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Quiz about A Symphony by Any Other Name Part 1 Don Gillis

A Symphony by Any Other Name - Part 1 - Don Gillis Quiz

The first in a series of quizzes about named symphonies, this one covers the symphonic works of Don Gillis. If you like the quiz, please rate it - if not, please tell me why.

A multiple-choice quiz by CariM0952. Estimated time: 3 mins.

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Author
CariM0952

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
317,189

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
156

Question 1 of 10

1. Don Gillis wrote a number of symphonies. Which one was known as "A Symphony for Free Men"? Hint

Second

Third

Fifth

Sixth

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Question 2 of 10

2. Don Gillis' most famous symphony was his "Symphony 5.5"... yes, that's not a typo, it's really "5.5". What nickname was appended to this work? Hint

The Eagle

The Little Five Symphony

A Symphony for Fun

The Undecided

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Question 3 of 10

3. Don Gillis' symphony "Saga of a Prairie School" was given which number? Hint

Sixth

Second

Fourth

Seventh

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Question 4 of 10

4. Don Gillis' Tenth symphony was given two names, "X" and which? Hint

The Wild West

The Land of Mesas

The Rodeo

The Big D

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Question 5 of 10

5. Don Gillis' symphony "Symphony of Faith" was given which number? Hint

Seventh

Third

Second

Fourth

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What is the name of Don Gillis' first symphony? Hint

On the Flight of the Spirit of St Louis

A Classical Symphony

An American Symphony

The Lone Star Symphony

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Question 7 of 10

7. Don Gillis' symphony "A Dance Symphony" was given which number? Hint

Second

Fourth

Eighth

Sixth

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Question 8 of 10

8. Where there's a 5.5, there has to have been a 5. What was the name of Gillis' Fifth symphony? Hint

The Rose

Lexington and Concord

In Memoriam

The Minutemen

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Question 9 of 10

9. Gillis didn't want a number attached to his Ninth symphony. What name was given to it? Hint

Pep Rally

Star Spangled

The Libretto

Gift of the Magi

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of Don Gillis' symphonies was named "The Pioneer"? Hint

Second

Sixth

Fourth

Eighth

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Don Gillis wrote a number of symphonies. Which one was known as "A Symphony for Free Men"?

Answer: Third

Don Gillis was born in Cameron, Missouri, on 17 June 1912. His family moved to Texas when he was 17.

The "Symphony for a Free Man" was written in 1940/41.

2. Don Gillis' most famous symphony was his "Symphony 5.5"... yes, that's not a typo, it's really "5.5". What nickname was appended to this work?

Answer: A Symphony for Fun

It became known as "A Symphony for Fun", and it was broadcast on 21 September 1947 on a NBC programme, with Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

Gillis was a radio production manager who by this time was working for NBC, and he produced the programme on which the symphony was performed.

3. Don Gillis' symphony "Saga of a Prairie School" was given which number?

Answer: Seventh

Gillis studied at Texas Christian University on a trombone scholarship. He'd already started composing while in high school.

4. Don Gillis' Tenth symphony was given two names, "X" and which?

Answer: The Big D

It was also called "The Big D'. Gillis stated that the "X" didn't stand for the Roman number ten, but didn't explain the "D". It is believed it symbolised Dallas.

5. Don Gillis' symphony "Symphony of Faith" was given which number?

Answer: Second

The Second Symphony is the "Symphony of Faith". It was written in 1940, during which time Gillis was working on his Masters degree at North Texas State University.

6. What is the name of Don Gillis' first symphony?

Answer: An American Symphony

Gillis's first symphony was the "American Symphony", written in 1939/40. For him, it was a fairly tame name - other of his works included "The Woolyworm", "Thoughts Provoked on Becoming a Prospective Papa" and "The Raven" (after Poe's work).

7. Don Gillis' symphony "A Dance Symphony" was given which number?

Answer: Eighth

The Dance Symphony was his Eighth. It was written in 1950. By this point he was chief writer and producer for the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

8. Where there's a 5.5, there has to have been a 5. What was the name of Gillis' Fifth symphony?

Answer: In Memoriam

After Toscanini retired in 1954 Gillis, serving as president of the Symphony Foundation of America, was instrumental in helping to form the Symphony of the Air, using members of the old NBC Symphony.

9. Gillis didn't want a number attached to his Ninth symphony. What name was given to it?

Answer: Star Spangled

Gillis didn't want anyone thinking he was competing with Beethoven with his Ninth symphony. Written sometime after 1950, this work was known as the "Star Spangled Symphony".

Pep Rally was a 1956 "opera for band", while both The Libretto and the Gift of the Magi were operas.

10. Which of Don Gillis' symphonies was named "The Pioneer"?

Answer: Sixth

Gillis' Sixth symphony was known as "The Pioneer Symphony". It was written in 1947.

Source: Author CariM0952

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