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Early Music Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz dedicated to music before 1700. Primarily Medieval and Renaissance. Have fun!

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

Author
Aurania

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
182,865

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
491

Last 3 plays: Guest 192 (5/10), Guest 65 (5/10), Guest 98 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Sacred music was only sung in the church in the medieval era of western Europe.

True

False

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Question 2 of 10

2. "Sumer Is a Cumen In" is a medieval round. Where did it come from? Hint

France

Italy

England

Spain

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of these instruments did not exist in the 14th century? Hint

Harp

Lute

Harpsichord

Recorder

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Question 4 of 10

4. This 17th century English composer published 3 books of catches for the general population between 1609-1611; Pammelia, Deuteromalia and Melismata. Hint

John Dowland

Thomas Ravenscroft

Thomas Morley

John Bennet

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Question 5 of 10

5. This was a mentor of Josquin des Prez and a major influence on sacred music in the 15th century. Des Prez even wrote a motet in this composers honour. Hint

Guillaume Dufay

Pierre Certon

Jean Mouton

Jean Ockeghem

6. These late 13th century/early 14th century singers and poets sang mainly about courtly love and chivalry. They were from mainly around Provence and sang in an early French dialect known as Occitan. Hint

Minstrels

Trouveres

Les Moulins

Troubadors

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Question 7 of 10

7. A Gregorian Chant is a type of: Hint

Motet

Chanson

Plainsong

Lieder

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Question 8 of 10

8. "Kikehihi" was a German Renaissance song (Lieder) about what? Hint

A dance

Roasting mutton

Drinking wine

A rooster screaming

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Question 9 of 10

9. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina wrote this many church pieces in his lifetime: Hint

Over 50

Over 200

Over 500

Over 100

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Question 10 of 10

10. A tabor is a: Hint

Flute

Drum

Horn

Bell

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 14 2024 : Guest 192: 5/10
Dec 02 2024 : Guest 65: 5/10
Nov 01 2024 : Guest 98: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Sacred music was only sung in the church in the medieval era of western Europe.

Answer: False

Because church and state were not separated at that time, the church was a huge part of the commoners everday lives. One of the most popular songs of the 14th century was called "Angelus ad Virginem" which was a song about the birth of Christ. People even sang it in pubs!

2. "Sumer Is a Cumen In" is a medieval round. Where did it come from?

Answer: England

"Sumer is a Cumen In" is a middle English round meaning "Summer is a coming in".

3. Which of these instruments did not exist in the 14th century?

Answer: Harpsichord

The earliest known representation of what we know as the harpsichord today is an altar carving in Germany Circa 1425. It's predecessor was the Psaltery; a string instrument played on the lap with a pick or strummed.

4. This 17th century English composer published 3 books of catches for the general population between 1609-1611; Pammelia, Deuteromalia and Melismata.

Answer: Thomas Ravenscroft

Catches were short easy songs that were very popular in Elizabethan England. Among the songs included in these books were "There Were Three Ravens", "We Be Three Poor Mariners" and "We Be Soldiers Three".

5. This was a mentor of Josquin des Prez and a major influence on sacred music in the 15th century. Des Prez even wrote a motet in this composers honour.

Answer: Jean Ockeghem

Ockeghem was thought to be of Belgian origin and became court musician of King Charles VII of France in 1492 and was also the treasurer of the abbey St. Martin at Tours in 1459. He composed 14 masses throughout his lifetime, as well as many motets and songs. He died in 1495.

Answer: Troubadors

The troubadors were eventually wiped out because of the Albigensian Crusade.. a campaign charged by Pope Innocent III to eliminate heresy and blasphemy. There were some survivors who made thier way to Northen France ,Spain or Northern Italy. In the end they contributed greatly to the secular music of those areas.

7. A Gregorian Chant is a type of:

Answer: Plainsong

Plainsongs were monophonic(no harmonies) sacred songs sung at masses. These particular Plainsongs were named after Pope Gregory himself (C.6th century) because he gathered different forms of Plainsong, adapted them and documented them. Eventually, his Antiphony made it to many different parts of the Christian world.

8. "Kikehihi" was a German Renaissance song (Lieder) about what?

Answer: A rooster screaming

This song is mainly about roosters and hens screaming at dawn at the morning star. Lots of German songs were about farm animals...

9. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina wrote this many church pieces in his lifetime:

Answer: Over 100

Palestrina was a very prominent 16th century sacred composer, although he also wrote some madrigals (secular songs) in his lifetime.

10. A tabor is a:

Answer: Drum

Tabors were smaller versions of war drums in England and France which they used very commonly for dances and songs.

Source: Author Aurania

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