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Quiz about Romantic Composers and Their Works

Romantic Composers and Their Works Quiz

Some miscellaneous questions on Romantic composers and their works.

A multiple-choice quiz by SuperRo. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
SuperRo

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
93,727

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
8 / 15

Plays
1095

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen" is based on a novel by which author? Hint

Hoffmann

Richter

Nietszche

Merimee

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Question 2 of 15

2. Who said of one of his symphonies that it was "more an expression of feeling than painting in sound"? Hint

Chopin

Beethoven

Berlioz

Mussorgsky

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Question 3 of 15

3. Which Verdi opera features "The Anvil Chorus"? Hint

La Traviata

Nabucco

Rigoletto

Il Trovatore

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Question 4 of 15

4. Which of these composers was best known for reviving "absolute music"? Hint

Wagner

Bizet

Berlioz

Brahms

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Question 5 of 15

5. In "March to the Scaffold", by Hector Berlioz, which instrument plays the id�e fixe as the guillotine blade falls? Hint

clarinet

bassoon

English horn

oboe

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Question 6 of 15

6. Which of the following composers was a noted pianist until a finger injury forced him to focus solely on composing? Hint

Mendelssohn

Mahler

Schubert

R. Schumann

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Question 7 of 15

7. Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" is based on a work by which author? Hint

Prosper Merimee

Heinrich Heine

Friedrich Nietszche

E.T.A. Hoffmann

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Question 8 of 15

8. The wood grain in a modern piano's lid, as opposed to that of a pianoforte, is angled because of which composer? Hint

C. Schumann

Chopin

Brahms

Liszt

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Question 9 of 15

9. Which of Dvorak's works is reputed to contain an instance of the American spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"? Hint

Biblical Songs

First Symphony

String Quartet no. 12 in F

Ninth Symphony

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Question 10 of 15

10. Who was the main contributor to the lieder genre? Hint

Schumann

Chopin

Schubert

Strauss

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Question 11 of 15

11. What was the title of Beethoven's only opera? Hint

Fidelio

The Marriage of Figaro

The Magic Flute

Der Rosenkavalier

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Question 12 of 15

12. Which Verdi opera contained the chorus "Va, pensiero", which quickly became the rallying cry for the Italian risorgimento? Hint

Oberto

Rigoletto

Il Trovatore

Nabucco

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Question 13 of 15

13. In Strauss's "Also Sprach Zarathustra", what is considered to be the key of Humanity? Hint

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Question 14 of 15

14. Part II of Mahler's Symphony No. 1 ("Titan") is generally considered to be a nod to which author? Hint

Homer

Chaucer

Dante

Lord Byron

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Question 15 of 15

15. Which type of piano character pieces popularized by Chopin were said to have been inspired by the poetry of Adam Mickiewicz? Hint

ballade

nocturne

impromptu

mazurka

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen" is based on a novel by which author?

Answer: Merimee

Prosper Merimee was the French novelist whose work inspired Bizet's opera, although many music historians contend that the true inspiration for the character of Carmen was Bizet's lady friend Celeste Venard.

2. Who said of one of his symphonies that it was "more an expression of feeling than painting in sound"?

Answer: Beethoven

Beethoven was talking about his Sixth Symphony, better known as "The Pastoral." Beethoven chose to use symbolism in his works rather than to interpret nature literally.

3. Which Verdi opera features "The Anvil Chorus"?

Answer: Il Trovatore

"Il Trovatore", like many of Verdi's operas, was known for its uplifting, nationalistic melodies - including "The Anvil Chorus."

4. Which of these composers was best known for reviving "absolute music"?

Answer: Brahms

Unlike most composers of the Romantic Era, Johannes Brahms wanted his compositions to be accepted on their own musical terms rather than as works that followed a program or told a story.

5. In "March to the Scaffold", by Hector Berlioz, which instrument plays the id�e fixe as the guillotine blade falls?

Answer: clarinet

This appearance of the id�e fixe here signifies that the condemned man's last thoughts are of his lover.

6. Which of the following composers was a noted pianist until a finger injury forced him to focus solely on composing?

Answer: R. Schumann

In 1831, Schumann had already begun to publish his own works and start a performing career. However, he injured his finger permanently and thus was forced to focus exclusively on composing.

7. Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite" is based on a work by which author?

Answer: E.T.A. Hoffmann

"The Nutcracker" ballet was based on a story by the German author E.T.A. Hoffmann.

8. The wood grain in a modern piano's lid, as opposed to that of a pianoforte, is angled because of which composer?

Answer: Liszt

Liszt began the tradition of placing the piano so that the pianist would have his profile facing the audience. Therefore, the grain in the modern piano's lid is often angled to transmit sound out to the right.

9. Which of Dvorak's works is reputed to contain an instance of the American spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"?

Answer: Ninth Symphony

The Ninth Symphony (or the "New World" Symphony) was one of the many works that Dvorak wrote in America. Others include the String Quartet no. 12 in F, the String Quartet in Eb, the Sonatina in G for violin and piano, Suite in A for piano, and Biblick� pisn� ('Biblical Songs').

10. Who was the main contributor to the lieder genre?

Answer: Schubert

Schubert's contribution to the genre of the lied is striking, as is the amount of his musical text settings, which number 660. This is generally attributed to Schubert's familiarity with many textual sources such as novels, plays and poems.

11. What was the title of Beethoven's only opera?

Answer: Fidelio

"Fidelio" was originally unsuccessful, but Beethoven revised it twice and it finally met with success in 1814.

12. Which Verdi opera contained the chorus "Va, pensiero", which quickly became the rallying cry for the Italian risorgimento?

Answer: Nabucco

"Nabucco" translates to Nebuchudnezzar, and the opera depicts the Biblical story of the Jewish captivity in Babylon. This quickly struck a chord with Italians, who were yearning to break away from foreign rule and become a united nation.

13. In Strauss's "Also Sprach Zarathustra", what is considered to be the key of Humanity?

Answer: B

The musical design of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" depends on the opposition of two tonal centers: C (major or occasionally minor), which traditionally symbolizes Nature or the Universe, and B, which is the key of Humanity.

14. Part II of Mahler's Symphony No. 1 ("Titan") is generally considered to be a nod to which author?

Answer: Dante

Part II is called "The Human Comedy." This is generally considered to be a nod to Dante Alighieri, since the last movement is entitled "From the Inferno."

15. Which type of piano character pieces popularized by Chopin were said to have been inspired by the poetry of Adam Mickiewicz?

Answer: ballade

A ballade is a piece in a narrative style, characterized by compound meter, lyrical melodies, powerful climaxes, and wonderful harmonies. Chopin was considered to be the master of the genre.

Source: Author SuperRo

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