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Quiz about Compositions of Franz Liszt The Renowned Pianist

Compositions of Franz Liszt: The Renowned Pianist Quiz

Liszt was the greatest pianist who ever lived. See what you know about his works.

A multiple-choice quiz by RoyalVishIII. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
RoyalVishIII

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
314,477

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
234

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The "Carnival of Pecs", Liszt's ninth Hungarian rhapsody, is in what key signature? Hint

B-flat Major

E-flat Major

C# minor

A major

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Question 2 of 10

2. Officially, what was Liszt's very first composition, based on the catalogue of Humphery Searle of the United Kingdom? Hint

Don Sanche ou Le Chateau l'amour

Symphonic Poem no. 1 Ce qu'on entend sur la montagne (Berg Symphony)

The Legend of St. Elizabeth

Eine-Faust Symphony

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Question 3 of 10

3. "Un Sospiro", (The Sigh) is a concert etude that primarily uses what piano technique, which makes it amazingly difficult? Hint

Hand crossing

Repeated scales

Trills

Harmonics

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Question 4 of 10

4. "Transcendental etude no. 1 in c major". It starts with chords. Those chords are in what key? Hint

C major

C minor

E- flat major

E major

5. Another question about the twelve transcendental etudes. The fifth is extremely technically demanding. In the original first version (1839), what was the greatest difficulty, and still is? Hint

Harmonics

Octave technique

Fifth finger trills

Long left hand intervals

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Question 6 of 10

6. A last question about the transcendental etudes. The fourth, in F major, (commonly known as "Mazeppa"), is based on a poem by someone else. Who is the author of this poem? Hint

Anton Chekov

Victor Hugo

Alexander Pushkin

Nikolai Gogol

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Question 7 of 10

7. Liszt's "Paganini Etudes" were based on Niccolo Paganini's works. The "Paganini Etude no. 3 in D-flat major" is based solely off what Paganini work? Hint

Violin Concerto movement three, Op. 7

Op. 1, no. 9 (Caprice)

Violin Concerto movement 1, Op. 6

Op. 1 no. 24 (Caprice)

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Question 8 of 10

8. In all, Liszt composed four "Mephisto" waltzes. Number 2, S. 515 has a very special nickname. What is this nickname? Hint

A Day at the Lake

Dance At the Inn

Night Procession

Funeral March

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Question 9 of 10

9. I couldn't write a Liszt quiz without mentioning the Hungarian rhapsodies. Which rhapsody is based on Gypsy themes that were inspirational to Liszt? Hint

No. 2 in C# minor

No. 15, in A minor

No. 6, in D-flat major

No. 10 in E major

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Question 10 of 10

10. Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 in C# minor" is dedicated to which of the following? Hint

Johann Sebastian Bach

Hans von Bolow

Count Ladislas Teleky

Frederic Francois Chopin

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The "Carnival of Pecs", Liszt's ninth Hungarian rhapsody, is in what key signature?

Answer: E-flat Major

"The Carnival of Pecs" was given the nickname because it sounded like many Hungarian carnivals at the time. Liszt published this in the year of 1853. It starts with E-flat major chords, and it is quite soft. There is a quick break, and the piece then is extremely fiery and difficult to play.

2. Officially, what was Liszt's very first composition, based on the catalogue of Humphery Searle of the United Kingdom?

Answer: Don Sanche ou Le Chateau l'amour

"Don Sanche ou Le Chateau l'armour" (Don Sanche, or the Castle of Love), was Liszt's first and only opera, not to mention his his first composition. It was composed from 1824-1825. It is a one act opera, and is about a knight, Don Sanche, in love with the princess of the court.

The king does not approve, and many problems face the two afterward. Liszt was fourteen when this opera was composed, making him an instant hit!

3. "Un Sospiro", (The Sigh) is a concert etude that primarily uses what piano technique, which makes it amazingly difficult?

Answer: Hand crossing

This is the third concert etude in Liszt's series. This etude is also known for its notorious hand-crossings, the right and left hands almost four to six octaves apart. If you do master this piece, however, it makes a great addition to a pianist's concert repertoire.

4. "Transcendental etude no. 1 in c major". It starts with chords. Those chords are in what key?

Answer: C major

The "Transcendental etude no.1" is quite short, less than a minute long in concert speed. However, its extreme difficulty makes up for its short length. The etude is actually called a prelude, as it starts the series of twelve etudes, S. 139.

5. Another question about the twelve transcendental etudes. The fifth is extremely technically demanding. In the original first version (1839), what was the greatest difficulty, and still is?

Answer: Long left hand intervals

The fifth transcendental etude, "Fuex Follets" (Will'o'the wisps), is an extremely demanding piece in the concert repertoire. It is mostly known for its long left hand intervals, sometimes spanning two octaves, along with a connectivity of grace notes, which require great speed and endurance to play. The key is in B-minor.

6. A last question about the transcendental etudes. The fourth, in F major, (commonly known as "Mazeppa"), is based on a poem by someone else. Who is the author of this poem?

Answer: Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo (author of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"), wrote the poem Mazeppa, which was the basis for this piece. It is also thought of as the most difficult transcendental etude, for its amazing speed and technique rank it among the best. The poem is about a young Ukrainian noble, Mazeppa, being tied to a horse and run around the countryside to Poland.

7. Liszt's "Paganini Etudes" were based on Niccolo Paganini's works. The "Paganini Etude no. 3 in D-flat major" is based solely off what Paganini work?

Answer: Violin Concerto movement three, Op. 7

Known as "La Campanella", (The Bell), this etude is based solely off Paganini's violin concerto no. 2, the third movement. It starts off with several D-flat major chords. Though it is very soft, it is extremely difficult, as all of Liszt's pieces are. Op. 1 no. 9, is the fifth Paganini Etude, known as "La Chasse" (The Hunt), and Op. 1, no. 24, is the sixth Paganini Etude.

8. In all, Liszt composed four "Mephisto" waltzes. Number 2, S. 515 has a very special nickname. What is this nickname?

Answer: Night Procession

"Mephisto waltz no. 2" ranks as obscure repertoire, as it is rarely seen in concert play. The key is in E-flat, and it was dedicated to Camille Saint Saens.

9. I couldn't write a Liszt quiz without mentioning the Hungarian rhapsodies. Which rhapsody is based on Gypsy themes that were inspirational to Liszt?

Answer: No. 6, in D-flat major

Liszt's sixth "Hungarian Rhapsody" was based off Gypsy themes that he constantly heard in Hungary. The sixth rhapsody is divided into three parts. First, the introduction, which is played in the presto tempo. Then, the piece transforms into an andante, and is very soft, which again is taken by a huge thundering of keys, mainly the black keys. It ends with a bang!

10. Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 in C# minor" is dedicated to which of the following?

Answer: Count Ladislas Teleky

The famous "Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2, in C# minor" is by far the most popular of the set. It starts with a set of notes that immediately bring in the listener's attention. It gradually makes use of the C# minor triad, and this is also based on the Gypsy scale.

Source: Author RoyalVishIII

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