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Mahler Gustav Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Mahler Gustav Quizzes, Trivia

Gustav Mahler Trivia

Gustav Mahler Trivia Quizzes

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3 Gustav Mahler quizzes and 35 Gustav Mahler trivia questions.
1.
  Mahler Symphonies    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
The Austrian composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) wrote some of the most sublime symphonic music of all time during an age when the traditional symphony was quickly fading out of fashion. How much do you know about these monumental orchestral works?
Average, 15 Qns, frogthoven, Nov 16 21
Average
frogthoven
Nov 16 21
683 plays
2.
  Mahler    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Gustav Mahler's music was never very popular in his lifetime. Mahler predicted, however, that "my time will come." His time has come indeed.
Easier, 10 Qns, fdgla, Nov 16 21
Easier
fdgla
Nov 16 21
923 plays
3.
  The Works of Mahler   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A run-through of the works of one of the top composers of the early 20th century. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, op47b, Nov 16 21
Average
op47b
Nov 16 21
502 plays
Related Topics
  Classical Music [Music] (183 quizzes)

  Twentieth-Century Classical Music [Music] (12 quizzes)


Gustav Mahler Trivia Questions
1. Several of Mahler's symphonies have subtitles. Which of them did he name himself?

From Quiz The Works of Mahler

Answer: No. 1, "Titan," No. 2, "Resurrection," and No. 6, "Tragic."

The First Symphony is named "Titan" for a novel by Jean Paul. The Second derives its name from its supposed storyline. The Fifth was not named by Mahler but was given its name for its large symphonic scope (particularly when contrasted with the Fourth). The Seventh is named from its "Nachtmusik" sections, but not by Mahler, and the Eighth was named for the huge number of people needed to perform it, a name which Mahler himself despised.

2. Mahler was born in 1860 in what is now the Czech republic. He died in which year?

From Quiz Mahler

Answer: 1911

He died of a heart ailment.

3. Which Mahler symphony's first movement contains a fondly nostalgic theme meant to depict the composer's wife Alma?

From Quiz Mahler Symphonies

Answer: Sixth

Despite being dubbed the "Tragic Symphony," Mahler's "Sixth" is, in fact, a study in contrasts. The first movement evokes both Germanic militarism and the Bohemian countryside; the third movement is intensely personal and yet at times unrestrained; the fourth movement is simultaneously tragic and bizarre.

4. The popular "Fifth Symphony" opens with a stunning trumpet fanfare in C-Sharp minor. But this fanfare is explicitly foreshadowed in the first movement of a previous symphony. Which one is it?

From Quiz Mahler Symphonies

Answer: Fourth

The opening movement of the "Fourth Symphony" is one of Mahler's most jovial and lighthearted. The first movement of the "Fifth Symphony" lies on the opposite end of the spectrum; it's nothing short of accompaniment for a funeral procession.

5. Which symphony uses the smallest orchestra?

From Quiz The Works of Mahler

Answer: Fourth Symphony

The Fourth is Mahler's quietest work, leaving out the low brass section and much of the percussion that Mahler normally contains. The others are all large orchestras, including the low brass and often multiple percussionists, keyboards, or harps.

6. "Das Lied von der Erde" is based on texts which were originally written in which language?

From Quiz Mahler Symphonies

Answer: Chinese

Mahler found his inspiration for this work in a book of Chinese poems adapted by German poet Hans Bethge, called "Die chinesiche Flöte." "Das Lied" synthesizes Germanic and Chinese musical idioms in a decidedly effective, distinctly Mahlerian manner.

7. Mahler married a woman who was a pianist and composer in her own right. What is her first name?

From Quiz Mahler

Answer: Alma

After Mahler's death, Alma was married to the great architect Walter Gropius and later the writer Franz Werfel.

8. Mahler drew much of his inspiration from what literary work?

From Quiz The Works of Mahler

Answer: Des Knaben Wunderhorn

"Des Knaben Wunderhorn," or "The Boy's Magical Horn," was directly used in its own song as well as symphonies 2 through 4. "Titan" was used only for the First Symphony, while "Das Lied" was Mahler's own symphonic poem, not established literature. "Candide," by Voltaire, had no relation at all to Mahler.

9. Probably the most charming and atypical of Mahler's symphonies is this one. It features, in the last movement, a soprano who sings of the delights that await us in heaven.

From Quiz Mahler

Answer: Symphony #4

Mahler's Fourth is indeed different from any other symphony he wrote. Missing is the normal storm and stress which is very typical of Mahler.

10. Some speculate that the third movement of the "First Symphony" ("Titan") was strongly influenced by Mahler's Jewish heritage. What popular melody lies at the heart of this movement?

From Quiz Mahler Symphonies

Answer: Frere Jacques

Mahler transposes Frère Jacuqes into a minor key (D Minor) in this memorable movement. What begins as a morose contrabass solo at the beginning of the movement evolves into lively Klezmer-sounding dance later on.

11. According to legend, what did Mahler think about composing symphonies?

From Quiz The Works of Mahler

Answer: He would die after writing nine

The belief is known as the curse of Beethoven. Composers who have died after writing nine symphonies include Beethoven, Schubert, and Mahler, among others.

12. Mahler's "Das Lied von der Erde" is a combination symphony and song cycle. What is the original language from which the poems in this cycle were derived?

From Quiz Mahler

Answer: Chinese

This is a haunting, beautiful work. The last movement in particular is a poignant farewell to life.

13. Despite its pessimistic name, Mahler wrote this work during one of the happiest portions of his life.

From Quiz The Works of Mahler

Answer: Kindertotenlieder

"Kindertotenlieder" translates to "Songs on the Death of Children." After writing it, Mahler felt acutely responsible when his own daughter died.

14. Mahler considered his "Symphony of a Thousand" to be his finest work. What number is this symphony?

From Quiz Mahler

Answer: Symphony # 8

Mahler once said "the symphony must be like a world; it should contain everything." In his eighth symphony he took that advice literally. It requires an enormous orchestra, choir, and several soloists. While in my opinion it is far from his best work, it is, when performed well, quite thrilling.

15. Which symphony ends with a recollection of its first movement, suggesting an ascension to heaven?

From Quiz The Works of Mahler

Answer: Eighth Symphony, "Of a Thousand"

The first section is titled "Hymnus: Veni, Creator Spiritus" ("Hymn: I am coming, Creator"). The second movement, based on von Goethe's "Faust", ends with a restatement of this theme as Faust escapes from Mephistophanes and travels to heaven.

16. The enormous "Eighth Symphony," dubbed the "Symphony of a Thousand," makes use of a couple hundred instruments and vocalists. On which famous literary work did Mahler base the second part of this symphony?

From Quiz Mahler Symphonies

Answer: Goethe's "Faust"

Hungarian composer Franz Lizst also wrote "A Faust Symphony." The other three works, however, have also been set to music: Verdi made "Macbeth" into an opera, Stravinsky set "Oedipus the King," and Leonard Bernstein took care of "Candide."

17. Mahler was particularly renowned as a conductor of opera. Which opera company did he conduct in the last years of his life?

From Quiz Mahler

Answer: Metropolitan Opera, New York

From all accounts Mahler did wondrous work at the Met, but he was forced out through opera house politics. Mahler was quite ill in the last few years of his life, but he kept working, against doctor's orders.

18. In which symphony does Mahler write parts for both a cowbell and xylophone?

From Quiz Mahler Symphonies

Answer: Sixth

Got milk? Mahler makes use of a cowbell throughout the "Sixth Symphony" to evoke the pastoral imagery of the Alps. Mahler stopped short of using a cow itself; such a stunt would have assuredly distracted his listeners!

19. In homage to Mahler, let's end on a bang ourselves! What does the German word "aufstehen" mean, and how does it relate to the Mahler symphonies?

From Quiz Mahler Symphonies

Answer: It means "stand up" and is a literal instruction to the horns in the finale of the "First Symphony."

On the last page of the "First Symphony," Mahler instructs his entire horn section to stand up. Given how much the brass instruments sustain the finale of this symphony, this is perhaps well-deserved recognition!

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