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Chamber Music & More Trivia Quiz

This quiz focuses on chamber music, a corner of classical music that is sadly underappreciated these days. Enjoy--and let me know what you think of it!

A multiple-choice quiz by littlekiddy. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
littlekiddy

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
90,707

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
592

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of Beethoven's string quartets contain the well-known Cavatina, the beautiful, almost hymn-like, slow movement? Hint

Op. 132 (in a minor)

Op. 130 (in Bb major)

Beethoven didn't write any such movement

Op. 95 (in f minor), aka "Serioso"

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Question 2 of 10

2. Beethoven's Op. 59 quartets are often known as the __________ Quartets, named after the count who asked Beethoven to write the three. Hint

Schuppanzigh

Haydn

Razumovsky

Scarlatti

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Triple Concerto by Beethoven is a concerto written for which three instruments and orchestral accompaniment? Hint

piano, flute, and violin

violin, violin, and violin

piano, cello, and violin

violin, viola, and cello

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Question 4 of 10

4. Mendelssohn's last complete string quartet, Op. 80, was influenced mostly by the death of Fanny, who was his...

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 5 of 10

5. "From My Life" is the title of which composer's (very autobiographical) string quartet? Hint

Bedrich Smetana

Franz Schubert

Alexander Borodin

Edvard Grieg

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Question 6 of 10

6. "The Dead Maid" might be another way of naming a (very famous) quartet by which Romantic composer?

Answer: (the actual title of the quartet is "Death and the...")

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which composer did not write a string quartet? Hint

Kreisler

Verdi

Bernstein

Faure

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which composer did not write a conventional piano quintet (for piano and strings)? Hint

Beethoven

Schumann

Schubert

Dvorak

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who transcribed Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" for the string orchestra?

Answer: (this guy never wrote a string quartet of his own)

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who composed the most string quartets? Hint

Dvorak

Schubert

Beethoven

Mendelssohn

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of Beethoven's string quartets contain the well-known Cavatina, the beautiful, almost hymn-like, slow movement?

Answer: Op. 130 (in Bb major)

The Cavatina, the fifth movement to the Op. 130 quartet, is known as one of the most personal pieces of music that Beethoven ever wrote; some say that Beethoven wept at its premier performance. I personally recommend the Emerson String Quartet's recording.

2. Beethoven's Op. 59 quartets are often known as the __________ Quartets, named after the count who asked Beethoven to write the three.

Answer: Razumovsky

The Razumovsky quartets are absolutely amazing--they form a big chunk of Beethoven's middle quartets. They are bigger and grander in concept and in length than the earlier, more classical Op. 18 quartets. Haydn and Scarlatti were two composers who composed in the Classical style. The Schuppanzigh Quartet was the quartet that premiered most of Beethoven's quartets.

3. The Triple Concerto by Beethoven is a concerto written for which three instruments and orchestral accompaniment?

Answer: piano, cello, and violin

The Triple Concerto is known as one of the weaker works of Beethoven; it's more lively and not quite as somber or "meaningful" as the more famous works of Beethoven often are.

4. Mendelssohn's last complete string quartet, Op. 80, was influenced mostly by the death of Fanny, who was his...

Answer: sister

The Op. 80 quartet is bleak and desperate, two qualities that Mendelssohn definitely was not known for. This quartet, sadly enough, is one of the lesser known and performed works of this maestro. Mendelssohn himself died soon after completing it.

5. "From My Life" is the title of which composer's (very autobiographical) string quartet?

Answer: Bedrich Smetana

Grieg wrote three string quartets, only one of which is complete and available. Borodin wrote two, although the second one is the only one that is part of the regular repertoire. "From My Life" is a beautiful piece! Try the Cleveland Quartet's recording of it.

6. "The Dead Maid" might be another way of naming a (very famous) quartet by which Romantic composer?

Answer: Schubert

Probably the most famous of Schubert's chamber works, this quartet is one of the most accurate reflections of Schubert himself and his emotions at the time; the quartet is all despair and sorrow.

7. Which composer did not write a string quartet?

Answer: Bernstein

Verdi, Faure, and Kreisler all wrote just one quartet each. Interestingly enough, Verdi's quartet was the only piece of music that he composed without vocal writing. Thanks to the incredible book "Indivisible by Four" (by Arnold Steinhardt of the Guarneri Quartet...try the book! absolutely wonderful) for this info.

8. Which composer did not write a conventional piano quintet (for piano and strings)?

Answer: Beethoven

Schumann's and Dvorak's piano quintets are among the most famous and greatest piano quintets--I recommend the Guarneri and Rubinstein recording of the Schumann and the Emerson and Pressler recording of the Dvorak. Beethoven wrote a quintet for piano and winds.

9. Who transcribed Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" for the string orchestra?

Answer: Mahler

10. Who composed the most string quartets?

Answer: Beethoven

IMHO Beethoven is the ultimate master, not only in string quartets and chamber music, but in everything else as well ^_^ Hope you enjoyed the quiz!

Source: Author littlekiddy

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