Through the Past, Darkly Trivia Quiz

"Eine kleine Nachtmusik" (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major), composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1787, is a perfect example of classical chamber music. Its title, which translates as "A Little Night Music", suggests an intimate and charming character, befitting the small ensemble for which it was written: two violins, viola, cello and double bass.

The piece is in four movements: Allegro, Romanze, Menuetto and Rondo, each showing Mozart's characteristic compositional style. The lively Allegro movement opens the piece with a spirited melody, followed by the graceful and lyrical Romanze. The Menuetto provides a charming contrast with its playful, dance-like rhythm, while the Rondo concludes the work with a spirited and exuberant finale.

"Eine kleine Nachtmusik" was probably intended for social gatherings or private performances, reflecting the refined tastes of Mozart's aristocratic patrons.

"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf near Salzburg, Austria. Recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011, it is the most recorded Christmas carol in the world.

The song's origins date back to Christmas Eve 1818, when it was first performed in the Nikolauskirche in Oberndorf. Joseph Mohr wrote the lyrics, inspired by his experiences in Mariapfarr, while Franz Xaver Gruber composed the melody. Despite its initial anonymity, the song gained widespread popularity, reaching audiences across Europe and eventually making its way to the United States in 1839. Despite speculation about the composer's identity, a manuscript discovered in 1995 confirmed Mohr as the lyricist and Gruber as the composer.

Frédéric Chopin composed his Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2 in 1831/32 during his time in Paris. The nocturne genre, known for its expressive and intimate character, was popular during the Romantic period and Chopin's contributions to it were significant. He wrote this piece specifically for solo piano, intending it to be played in the intimate setting of a salon or at home, rather than in a concert hall.

It was probably first performed at private gatherings of Chopin's friends and fellow musicians. Its reception was generally positive, demonstrating Chopin's unique style and gift for lyrical melody. However, there is no recorded reaction to its premiere, as it was not initially published or widely performed.

Over time, the Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2 became increasingly popular with pianists and audiences alike. Today it remains one of Chopin's most enduring compositions, frequently performed in concert halls and recorded by pianists around the world.

"Nights in the Gardens of Spain" ("Noches en los jardines de España") is a composition for piano and orchestra by the Spanish composer Manuel de Falla. It was completed in 1916 and premiered in Madrid in April 1916, with Falla as soloist and Enrique Fernández Arbós conducting.

The piece is often described as a nocturne or an evocation of the gardens of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. It is in three movements: "In the Generalife", "Dance of the Almeh" and "In the Gardens of the Sierra de Córdoba". Falla's use of Spanish folk melodies and Moorish influences characterise the work, which is considered one of his most important compositions.

"You and the Night and the Music" is a popular jazz standard composed by Arthur Schwartz with lyrics by Howard Dietz. It was written in 1934 for the musical "Revenge With Music", but the show was unsuccessful and the song was subsequently discarded. However, it gained popularity when it was featured in the 1952 film "Bandwagon".

The song has been recorded by many artists and is considered a classic of the American songbook. The lyrics evoke a romantic and dreamy atmosphere, reflecting the allure of the night and the music as a backdrop for love and romance. The melody is characterised by its smooth and flowing phrasing, typical of the Great American Songbook era.

"Let's Spend the Night Together" is a classic rock song by The Rolling Stones, released in 1967 as a single from their album "Between the Buttons". The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Despite its suggestive lyrics, it reached number three in the UK singles chart.

The song faced censorship problems, notably on "The Ed Sullivan Show", where Jagger reluctantly changed the lyrics to "Lets Spend Some Time Together". In China, the authorities banned the song from being performed during the band's debut concert in April 2006 due to its provocative nature. Despite the controversy, the song remains a notable hit in the Rolling Stones' repertoire.

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is a song written by Robbie Robertson and originally recorded by The Band. It was released in 1969 as part of their self-titled second album. The song tells the story of a Confederate soldier named Virgil Caine during the American Civil War, reflecting themes of loss, hardship and the end of an era.

The lyrics vividly portray the struggles of the Southern states during the conflict. Despite controversy over its portrayal of the Civil War, the song was widely acclaimed for its storytelling and emotional depth. It became one of The Band's most famous and enduring tracks, and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.

"Night Fever" is a disco anthem by the Bee Gees, released in 1977 as part of the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack. The song's beat and catchy melody became emblematic of the disco era. Written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, it topped the charts in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. "Night Fever" is known for its groove and the falsetto vocals characteristic of the Bee Gees' style.

It became one of their signature songs and contributed to the immense success of the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, still one of the best-selling albums of all time.

"Because the Night" is a rock song written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. It was first released by the Patti Smith Group in 1978 on their album "Easter". It became one of Patti Smith's most popular songs and is often regarded as one of the greatest rock anthems. Springsteen originally wrote the song "Because the Night" for his own album "Darkness on the Edge of Town".

However, he ended up not using it and offered it to Smith, who reworked the lyrics and released it on her album "Easter". The song topped the charts in many countries.

"All Night Long" is a dance-pop track by Lionel Richie, released in 1983 as part of his album "Can't Slow Down". It incorporates elements of Caribbean music such as reggae and calypso rhythms, and features the prominent use of steel drums. "All Night Long" was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topping charts in several other countries.

It won Richie a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.