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Quiz about Music History for Classical Fanatics

Music History for Classical Fanatics Quiz

Here is a quiz about the history of music for all of you nutty music wizards out there! Questions will jump from the 20th century to as far back as the 18th century.

A multiple-choice quiz by Bartok1. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Bartok1

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
220,734

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
11 / 15

Plays
778

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Where was Aaron Copland from originally? Hint

Madison, WI

Los Angeles, CA

Chicago, IL

New York, NY

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Question 2 of 15

2. Who were some students of Nadia Boulanger? Hint

Aaron Copland

Samuel Barber

Virgil Thompson

All of these

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Question 3 of 15

3. Who was one of Beethoven's primary composition teachers? Hint

Haydn

Gluck

Mozart

Berlioz

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Question 4 of 15

4. Tchaikovsky wrote many great symphonies including the "Pathetique".

True

False

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Question 5 of 15

5. How many symphonies did Haydn write? Hint

111

104

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Question 6 of 15

6. Mahler's great symphonies used some material from lieder written earlier in his life.

True

False

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Question 7 of 15

7. Who wrote "La Traviata"? Hint

Puccini

Mozart

Brahms

Verdi

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Question 8 of 15

8. How many operas did Beethoven write? Hint

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Question 9 of 15

9. George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" was originally intended for symphony orchestra and piano solo.

True

False

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Question 10 of 15

10. Who was the composer of such famous works as "Petroushka", "The Firebird", and "The Rake's Progress"? Hint

Glinka

Stravinsky

Tchaikovsky

Satie

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Question 11 of 15

11. Who is considered to be the father of Serialism, and perfected the 12-tone method of composition? Hint

Cage

Brahms

Schoenberg

Mahler

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Question 12 of 15

12. Who was one of the famous mentors of Leonard Bernstein? Hint

Benjamin Britten

Samuel Barber

Walter Piston

Aaron Copland

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Question 13 of 15

13. Who wrote the first piece for percussion ensemble? Hint

Reich

Berg

Var�se

Zappa

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Question 14 of 15

14. What was the name of the composer-wife of Robert Schumann? Hint

Sarah

Marie

Anne

Clara

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Question 15 of 15

15. Shostakovich wrote more than 10 string quartets.

True

False

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Oct 25 2024 : Guest 31: 14/15
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where was Aaron Copland from originally?

Answer: New York, NY

Aaron Copland was born around the turn of the century in New York City, in a poor Jewish neighborhood.

2. Who were some students of Nadia Boulanger?

Answer: All of these

Nadia Boulanger was one of the most influencial composition teachers in the 20th century. Her other students include Walter Piston and Roger Sessions.

3. Who was one of Beethoven's primary composition teachers?

Answer: Haydn

Haydn wasn't his only teacher, but became his mentor after the death of Mozart. One of his other teachers was Salieri.

4. Tchaikovsky wrote many great symphonies including the "Pathetique".

Answer: True

This was his sixth symphony.

5. How many symphonies did Haydn write?

Answer: 104

His last symphonies were written in London.

6. Mahler's great symphonies used some material from lieder written earlier in his life.

Answer: True

His large symphonic works widely quoted material from his lieder.

7. Who wrote "La Traviata"?

Answer: Verdi

Verdi was one of the most popular Italian composers of opera.

8. How many operas did Beethoven write?

Answer: 1

His one and only opera, "Fidelio" underwent many revisions, but never became a huge hit during Beethoven's lifetime.

9. George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" was originally intended for symphony orchestra and piano solo.

Answer: False

This piece was originally written for Paul Whiteman's [jazz] Orchestra, which was augmented by a small string section.

10. Who was the composer of such famous works as "Petroushka", "The Firebird", and "The Rake's Progress"?

Answer: Stravinsky

His other works include the famous "Rite of Spring".

11. Who is considered to be the father of Serialism, and perfected the 12-tone method of composition?

Answer: Schoenberg

His students Berg and Webern carried on his techniques.

12. Who was one of the famous mentors of Leonard Bernstein?

Answer: Aaron Copland

Bernstein wrote many works for orchestra and chorus, which he considered "serious", rather than the "fun" musicals like "West Side Story", and "Wonderful Town".

13. Who wrote the first piece for percussion ensemble?

Answer: Var�se

Var�se is famous for being one of the most resourceful composers of all time, often times using electric sirens and engines.

14. What was the name of the composer-wife of Robert Schumann?

Answer: Clara

Clara and Brahms became close, especially as her husband succumbed to a mental disorder. Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that they had any sort of romance.

15. Shostakovich wrote more than 10 string quartets.

Answer: True

Shostakovich was a prolific composers througout his career. His 12th string quartet was one of his best.

Source: Author Bartok1

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