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More Classical Composers Trivia Quiz

More of the familiar classical pieces from movies, TV and radio--but do you know the composer?

A multiple-choice quiz by Duchess716. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Duchess716

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
317,916

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
852

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 107 (9/10), Chavs (7/10), Guest 49 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "Fanfare for the Common Man" is often used in promotions for the Olympics. Who wrote it? Hint

Aaron Copland

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Maurice Ravel

Jules Massenet

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Question 2 of 10

2. This composer's "Piano Concerto No. 3" is known to be one of the most difficult piano pieces. It is featured in the 1996 film "Shine" about a young pianist who becomes mentally unstable. Who is the composer? Hint

Gustav Holst

Aaron Copland

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Carl Orff

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Question 3 of 10

3. Written in 1916, "The Planets Suite" has seven movements, each representing the known planets except Earth. Who is the English composer? Hint

Gustav Holst

Aaron Copland

Carl Orff

Felix Mendelssohn

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Question 4 of 10

4. Horror film fans are familiar with "O Fortuna" even if they do not know the name of this big chorale piece. It is a movement of "Carmina Burana" and composed by whom? Hint

Antonio Vivaldi

Maurice Ravel

Carl Orff

Modest Mussorgsky

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Pictures at an Exhibition" has ten movements with a common "Promenade". It was composed in 1874 by who? Hint

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Carl Orff

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Modest Mussorgsky

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Question 6 of 10

6. "The Four Seasons" is four concertos representing the seasons of the year. Composed in 1723, it is widely popular today. Who is the composer? Hint

Felix Mendelssohn

Wolfgang Mozart

Antonio Vivaldi

Fredric Chopin

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Question 7 of 10

7. "Flight of the Bumble-bee" was used as theme music for "The Green Hornet" radio and TV show. Who is the composer? Hint

Franz Liszt

Modest Mussorgsky

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Fredric Chopin

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Question 8 of 10

8. "Waltz in D-flat Major" is commonly known as the "Minute Waltz" a solo piece for piano. Who is the composer? Hint

Franz Liszt

Fredric Chopin

Ludwig Beethoven

Claude Debussy

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Question 9 of 10

9. The recessional for many Christian church weddings is "The Wedding March" composed for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Who composed it? Hint

Ludwig Beethoven

Maurice Ravel

Felix Mendelssohn

Wolfgang Mozart

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Question 10 of 10

10. "Bolero", written in 1928, is technically significant for the snare drum which holds the same rhythm throughout the piece. In 1979, it surged in popularity after the success of the film "10". Who is the composer? Hint

Maurice Ravel

Carl Orff

Claude Debussy

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 25 2024 : Guest 107: 9/10
Oct 10 2024 : Chavs: 7/10
Sep 24 2024 : Guest 49: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "Fanfare for the Common Man" is often used in promotions for the Olympics. Who wrote it?

Answer: Aaron Copland

The piece was commissioned by the Cincinnati (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra for the 1942-1943 season.

Answer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

The pianist in "Shine" is David Helfgott, played by Geoffrey Rush. "Piano Concerto No.3" was first performed by Rachmaninoff himself in New York City in 1909.

3. Written in 1916, "The Planets Suite" has seven movements, each representing the known planets except Earth. Who is the English composer?

Answer: Gustav Holst

"Mercury", "Mars" and "Jupiter" are most recognizable to many as they are often found in films and TV as theme music.

4. Horror film fans are familiar with "O Fortuna" even if they do not know the name of this big chorale piece. It is a movement of "Carmina Burana" and composed by whom?

Answer: Carl Orff

The chorale is based on medieval poetry of the same name. It was first performed in Frankfurt (Germany) in 1937. The crescendo of "O Fortuna" lends itself well to the build up of suspense and is frequently heard as background in films ("Johnny Dangerously"-1984, "The Omen"-1976).

5. "Pictures at an Exhibition" has ten movements with a common "Promenade". It was composed in 1874 by who?

Answer: Modest Mussorgsky

"Pictures" is a tribute to Mussorgsky's friend, artist Victor Hartmann. The ten piano pieces each describe a painting or watercolor. Although completed in 1874, it did not become popular until the early 20th century. The most popular version was orchestrated by Maurice Ravel.

6. "The Four Seasons" is four concertos representing the seasons of the year. Composed in 1723, it is widely popular today. Who is the composer?

Answer: Antonio Vivaldi

The 1981 film "The Four Seasons" starring Alan Alda and Carol Burnett use all the movements of each concerto. Different movements can be heard in advertisements and films.

7. "Flight of the Bumble-bee" was used as theme music for "The Green Hornet" radio and TV show. Who is the composer?

Answer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

The 1996 film "Shine" and 2003 film "Kill Bill" also feature this piece.

8. "Waltz in D-flat Major" is commonly known as the "Minute Waltz" a solo piece for piano. Who is the composer?

Answer: Fredric Chopin

The "Minute Waltz" actually takes about two minutes to play. Barbra Streisand, Victor Borge and others have attempted to sing/play it in one minute. It is frequently used as background or theme music.

9. The recessional for many Christian church weddings is "The Wedding March" composed for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Who composed it?

Answer: Felix Mendelssohn

Film portrayals of weddings, somber or silly, use the piece as the recessional music. It has been very popular with English speaking people since Victoria, Princess Royal, chose it for her wedding in 1858.

Answer: Maurice Ravel

The British ice dancing team of Torvill and Dean scored a perfect 10 with a routine set to "Bolero" in the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. They won the gold medal.

Source: Author Duchess716

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