Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This four note motif is undoubtedly the most popular and most recognized in all of classical music. Roll over and tell me which composer I am referring too-- and I hope you are not too deaf to hear fate knocking at the door.
2. Lady MacBeth of Mzentsk tells me that she heard that at the premier of this Fifth Symphony it was followed by a thundering ovation that lasted about 40 minutes. I am sure she got her facts on the nose. Which composer found himself restored to political favor with this Fifth Symphony?
3. This was this composer's first extended symphony, written in 1832, but not published until years after his death - the Fifth of his symphonies to be published. It was written to honor the 300th anniversary of the Augsberg Confession--a key doctrine in the Lutheran Reformation, therefore the symphony was titled "The Reformation" (perhaps the inspiration to compose this came to him during a midsummer night's dream). Do you know who wrote it?
4. Okay, to be honest, this particular symphony I am referring to here is no longer a Fifth Symphony, but it used to be, and some early recordings still show it to be designated as a Fifth Symphony. To confuse matters more, it even one time was designated as an Eighth Symphony. But it is so popular, even now known as his Ninth Symphony, that I included it here for old times sake. I guess it could be said that when the music scholars got together and cataloged his works they really opened up a new world. Which of these composers got renumbered?
5. Premiered in January 1945 with the composer conducting, this Fifth Symphony endured as one of his most popular works. Even my friend Peter and his pet wolf think it is much more loved than any three oranges any day. Which Russian composer wrote this Fifth Symphony in Bb, opus 100?
6. Of his six symphonies, his Fifth is one of two that do not have titles. But no matter, his Fifth Symphony, or any of his symphonies, goes quite well with some danish pastry. Who is this man?
7. Written in 1901 and 1902, this Fifth Symphony is also considered the best known of this Austrian composer. It has been since revised (and given resurrection) several times by the composer. It consists of five movements, and an average performance lasts about 70 minutes. Do you know who wrote this large scale work?
8. This Fifth Symphony was commissioned by the Finnish government to honor the composer's 50th birthday. So, who was this "Birthday Boy of Finlandia"?
9. First played in 1888, the composer of this Fifth Symphony thought it to be a dismal failure, but at least he didn't try to destroy the score by shredding it with a nutcracker, or by throwing it in some swan-ladened lake. Do you know who was this self-critical Russian composer?
10. And for the last question, a Fifth Symphony of a different sort in that it is not written for orchestra, but for solo organ, composed in 1879. The 4th movement is the very famous "Toccatta". Who is this "organ-ic" composer?
Source: Author
marchlover
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agony before going online.
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