Quotes by Composers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Claude Debussy

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was a French composer who wrote in the Impressionist style, emphasizing mood and emotions in his music. He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of his time, and sadly died before his time, succumbing to cancer at the age of 55.

Amongst his most recognizable works is the "Suite bergamasque, for piano, L. 75", which contains "Clair de lune" and "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune".

Answer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was an Austrian child prodigy who was paraded around the courts of Europe by his father Leopold as a violinist as early as age four. He had an amazing impact on the Classical era of music, and really popularized the use of the newly-invented piano. His life was tragically cut short at the age of 35 from a fever epidemic (although some suggest he was poisoned).

Mozart has an amazing array of popularly-known compositions, although arguably his most famous work is "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" (Serenade No. 13 - 1787).

Answer: Robert Schumann

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) was a German composer, considered one of the greatest of the Romantic era. His original intent as a musician was to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist, but a hand injury forced him to take a different path. In 1833, Schumann began to experience depression, and this disorder affected him for the rest of his life, at times to the point of attempted suicide. In 1854 he committed himself to an asylum; he died two years later.

Schumann wrote exclusively for the piano until 1840, but his work afterwards came to be more varied. He became known for his 'Lieder' (songs for voice and piano) in later years. Probably his most well-known work for solo piano is "Carnaval, Op. 9", written in 1833.

Answer: Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was an Austrian composer who bridged the gap between the late Romantic era and the early 'contemporary' or 'modern' music of the 20th Century. Mahler worked largely as a conductor to earn a wage, and composed when he could. Much of his body of work was for large orchestras and symphonic choruses.

Mahler's most well-known symphony would be his "Symphony No. 5", composed in 1901/02, especially its third movement, "Adagietto". The symphony exceeds an hour in length.

Answer: Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was a German composer who wrote in the Romantic era, often premiering his own compositions as a virtuoso pianist. His popularity as a composer often groups him alongside Beethoven and Bach as 'The Three Bs'. Brahms adapted the freedom of Romantic composition within the structures of Baroque and Classical traditions, perhaps giving the reason behind his wide appeal.

Brahms wrote for many different instrumental and vocal ensembles, but one of his most successful works in his lifetime was the "Hungarian Dances" (1869) for piano duet, a collection of Roma songs which was performed all over the world.

Answer: Igor Stravinsky

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) was a Russian composer who was instrumental (pardon the pun) in establishing the stylistic diversity of 20th century music. His work greatly influenced his peers, and he blazed a trail in pushing the musical boundaries of previous eras.

Stravinsky created a number of well-known works, but (as a bassoonist) perhaps his most famous is "The Rite of Spring", a controversial ballet that premiered in 1913 (it nearly caused a riot).

Answer: Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist who wrote his compositions for the piano; if it wasn't for solo piano, it included piano as part of the composition. He wrote in many different styles, but much of his work is technically difficult, as it seems he wrote to challenge his own ability. His death at the age of 39 is believed to have been due to tuberculosis.

Chopin wrote in many different styles, but he is perhaps best known for his nocturnes (night music) and mazurkas, which are in their essence Polish dance music. That said, his "Ballade No. 4, Op. 52" is considered by many to be the epitome of Romantic solo piano music.

Answer: Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a Germon composer who straddled the Classical and Romantic eras of Western musical tradition, and it is evident in the progression of his own compositions over the decades he was active. During his career he was not only known for his composition, but he was also a virtuoso pianist. Sadly, he suffered from hearing loss that began in his 20s, and during the last decade of his life he was almost completely deaf.

Beethoven's popular works are many and varied, but perhaps his most enduring is his "Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125", also known as "The Choral", which contains the ubiquitous "Ode to Joy".

Answer: Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was an American 20th century composer who became known as 'The Dean of American Composers' for his exploration of American themes and his deliberately populist style. He became so commercially successful that by the time of his death he had become a multi-millionaire.

Amongst his best-known works is "Fanfare for the Common Man" (1942), which was inspired by a speech by Vice President Henry Wallace that spoke of the 'Century of the Common Man.'

Answer: Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer that had such an influence on the Baroque style of music that the date of his death is often considered the end of the Baroque era. Bach wrote primarily for the church and was typically employed as an organist and Konzertmeister wherever he lived during his career (with some variations).

Amongst J.S. Bach's many works, probably his most recognizable are the "Brandenburg Concertos (BWV 1046-1051)", originally titled "Six Concerts à plusieurs instruments", published in 1721.