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The Great Rachmaninov Trivia Quiz

Remind yourself of what you know about Rachmaninov, or learn something new!

A multiple-choice quiz by ET10100. Estimated time: 4 mins.

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Author
ET10100

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
340,687

Updated
Dec 25 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
412

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. To what era of classical music does Rachmaninov belong? Hint

Early Romanticism

Baroque

Classicism

Late Romanticism

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Question 2 of 10

2. Sergei Rachmaninov was born on: Hint

April first, 1873

October first, 1903

January 6th, 1872

March first, 1810

3. After getting drunk, Rachmaninov almost had a fight in his Beverly Hills home with another famous composer of his time, but their wives separated them. Who was that composer, well known for his ballet "Firebird"? Hint

Dmitry Shostakovich

Igor Stravinsky

George Gershwin

John Cage

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Question 4 of 10

4. The words in Choral Symphony "The Bells" are written by which famous poet? Hint

Edgar Allan Poe

Alexander Pushkin

Lord Byron

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Question 5 of 10

5. Rachmaninov had his American debut in 1909 playing which famous composition? Hint

Piano Concerto No.1

Piano Concerto No.3

Piano Concerto No.4

Piano Concerto No.2

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Question 6 of 10

6. After the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony, in 1897, Rachmaninov suffered from depression and with a help from hypnotherapist Nikolai Dahl, he recovered and wrote one of his most famous works, and dedicated it to doctor Dahl. Which work is that? Hint

Prelude in c# minor

Symphony No.2

Piano Concerto No.2

Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini

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Question 7 of 10

7. The famous 18th Variation which appears in many movies, such as : "Groundhog Day", "Ronin", "Sabrina", "Somewhere in Time" is a part of which work? Hint

Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini

Variations on a Theme by Chopin

Variations on a Theme by Corelli

Piano Concerto No.2

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the original, Latin name of the medieval chant which Rachmaninov used many times in his compositions? Hint

Dies Irae

Ante diem

Rex tremendae

Confutatis maledictis

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Question 9 of 10

9. Rachmaninov said that the theme for his Prelude in b minor, Op.32 No.10 can be summed up in one word. Which word might that be? Hint

Bells

The Return

Waves

Russia

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Question 10 of 10

10. Rachmaninov was buried in which of these cemeteries? Hint

Zentralfriedhof, Vienna

Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York

Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

San Michele Cemetery, Venice

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. To what era of classical music does Rachmaninov belong?

Answer: Late Romanticism

His music is very romantic, when most other composers at the time were composing modern classical music. In fact, Rachmaninoff was the last well-known Russian romantic composer.

2. Sergei Rachmaninov was born on:

Answer: April first, 1873

Alexander Scriabin was born in 1872, Vladimir Horowitz in 1903 and Frederic Chopin in 1810.

Answer: Igor Stravinsky

They teased each other about how little they earned with their most popular music. Stravinsky used to call Rachmaninov a "Six and a half-foot scowl".

4. The words in Choral Symphony "The Bells" are written by which famous poet?

Answer: Edgar Allan Poe

Rachminov's Choral Symphony, "The Bells", is written in four parts, describing four stages in human life. The four movements are named: 1."The Silver Sleigh Bells", 2."The Mellow Wedding Bells", 3."The Loud Alarm Bells", 4. "The Mournful Iron Bells". This was, together with "Vespers" Rachmaninov`s favourite work.

5. Rachmaninov had his American debut in 1909 playing which famous composition?

Answer: Piano Concerto No.3

This concerto is one of the major themes of the movie "Shine" from 1996. The concerto is very difficult and the great pianist Joseph Hofmann, to whom it was dedicated never performed it.

Answer: Piano Concerto No.2

This concerto is one of the most famous pieces in classical music today. It is featured in many films, such as: "Brief Encounter" by David Lean, "The Seven Year Itch" by Billy Wilder, "Hereafter" by Clint Eastwood. Parts of the concerto are cited in music of the band Muse and by many other artists, such as Frank Sinatra.

7. The famous 18th Variation which appears in many movies, such as : "Groundhog Day", "Ronin", "Sabrina", "Somewhere in Time" is a part of which work?

Answer: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini

The 18th Variation has a theme which is the original Paganini theme played upside-down (inverted). Rachmaninov recognized the appeal of this variation, and said "this one is for my agent".

8. What is the original, Latin name of the medieval chant which Rachmaninov used many times in his compositions?

Answer: Dies Irae

"Dies Irae" has appeared in many movies, such as "The Seventh Seal","The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Shining". This medieval chant was part of Catholic Mass of the Dead, and later became popular in classical music as a "death theme". Rachmaninov applied this sequence in more than third of his entire opus.

9. Rachmaninov said that the theme for his Prelude in b minor, Op.32 No.10 can be summed up in one word. Which word might that be?

Answer: The Return

After the 1917 revolution, Rachmaninov left Russia, never to be back home again.

10. Rachmaninov was buried in which of these cemeteries?

Answer: Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York

His last recital, given in February 1943, featured Chopin's B flat minor Sonata - which includes the famous funeral marsch. He died on March 28, 1943 in Beverly Hills, California from lung cancer. Rachmaninov wanted to be buried at his estate, Villa Senar, in Switzerland, but World War Two was happening which made that impossible.

Source: Author ET10100

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