Easy I've Got An Ear For These Things Trivia Quiz | Music

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Possibly one of the most famous composers of all time was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This child prodigy was creating substantial pieces of music by the tender age of five. By the time of his early death he had composed more than six hundred pieces including which of the following, literally meaning 'a little night music'?

Answer: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

The literal translation of 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' from German to English is 'a little night music' but it can also be translated as 'a small serenade'. The latter seems somewhat more appropriate as the composition was indeed a serenade. It was clear to Wolfgang's father, Leopold, that his son had tremendous talent and he nurtured it.

In modern society, it could be suggested that Mozart is the most well known composer of all time.

2. One of the all time great composers wrote his music during the cultural transition from the Classical to the Romantic era. This composer most certainly had an ear for music but sadly lost his hearing during his career. Who was this incredible man who carried on composing fantastic pieces of music even after losing his hearing?

Answer: Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer who was born in 1770. During his lifetime he saw the change from the Classical style to the Romantic style and was in fact one of the people who was instrumental (excuse the pun) in bringing about the change.

He is known for his symphonies including 'Eroica', 'Pastoral Symphony' and 'Choral Symphony'. Beethoven only wrote one opera and that was titled 'Fidelio'.

3. Oh 'hallelujah' the choir cried as they chanted the chorus of a certain song to the 'Messiah'. After the performance the 'Messiah', a German Baroque composer no less, oddly asked if he could have a drink of 'water' before he goes to watch the spectacular 'fireworks'. Who is this 'Messiah'?

Answer: Handel

George Frideric Handel is perhaps best known for the 'Messiah', an oratorio that includes the hugely popular 'Hallelujah Chorus'. German-born Handel was also responsible for the composition of 'Water Music' and for 'Music for the Royal Fireworks'. Despite being born in Halle, Germany, Handel lived in England for the greatest part of his life.

4. The Romantic period of music brought us some great compositions that still 'wow' audiences now as they did back in the 19th century. One piece of music is useful to parents from around the world as they try to get their small children to sleep. Who composed such a ubiquitous lullaby?

Answer: Brahms

'Brahms' Lullaby' is often played, and maybe even sang, to youngsters to help them on their way to the 'Land of Nod'. The composition is accompanied by a set of wonderfully delicate lyrics that are soothing in both English and the original German. The first line of the lullaby is:

"Guten Abend, gute Nacht, mit Rosen bedacht,"
"Good evening, and good night, with roses adorned,"

5. An orchestral music fan was walking down the street when he bumped into an 'Enigma', a British composer would you believe! The 'Enigma' didn't apologise and 'marched' on with an air of 'Pomp and Circumstance'. Who is this so called 'Enigma'?

Answer: Elgar

Ah yes, the 'Enigma' is Edward Elgar! Elgar was an incredibly gifted composer and his 'Enigma Variations', which include the variation 'Nimrod', are listened to and celebrated around the world. Another of Elgar's compositions is played at graduations in both the UK and USA.

The full title of the piece is the 'Pomp and Circumstance Military Marches' but it is often known as just 'Pomp and Circumstance'. On those exciting graduation days the composition is commonly named 'The Graduation March'.

6. By delving into the archives of the history of music, many German Baroque composers can be found. This composer is really only remembered for just the one of his works. Who composed the 'Canon in D' which is frequently heard at weddings?

Answer: Pachelbel

In fact, the strength of the link between Johann Pachelbel and his 'Canon in D' is such that the composition is often simply known as 'Pachelbel's Canon'. Credited by some as the most famous Baroque composition and by others as the best ever Baroque composition, the 'Canon in D' certainly makes an impression.

It is the first choice of song for those soon to be married and is played as the bride is walking either down the aisle to meet her groom or on the way back after the special kiss.

7. The 'Gymnop�dies' were the most famous compositions written by a particular Romantic pianist. What is the name of this composer who came from a country that has the same official language as that used for the title of the composition?

Answer: Satie

The 'Gymnop�dies' come from the French language and the composer of them, Erik Satie, came from Honfleur, France. The first of the 'Gymnop�dies' rank up there with my personal favourite compositions. The piece has a striking honesty about it, a work that can effortlessly draw you into periods of reflection.

8. Just as Germany is known for its plethora of Baroque composers, so too is France renowned for its abundance of Romantic pianists. Which of the following composers is known for creating the opera, 'Carmen'?

Answer: Bizet

Georges Bizet was born in the 9th arrondissement (administrative district) of Paris in 1838. During his short life he was responsible for creating, 'Carmen' one of the world's most famous operas. Even if one isn't interested in opera, such as myself, one would still know of 'Carmen'. Bizet died at the young age of 37 and tragically did not live to see how 'Carmen' would be received. Bizet was buried in a tomb at P�re Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

9. Sergei Prokofiev was born in what is now the Ukraine in April 1891. The child prodigy Prokofiev, just like Mozart, started showing incredible musical talent at the age of just five. Which of the following ballets, adapted from one of Shakespeare's plays, did Prokofiev compose music for?

Answer: Romeo and Juliet

The music composed by Prokofiev was actually used in a ballet production of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. Within this composition is the incredibly exciting 'Dance of the Knights' and it was certainly powerful enough, like a lot of Prokofiev's other pieces, to create an atmosphere in Act I of the 'Romeo and Juliet' ballet.

10. One of the best early 20th century British composers was Ralph Vaughan Williams. As well as composing the mystical 'Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis', Vaughan Williams penned a song that has remained popular for decades. Which of the following birds completes the title of the composition, 'The ____ Ascending'?

Answer: Lark

Along with Erik Satie's 'Gymnop�die No.1', the works 'The Lark Ascending' and 'Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis' by Ralph Vaughan Williams have brought me more musical pleasure than any other work. 'Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis' is a quite incredible exploration of the mind of the listener, taking you on a journey to unknown lands afar.

In contrast 'The Lark Ascending' takes the listener through a sensual voyage around the beautiful English countryside. 'The Lark Ascending' was voted as the number one composition ever by listeners of the British radio station, Classic FM.

The station held an annual poll and in 2007, 2008 and 2009, 'The Lark Ascending' came out on top of the chart of three hundred Classical, Baroque, Romantic and Modern pieces.

Source: Author jonnowales

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

I've Got An Ear For These Things Quiz

This quiz is about ten composers who, through a good ear, have written pieces of music that really have stood the test of time. Enjoy!

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