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Quiz about Music History 101
Quiz about Music History 101

Music Quiz: Music History 101: 15 Questions | Other Music


A stroll through the evolution of Western music...complete with listening recommendations.

A multiple-choice quiz by belle_a_cello. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
89,026
Updated
Feb 23 22
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
10 / 15
Plays
2180
Last 3 plays: Guest 90 (0/15), Guest 146 (9/15), Guest 68 (15/15).
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Question 1 of 15
1. The early music of the medieval church existed in the form of Gregorian chants. These chants are monophonic and: Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. The unique sound of medieval music, sacred and secular, stems from the unusual scales used. These scales are called: Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. An example of Renaissance secular music, this type of music is designed for mixed chorus and is usually about love. Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. This style of sacred Renaissance choral music is set to a sacred Latin text. The text used is different than that found in the ordinary of the mass. Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. The concerto grosso form was used in much of the music written in the style of the Baroque period (1600 - 1750). The first and last movements of the concerto grosso are often in _____________ form. Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. This unique feature of Baroque music is typically played on the harpsichord and doubled on the 'cello. Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. Both opera and oratorio are products of Baroque creativity. Although both tell a story through music, the oratorio has no: Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. In the Classical period of music (1750 - 1825), much of the music was written in this form. It is used in the opening movement of classical symphonies, sonatas and string quartets and often in the fast concluding section as well. Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. Ludwig von Beethoven (1770-1827) bridges the Classical and Romantic periods of music. In his 9th Symphony, he makes musical history with his use of: Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. Romantic period composers (1820-1900) composed in highly individualistic styles. Unique genius and personality are often evidenced in music that deals with subjects of: Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. Bedrich Smetana's "The Moldau" is an example of Romantic: Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. Early 20th Century music includes the transition from the romantic style into the modern. Part of the transition includes this type of music that makes use of unusual scales and a feeling of vague tonality. Composers of this music often based their work on symbolist poetry. Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. One of the most popular styles of early 20th century music is jazz. Jazz is rooted in improvisation and is frequently presented in this form. Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. An evolutionary branch of opera and operetta, the "musical" is typically less vocally demanding and uses more spoken dialogue. Several modern composers of musicals lean more toward the operatic than the musical stage style in some of their work. These composers include: Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. The roots of 20th century rock music are most directly traced to these styles. Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The early music of the medieval church existed in the form of Gregorian chants. These chants are monophonic and:

Answer: unmetered

Pope Gregory I had the chants organized. Most were written by anonymous monks. Research shows that the unmetered style (no steady pulse) of the chants facilitates deep breathing and relaxation in the listener. Some of our oldest written music is considered "New Age" today because of its stress relieving qualities. Chants are sung "a cappella" (no instruments) and in unison (no harmony). Good example: Alleluia: vidimus stellam.
2. The unique sound of medieval music, sacred and secular, stems from the unusual scales used. These scales are called:

Answer: modes

The modes (sometimes called church modes) were the basis of melodies during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. They live today in western folk music such as "What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor" (Dorian mode) and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" (Aeolian mode). A mellisma occurs when many notes are sung on one syllable of text.
3. An example of Renaissance secular music, this type of music is designed for mixed chorus and is usually about love.

Answer: madrigal

Although birthed in Italy, the madrigal arrived in England around the time of the defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588). After the first volume of translated Italian madrigals was published, English composers began writing their own. The age of Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare is also the golden age of the English madrigal. Good example: "As Vesta Was Descending" by Thomas Weelkes.
4. This style of sacred Renaissance choral music is set to a sacred Latin text. The text used is different than that found in the ordinary of the mass.

Answer: motet

The polyphonic (several imitative voices heard at one time) motet is a beautiful and gentle art form that is not bound by the strictures of the mass. An example is "Ave Maria" by Josquin Desprez. The Renaissance mass is a longer work and glorious in its own right. The Kyrie is a part of the mass ordinary, and an estampie is a dance.
5. The concerto grosso form was used in much of the music written in the style of the Baroque period (1600 - 1750). The first and last movements of the concerto grosso are often in _____________ form.

Answer: ritornello

Ritornello means refrain. In ritornello form there is a recurring passage similar to a refrain that creates a sense of familiarity in the listener. Two very nice examples: J. S. Bach's "Brandenberg Concerti" and Antonio Vivaldi's "Four Seasons". The concertino and the tutti are two groups that "converse" within the ritornello.

A canon (not cannon the gun) is a cousin to the imitative "round".
6. This unique feature of Baroque music is typically played on the harpsichord and doubled on the 'cello.

Answer: basso continuo

The basso continuo, or continuing bass, is the "Energizer bunny" of Baroque music. It just keeps going. The bass melody found in the basso continuo is as important as the treble melody. Good examples are found in the music of Handel, Bach, Vivaldi and Pachelbel. Terraced dynamics refers to the Baroque practice of alternating sections (solo vs. tutti) to achieve dynamic variation. Crescendos and decrescendos did not become popular until the classical period.
7. Both opera and oratorio are products of Baroque creativity. Although both tell a story through music, the oratorio has no:

Answer: costumes, scenery, or acting

Opera and oratorio are large scale compositions for chorus, soloists and orchestra. Opera is sometimes described as the perfect art form because it includes music, visual art, dance and drama. Opera subjects may be sacred or secular. The oratorio is typically a biblical story, although not intended for religious services. Handel's "Messiah" is a very famous oratorio.
8. In the Classical period of music (1750 - 1825), much of the music was written in this form. It is used in the opening movement of classical symphonies, sonatas and string quartets and often in the fast concluding section as well.

Answer: sonata-allegro form

The sonata-allegro form (not to be confused with the single-work sonata) is comprised of three main sections: the exposition, the development, and the recapitulation. Researchers say that studying this intellectual organization of music develops the capacity of the listener's brain. (Music makes you smarter!) Good examples of sonata-allegro form: the first movements of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.
9. Ludwig von Beethoven (1770-1827) bridges the Classical and Romantic periods of music. In his 9th Symphony, he makes musical history with his use of:

Answer: chorus and soloists

Upon reading Schiller's "Ode to Joy", Beethoven intended to one day set it to music. It would be many years before he immortalized the poetry in the final movement of his 9th Symphony. Also called the Choral Symphony, this was Beethoven's last complete symphony. "Ode to Joy" is sung in churches around the world with many different texts.

The popular melody is also featured in many ads and movies.
10. Romantic period composers (1820-1900) composed in highly individualistic styles. Unique genius and personality are often evidenced in music that deals with subjects of:

Answer: the supernatural and diabolical

Romantic composers, as well as visual artists and writers, were fascinated with the tales of the supernatural and the horrible. This is the age of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". Hector Berlioz composed "Symphonie Fantastique" while under the influence of opium as an experiment in the truly bizarre.

Another musical example: "Die Erlkonig" by Franz Schubert.
11. Bedrich Smetana's "The Moldau" is an example of Romantic:

Answer: program music

"The Moldau" is a tone poem that paints a descriptive picture of the sights and sounds encountered on a trip down the Moldau River. This creating of a picture or telling of a story with instrumental music is called program music. Music that exists solely for music's sake (no story or picture) is called absolute music. If you have not listened to "The Moldau" recently, treat yourself to a beautiful journey down a Bohemian river.
12. Early 20th Century music includes the transition from the romantic style into the modern. Part of the transition includes this type of music that makes use of unusual scales and a feeling of vague tonality. Composers of this music often based their work on symbolist poetry.

Answer: Impressionism

Claude Debussy is considered one of the foremost impressionist composers. He used pentatonic scales (found on the black piano keys)and whole-tone scales to achieve a lack of tonal center. "One must drown the sense of tonality," he observed. The stress on atmosphere and fluidity is characteristic of symbolist poets such as Verlaine and impressionist artists such as Monet. Recommended: "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" by Debussy.
13. One of the most popular styles of early 20th century music is jazz. Jazz is rooted in improvisation and is frequently presented in this form.

Answer: theme and variation

Theme and variation form allows room for soloists to improvise in the variation sections. According to Aaron Copland, knowing the overall structure for a piece of music helps the listener to experience the music sensorially (let the music wash over you), emotionally (identify the emotion associated with the music), as well as intellectually (the nuts and bolts, so to speak). Remember, music makes you smarter!
14. An evolutionary branch of opera and operetta, the "musical" is typically less vocally demanding and uses more spoken dialogue. Several modern composers of musicals lean more toward the operatic than the musical stage style in some of their work. These composers include:

Answer: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim

Although considered "musicals", Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera" is operatic in style and Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" is performed by opera companies. Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote such musical stage classics as "South Pacific" and "The Sound of Music". Lerner and Loewe wrote "Camelot", Willson wrote "The Music Man", and Bernstein wrote "West Side Story", all block-buster musicals.
15. The roots of 20th century rock music are most directly traced to these styles.

Answer: rhythm and blues and country western

Early rock influences include rhythm and blues artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and the Platters. Country western influence can be heard in the rock music of performers such as Elvis Presley. Later influences can be traced through Motown artists, the Beatles, disco, heavy metal...but that is another quiz.
Source: Author belle_a_cello

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bullymom before going online.
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