton Seidl.

4. What nationality is the composer Modest Mussorgsky, composer of "Night of the Bare Mountain"?

From Quiz A Night on Classical Mountain

Answer: Russian

Mussorgsky originally composed the piece, although another Russian, Rimsky-Korsakov, achieved more lasting success with it.

5. The example of musical talent used by genetic scientists is a family comprising (among others) Johann Christian and Carl Philip Emmanuel. What is the family name?

From Quiz All in the Family

Answer: Bach

I have left out the name of the master composer of this family, Johann Sebastian. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is one of the most important baroque composers. He is remembered for his "St. Matthew Passion", over three hundred cantatas, and so on. Johann Sebastian considered his organ music "Das Wohltemperierte Klavier" as his masterpiece, and I'm convinced many of you would recognise the Toccata and Fugue in A Major from this collection. Johann Sebastian married twice. His two sons from the first marriage (Wilhelm Friedemann, 1710-1784, and Carl Philip Emmanuel, 1714-1788) were talented composers. WF Bach created over 100 works for organ, clavichord and harpsichord. CPE Bach has left us over 60 keyboard sonatas and at least four symphonies, while his most original contribution to classical music may well be the "Thirty Tunes for Musical Clock". Johann Sebastian's second marriage was blessed with three sons and three daughters. Johann Christoph Friedrich (1732-1795) was a prolific composer, as was Johann Christian (1735-1782). While most of the Bach family composed keyboard works, cantatas, sacred music and chamber music, Johann Christian also left us a number of operas (including "Temistocle" and "Amadis de Gaule").

6. What sinister and spooky-sounding organ piece attributed to Bach is now firmly associated with the Halloween holiday and other tales of horror?

From Quiz Crank it Up a Notch

Answer: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

The Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is one of those pieces where "you'll know it when you hear it", as it's constantly used to introduce spooky subjects. Curiously, modern scholarship now questions whether it was indeed written by Bach. But no matter who the author was, it's one of the most famous (and loud) pieces in Western classical music.

7. Which French composer wrote a suite entitled "Divertissement", the last movement of which includes blasts on a police whistle?

From Quiz Bells and Whistles

Answer: Jacques Ibert

Ibert based his 1930 suite "Divertissement" on incidental music he wrote for the play "Un chapeau de paille d'Italie" ("An Italian straw hat") by Eugène Labiche. The whole piece is gloriously entertaining, culminating in a riotous chase sequence which includes the blowing of a police whistle.

8. Musical prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is, perhaps, one of the best-known composers in Western (art) music. During which musical historical period was he active?

From Quiz Temporal Rift

Answer: Classical

Mozart lived from 1756 until 1791, beginning his musical career at an extremely young age, already composing music at the age of five, and performing (on keyboard and violin) even earlier. With more than 600 composed works, he is considered to be one of the most prolific and influential composers of the Classical period, which lasted from 1750 until 1830. The Classical period was tied in with similar movements in the world of architecture, literature, and visual art. Classicism made a move away from the florid styles of the Baroque period and returned to the perceived ideals of Classical Greece (mostly). This orderly (comparatively) style was reflected in the music of the period through less layered polyphony (multiple lines of music), and more melody over a harmonic undertone that didn't interfere.

9. What is the name for Chopin's Op. posth. 66?

From Quiz Classical Music

Answer: Fantasie Improumptu in C-sharp minor

He regretted writing this piece, because it sounded too much like the third movement of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata".

10. Johann Sebastian Bach's "Hunting Cantata", BWV 208, contains an animal-related aria popularly known by what name?

From Quiz A Symphony of Animals

Answer: Sheep May Safely Graze

The "Hunting Cantata" was composed by Bach in 1713 to celebrate the birthday of Duke Christian of Sachsen-Weissenfels. In the original cantata, the aria "Schafe können sicher weiden" is sung by Pales, a Roman goddess of shepherds and sheep. The work has been arranged for many different instrumental combinations, including as a popular organ solo.

11. Marc Antoine Charpentier composed in 1684 an opera about a young man transformed into a deer. Who was this character from Greek myth, who ended up being torn apart by his own dogs?

From Quiz Animals in Classical Music

Answer: Actaeon

Believe it or not, but all these Greek characters appear in some operas. Let's start with the unfortunate Actaeon, for he is the character we were looking for. There is no unanimity on the reason for his fate. Some sources say Actaeon witnessed Artemis taking a bath, others state that he boasted to be a better hunter than Artemis (goddess of the hunt). Marc Antoine Charpentier (1634-1704) was a French opera composer. His best known work is the hymn "Te Deum", which is used as the opening tune to any Eurovision television broadcast. Orpheus' music calmed all animals. His fate inspired composers such as Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) and Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880). Offenbach's opera "The Cat Turned into a Woman" quite fits the theme of this quiz. Phaeton was the son of Apollo who once drove the sun chariot. Jean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) dedicated an opera to him. Aeneas was one of the Trojan survivors to the Trojan war. Henry Purcell (1659-1695) composed an opera about Aeneas' meeting the Carthaginian queen Dido.

12. Why is the Amati family so well-remembered in the music world?

From Quiz Mixed, Musical Bits

Answer: They were expert violin makers

This family lived and worked in Cremona, Italy, from the 16th to the 18th century. Nicola Amati taught Stradivari and Guarneri who also became famous violin makers.

13. A certain composer sent a series of love letters to an unknown woman, known only as the "Immortal Beloved". Who was this composer?

From Quiz Classical, Baroque, and Romantic Music

Answer: L. V. Beethoven

Beethoven wrote the letters in 1812, while he lived at the Teplitz resort. Three of them were found in his belongings after he died. Among other possible candidates for the addressee of the letters are Antonie Brentano, Thérèse von Brunswick, Anna-Marie Erdödy, or Countess Giulietta Guicciardi. It is only speculation, though, since the letters were not addressed, and may never have been sent.

14. Ron Nelson wrote his first major work for band in 1969 while on vacation in Rhode Island. What did he title this piece?

From Quiz 10 MORE Favorite Concert Band Works

Answer: Rocky Point Holiday

Rocky Point, Rhode Island was his favorite seaside resort (now closed). "Rocky Point Holiday" was written on a commission by Frank Bensicrutto and the University of Minnesota Concert Band for the group's upcoming concert tour of Russia. Nelson was born in 1929 and wrote the other pieces here as well, but of course, only Rocky Point is in Rhode Island.

15. This great composer never wrote an opera, but he came close in some of his works. Heinrich Schütz was a composer of which era?

From Quiz Not opera, but the next best thing...

Answer: Baroque

Among the best composers of vocal music, most of the compositions of Schütz (1585-1672) are works for the church. His music often explored the acoustical possibilities of church music, and the dramatic elements that those acoustics gave him freedom over. Among his best works is a German Requiem, which was one of the great inspirations for composers like Johannes Brahms centuries later.

16. Who wrote "The Planets"?

From Quiz Classical Musical Classics

Answer: Gustav Holst

Each selection of this suite represents British born Holst's impressions of a different planet in our solar system. Despite this quite successful effort he was primarily a music teacher living from 1874-1934.

17. Who wrote "The Erl King"?

From Quiz Who Wrote...?

Answer: Schubert

This ballad was written as a setting for a poem by Goethe. The story tells of a father riding home late at night with his son, who hears the Erl King (death) beckoning him to come to him. When the two make it home at the end, the father sees that it is too late. The Erl King won the race, and the boy is dead.

18. How many "Hungarian Dances" are there?

From Quiz All About Musical Pieces

Answer: 21

The "Hungarian Dances" were written by Johannes Brahms. They were written in both major and minor keys.

19. What musical composition is playing during the sunrise scene near the beginning of Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey"?

From Quiz Classical Music in Popular Culture

Answer: "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss

Kubrick had originally commissioned Alex North to write a soundtrack for "2001: A Space Odyssey" but later decided to use other already composed works by Ligeti, Richard Strauss, Johann Strauss, and Khachaturian.

20. Where was Aaron Copland from originally?

From Quiz Music History for Classical Fanatics

Answer: New York, NY

Aaron Copland was born around the turn of the century in New York City, in a poor Jewish neighborhood.

21. What period is Organum from?

From Quiz Which Musical Period?

Answer: Medieval

Leonin, the choir director of Notre Dame, was the leading composer of two part Organum. The Motet was developed from Organum.

22. The eighth of this Italian composer's twelve Concerti Grossi is popularly known as the "Christmas Concerto". He is blessed with the appropriately seasonal Christian name of "Arcangelo", but what is his surname?

From Quiz Have a very Classical Christmas!

Answer: Corelli

The nickname of this work by Corelli (1653-1713) refers to its last movement, which is marked "Pastorale" - a term derived from the Italian word "Pastori", referring to the shepherds who were the first to greet the newly-born Christ.

23. The concerts were originally known as "Mr Robert Newman's Promenade Concerts", after the impresario whose inspiration they were. In what decade did the first Proms concert take place?

From Quiz Welcome to The Proms

Answer: 1890s

The first Proms concert took place on 10th August 1895 in the newly-built Queen's Hall in London, of which Robert Newman was the manager. While Newman had previously organised symphony orchestra concerts at the hall, his aim with the Proms was to reach a wider audience by offering a low-cost, informal season of concerts, with popular programmes.

24. Based on texts by Thomas Jefferson, which American composer wrote "Testament of Freedom?"

From Quiz Made in America? You Better Believe It!

Answer: Randall Thompson

"Testament of Freedom" is a rousing piece for mixed chorus and full orchestra.

25. Carrying the seemingly lifeless body of Bugs Bunny in his arms, Elmer Fudd laments, "I killed da wabbit, killed da wabbit..." This is a spoof on "Die Walküre," this German composer's opera from the incredibly long "Ring Cycle".

From Quiz The Invasion of Classical Music

Answer: Wagner

This famous piece of music is called "The Ride of the Valkyries", in which Brunnhilde chants her famous "Ho-jo-to-ho" warrior cry. The Valkyries are the German counterpart to the Amazon women. This opera took Richard Wagner two years to complete (1854-6)!

26. Symphony No. 3 by Beethoven

From Quiz Classical Nicknames

Answer: Eroica

The "Eroica" symphony was originally dedicated to Napoleon. However, after Napoleon declared himself emperor, Beethoven angrily changed the dedication "to the memory of a great man."

27. This composer wrote "Pictures at an Exhibition":

From Quiz Classical Music Volume 1

Answer: Modest Mussorgsky

Modest Mussorgsky was the Russian composer who composed this highly descriptive orchestral work.

28. Which composer's Eighth Symphony is known as the "Symphony of a Thousand"?

From Quiz Symphonies and their Nicknames

Answer: Gustav Mahler

Mahler's Eighth Symphony, first performed in 1910, so called because at its first performance over 1000 performers took part, including a huge orchestra, choir and soloists. Modern performances rarely achieve the same numerical strength, but the effect of a good performance is still overwhelming.

29. Who wrote 'Vltava' (the Moldau)?

From Quiz Symphonic Poems

Answer: Bedrich Smetana

Smetana wrote this symphonic poem as a depiction of the river the Moldau, from the source till the sea.

30. 'Toccata and Fugue in D Minor'

From Quiz Famous Pieces of Music

Answer: Bach

This is the creepy organ music you always hear in old horror movies.

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