FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

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
856

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 146 (6/10), Guest 204 (10/10), Guest 51 (7/10).

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

NEXT>

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

Aaron Copland

Gustav Holst

Carl Orff

Sergei Rachmaninoff

NEXT>

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

Carl Orff

Gustav Holst

Aaron Copland

Felix Mendelssohn

NEXT>

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

Maurice Ravel

Carl Orff

Modest Mussorgsky

Antonio Vivaldi

NEXT>

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

Modest Mussorgsky

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Carl Orff

NEXT>

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

Wolfgang Mozart

Antonio Vivaldi

Fredric Chopin

Felix Mendelssohn

NEXT>

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

Modest Mussorgsky

Franz Liszt

Fredric Chopin

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

NEXT>

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

NEXT>

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

Maurice Ravel

Ludwig Beethoven

Wolfgang Mozart

Felix Mendelssohn

NEXT>

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

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Most Recent Scores

Dec 17 2024 : Guest 146: 6/10
Dec 17 2024 : Guest 204: 10/10
Dec 12 2024 : Guest 51: 7/10
Dec 08 2024 : xxFruitcakexx: 6/10
Oct 25 2024 : Guest 107: 9/10

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.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.