Composers Flashcards
Who’s first two piano concertos where premiered and published while he was still a student?
Prokofiev
Who’s artistic circle was based in Paris, and included Hector Berlioz, Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Friedrich Chopin, and Nicolo Paganini?
Liszt
Who gave singing and piano lessons to Antonio Berezzi’s daughter Margherita, and later married her and had 2 kids?
Verdi
Who was a conductor at the court of Saxony in Dresden? Duties included conducting orchestral and opera performances, and composing pieces for special court occasions.
Wagner
Who is Giuseppina Strepponi?
- Verdi married her in 1859- opera singer
Who had financial problems, therefore preformed and moved lots?
Brahms
Who feared the number 13?
Schoenberg
Who conducted Vienna Sing Akademie?
Brahms
Who’s principle instrument was a cello, and played chamber music with 2 childhood friends?
Schoenberg
Who died of a stroke in 1901, and left a significant sum of money to Casa di Riposo per Musicisti, a retirement home for musicians in Milan?
Verdi
Who’s articles and essays were published in several journals including Schumann’s Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik?
Wagner
Who played his first piano sonata while still a student at his Moscow debut recital in 1910?
Prokofiev
Who attended Leipzig University and studied with teacher/composer Christian Theodor Weinlig, yet considered himself largely self-taught in music?
Wagner
Who rejected the designation of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (one of the highest awards bestowed by the French government for outstanding achievement)? Why did he reject it?
- Ravel- He felt this honour should have been granted earlier
Who began composing and playing piano at the age of 7?
Messiaen
Who had a strong desire to enter the priesthood, but chose a musical career on advice from his mother?
Liszt
Who is acknowledged as the greatest Italian composer of opera in the 19th century? His works remain a staple of the operatic repertory worldwide.
Verdi
Who was awarded an honorary doctorate by Oxford University?
Ravel
Who accepted a seat and served in the Italian parliament for 4 years?
Verdi
What years did Schumann live?
1810-1856
Who published Hamonielehre, a treaty on harmony?
Schoenberg
Who founded the Leipzig Conservatory?
Mendelssohn
Who died hours before Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, and as a result, the news of his death was withheld so as not to eclipse the dictator?
Prokofiev
Who was accepted into advance composition class taught by Gabriel Faure?
Ravel
Who moved back to Vienna in 1917 and went through “years of silence” while he worked on the development of the twelve tone system?
Schoenberg
Who became engulfed in the rising tide of Italian Nationalism?
Verdi
Who toured in the USA, Japan, and Soviet Union?
Prokofiev
Who had significant influence on successive generations of composers, including Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, and Arnold Schoenberg?
Wagner
Who was a course master for a cheater in Wurzburg?
Wagner
Where was Verdi born?
Ron Cole (by Busetto), Parma, Italy
Who received the French Legion of Honor in 1932?
Bartok
Who visited the USA and developed friendship with George Gershwin?
Ravel
Who attempted suicide by jumping off of a bridge, and spent his final years in an asylum?
Schumann
Who was a Hungarian Nationalist?
Bartok
Who fell in love with his teacher’s daughter?
Schumann (Clara Schumann)
Where was Liszt born?
Raiding, Hungary (just outside Vienna, Austria)
Where was Mendelssohn born?
Hamburg, Germany
Who was a immediate sensation in Paris, and performed 38 times in 3 months?
Liszt
Who moved to Dresden with his family, then to Dusseldorf due to political unrest?
Schumann
Who was the 9th child in the family, and grew up in a artistic environment?
Wagner
Who embarked on a successful 2 month coast-to-coast tour of the USA?
Bartok
Who viewed religion as a quest? His family was originally Orthodox Jewish, then converted to Christianity, then reconverted to Judaism.
Schoenberg
Who attracted private students in Vienna including Alban Berg and Anton Webern?
Schoenberg
Verdi composed Messa da Requiem in honour of?
Alessandro Manzoni, Italian writer
Who accepted a conducting post in Riga (Latvia)?
Wagner
Who was Erno Dohananyi to Bartok?
- his idol- famous Hungarian pianist, composer, and conductor
Where was Schumann born?
Zwickau, Germany
What did Verdi and Arigo Boito produce?
- one of Verdi’s final triumphs, Otello and Falstaff
What years did Prokofiev live?
1891-1953
Who is Claire Delbos?
- Messiaen’s first wife- composer and violinist- declared first song cycles to her
Who became friends with like-minded progressive artists nicknamed “Les apaches” (The Ruffians)?
Ravel
Who maintained a comfortable lifestyle by frequenting salons, cafes, and nightclubs of Paris?
Ravel
Who studied piano with Marie Bigot and Carl Freidrich Zelter?
Mendelssohn
Who went to London and Paris to escape creditors, hoping for success as a composer?
Wagner
Who attained a teaching position at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin with the support of Richard Strauss?
Schoenberg
Who made various guest appearances/performed across Europe?
Mendelssohn, Liszt
Who was refused entry into Paris Conservatory because he was a foreigner?
Liszt
Who began composing at 5 and loved opera (wrote 4 as a youth)?
Prokofiev
Who visited the USA and drew musical inspiration from Western mountains and canyons?
Messiaen
Who helped Berlioz and Wagner in their careers, including conducting the first performance of Wagner’s “Lohengrin”?
Liszt
Who is known as the leader of the Second Viennese School, and was one of the most influential and controversial figures in 20th century music?
Schoenberg
Who pursued interests in music, literature, and philosophy on his own and was essentially self taught?
Schoenberg
Who entered the Paris Conservatoire?
Ravel
What years did Bartok live?
1881-1945
What acronym did Verdi’s name spell as a cry for unification of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel?
Viva VittorioEmmanueleReD’ Italia
Who is associated with birdsong and ornithology?
Messiaen
Who studied art, and paintings embraced Expressionism?
Schoenberg
Who worked in Milan as a conductor at the Piccolo Scala, which was adjacent to the renowned La Scala opera house?
Verdi
Who toured England, Ireland, Switzerland, and other French cities while still a teenager?
Liszt
Who toured the USA for a second time in 1940, where he made a historic recording of his trio Contrasts with violinist Joseph Szigetti and American jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman?
Bartok
Who’s final years was marked with failing health and reclusive behaviour?
Ravel
Who was compelled to leave Germany due to the rise of the Nazi party and increasing anti-semitism?
Schoenberg
Who studied piano and theory with Eduard Marxsen?
Brahms
Who’s Father was an author/publisher, and instilled a lifelong love for literature, but died when he (composer) was 16?
Schumann
Who suffered from asthma his whole life and was often in poor health?
Schoenberg
Who was shy and rather pessimistic in nature, with health that was never robust and had serious lung issues earlier in life?
Bartok
Who entered law school to please his mother, but later pursued composition and piano studies?
Schumann
Who left school and worked for a bank for 5 years to support his family?
Schoenberg
Who published “Technique de mon language musical” (Technique of My Musical Language) in 1944, that outlined his compositional approach, especially with regard to rhythmic and pitch modes?
Messiaen
What years did Wagner live?
1813-1883
Who was appointed organist at L’eglise de la Sainte Trinite in Paris, and remained in this capacity for the rest of his life?
Messiaen
Who pursued religious studies and attained minor orders in the Catholic church?
Liszt
Who visited London in 1914 and met Sergei Diaghilev who commissioned a ballet for his company? What was this ballet called?
- Prokofiev- “Les Ballets Russes”- eventually became popular “Scythian Suite”
Who is Wilhelmine (Minna) Planer?
- Wagner married her, stayed married to her until her death but had numerous affairs- singer/actress
Who is Antonio Berezzi?
- Verdi moved to Busetto to live in his home- wealthy merchant, enthusiastic amateur musician- patronage helped finance Verdi’s musical education in Milan
Who’s father bought him an old spinneret (small keyboard instrument) when he was 7?
Verdi
Where was Bartok born?
Nagyszentmiklos, Hungary
Who’s medical treatment was paid for by ASPAC (American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers) even though he was not a member?
Bartok
Who was appointed professor of music at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris?
Messiaen
Who earned a international reputation as a virtuoso pianist and a composer?
Prokofiev
Who was appointed grand ducal director of music extraordinary in Weinmar, and moved there to focus on composing and conducting?
Liszt
Who earned a living from concert appearances and teaching?
Liszt
Who worked as a conductor at a cabaret theatre in Berlin?
Schoenberg
Who had lessons with Reinhold Giliere (famous Russian pianist)?
Prokofiev
Who studied at St. Thomas’ school in his boyhood and what is the significance of this school?
- Wagner- same school where JS Bach once taught
Who is Yvonne Loriod?
- Messiaen’s second wife- pianist- former student who premiered and recorded many of his works
Who was a frequent conservatory prize winner in both performance and theory?
Messiaen
Who toured Russia, the Baltic, and Scandinavian regions?
Schumann
Who said “I beg a thousand pardons if there should be anyone here whom I have not insulted tonight”?
Brahms
Who built a reputation as an outstanding educator and mentor? Students represent a who’s who of modern composition?
Messiaen
Where was Schoenberg born?
Vienna, Austria
Who was the conductor of Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra?
Mendelssohn
Who suffered from the loss of his wife and both children in a 2 year period?
Verdi
Who was inspired by British, Isles, Austria, Italy, and Landscapes and regional songs and dances?
Mendelssohn
Who’s growing recognition led to many international invitations, and his travels allowed him to further his musical study of birdsong, which led to formal studies in ornithology?
Messiaen
Who entered the Paris Conservatoire at a very young age, where his teachers included Paul Dukas?
Messiaen
Who studied at St. Petersburg Conservatory and was the youngest student ever admitted?
Prokofiev
Who played in an amateur orchestra under Alexander von Zemlinsky, who became his only composition teacher?
Schoenberg
What years did Brahms live?
1833-1897
Who had connections with Heinrich Heine, Victor Hugo, Alfred de Musset, and Alphonse Lamartine
Liszt
Who’s father was a English teacher and translator of Shakespeare, while his mother was a poet?
Messiaen
Who became romantically involved with Liszt’s daughter (Cosima) who was still married to conductor Hans von Bulow? They had 3 children before Cosima divorced Bulow, and later married.
Wagner
Who’s composition teachers included Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov?
Prokofiev
Who was deeply impacted by the deaths of his son and daughter (3 years apart), and by the death of his mother (4 years later)?
Liszt
What did Bartok do at Columbia University?
Worked as an ethnomusicologist
Who is Mira Mendelssohn?
- Prokofiev’s second wife- poet, his assistant- she collaborated with him on operas “Betrothal in a Monastery”, and “War and Peace”
Where was Brahms born?
Hamburg, Germany
Who helped aspiring young musicians like Antonin Dvorak?
Brahms
Who’s honours included the Legion of Honor in France?
Messiaen
What years did Liszt live?
1811-1886
Who’s level of fame compared to that of a modern rock star and had many female admirers and notorious affairs?
Liszt
10 of Verdi’s operas feature this librettist:
Francesco Maria Piave
Who is Giulio Ricordi?
- Verdi’s publisher- encouraged Verdi to work with librettist Arigo Boito
Who wanted a permanent festival for performance of his operas and got it with the new Festival Theatre at Bayreuth in 1872? He also conducted an opera in hopes of benefitting the heavily indebted theatre.
Wagner
What was Brahm’s relationship with the Schumanns?
- Robert’s last article launched Brahm’s career- lived with the Schumanns- developed romantic feelings for Clara
Who’s schooling was disrupted for 6 years by frequent moves after the death of his father?
Bartok
Where was Wagner born?
Leipzig, Germany
Who was a master-class instructor of composition at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin?
Schoenberg
Who occasionally went on concert tours, but struggled financially because he could not access overseas royalties due to the war?
Bartok
After his international performing career subsided, who taught at the Budapest Academy for over 20 years (aprox. 1905)?
Bartok
Who had a lifelong mutual admiration and friendship with Mendelssohn?
Schumann
Who is Ferdinando Provesi?
- Verdi began lessons with him in Busetto- was a church musician and director of the local philharmonic society
Who completed the first twelve tone composition in 1923?
Schoenberg
Who briefly served in WWII, and the experience left him depressed and slowed his musical output?
Schoenberg
What years did Ravel live?
1875-1937
What years did Messiaen live?
1908-1992
Who’s parents were both amateur musicians? (father a headmaster of an agricultural school, mother a teacher)
Bartok
Who died in Venice, but his body was returned to Bayreuth by train for internment?
Wagner
Who was a visiting lecturer at Harvard but was unable to finish his second lecture series because he was hospitalized with Leukaemia?
Bartok
Who was born in a Basque village but moved to Paris 3 months later?
Ravel
Who was appointed chapel organist at a local school in Poszony that offered specialized music studies?
Bartok
Who was a founding member of “La jeune France”, a group of composers promoting modern French aesthetic?
Messiaen
Who, despite receiving the highest Soviet honours (Stalin Prize, Order of the Red Banner), endured many hardships including difficulties with government censors?
Prokofiev
What did Schumann do after hearing Chopin for the first time?
- Published article “An Opus Two” in which he used the names Eusebius and Florestan?
Who introduced Brahms to people like Liszt, Berlioz, and the Schumanns?
Joseph Joachim
Who directed the local philharmonic society and gave private lessons in Busetto?
Verdi
Who had a revitalization of his career in 1923, where he made gramophone recordings, performed on radio, and gave concerts all over Europe?
Bartok
Who was commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev and his Les Ballets Russes to write the music for Daphnis et Chloe?
Ravel
Who’s father had played cello in Josef Haydn’s orchestra
Liszt
Where was Ravel born?
Ciboure, France
Who obtained musical training in Milan from Vincenzo Lavigna after he was not accepted into the conservatory in Milan?
Verdi
Who gained international reputation for the Soviet Union and for his style of music and play?
Prokofiev
Despite having gained popularity and being renowned outside the Conservatoire, who failed to win Prix de Rome after several attempts?
Ravel
Who was injured in a taxi accident, with brain damage showing up years later?
Ravel
Who is Lina Llubera?
- Prokofiev’s first wife- frequently travelled to Moscow, settled there with her - had 2 sons
Where was Prokofiev born?
Sontsovska, Ukraine
Who was conscripted into the French army at the advent of WWII, and was taken prisoner of was by the Germans in 1940?
Messiaen
Who became the music director for a travelling theatre company and gained conducting experience but accumulated heavy debt?
Wagner
After his opera marked his return and launched international fame, who had a vigorous creative period where he produced on average an opera every 9 months?
Verdi
Who entered the Budapest Academy with advanced standing in piano and composition?
Bartok
Who was in debt, and continued writing operas, but survived by working as a music arranger and journalist?
Wagner
Who was the director of music in Dusseldorf?
Mendelssohn
What years did Schoenberg live?
1874-1951
Who’s family moved to Vienna so that he could study piano with Czerny and composition with Salieri?
Liszt
Who was part of the WWI military service as an ambulance driver?
Ravel
Who felt moral obligation to his art, therefore, earning very little money as a teacher and composer?
Schoenberg
Who wrote 4 serious songs in anticipation of Clara Schumann’s death?
Brahms
Who was appointed professor at the Paris Conservatoire where he taught for over 30 years?
Messiaen
Who had 7 children, mental instability caused tension?
Schumann
Who was awarded a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Jena in Germany?
Schumann
Who had close associations with German romantic poets E.T.A. Hoffman and Jean Paul?
Brahms
Who studied Law and Aesthetics with Hegel and U of Berlin?
Mendelssohn
Who is Zoltan Kodaly?
- shared Bartok’s interest in ethnomusicology- maintained an enduring personal and professional relationship- went on many folk song collecting tours together
Who was forced to flee from Dresden as a result of his political activism and revolutionary activities, and escaped to Zurich with the help of Liszt?
Wagner
Who became a committee member in the League of Nations and witnessed deteriorating human rights and growing intolerance sweeping parts of Europe?
Bartok
Who was inspired to pursue music after hearing pianist Ignaz Moscheles?
Schumann
Who travelled to Japan for concert performances and birdsong study?
Messiaen
Who contributed to many relief efforts, including the floods in Hungary?
Liszt
Who accepted numerous Soviet commissions in Moscow?
Prokofiev
Who was appointed royal kapellmeister in Berlin but continued to conduct in Leipzig?
Mendelssohn
Who’s poetry was a favourite source for Lieder for Schumann?
Heinrich Heine
Who was born into a Jewish family, but converted to Christianity and added Bartholdi to their surname due to political and social concerns?
Mendelssohn
Who was Countess Marie D’ Agoult
Liszt had an affair with her for 4 years, had 3 kids
Who was appointed president of the music academy in Budapest?
Liszt
How did Friedrich Wieck feel about Schumann’s love for Clara?
- Did not approve, went to extreme measures to keep them apart- Schumann successfully petitioned the courts to allow them to marry in 1840 (made a statement by marrying on the eve of Clara’s 21st birthday)
Who’s historic concert tour of the Soviet Union sowed the seeds for his eventual repatriation?
Prokofiev
Who took lessons with Friedrich Wieck in Leipzig?
Schumann
Who hurt his hand and couldn’t become a concert pianist, and devoted himself to composition and music journalism?
Schumann
Where was Messiaen born?
Avignon, France
Who moved to Munich at the request of a fan, teenaged monarch King Ludwig II of Bavaria?
Wagner
Bartok was accepted into Vienna Conservatory, but did not go there. Why?
- he wanted to study with the same professors that taught Erno Dohananyi
Who was appointed professor at the Leipzig Conservatory?
Schumann
Who was championed by important writer and critic, Eduard Hans Lick?
Brahms
Who founded the amateur women’s choir in Hamburg?
Brahms
Who moved to Boston, then LA, and lectured at USC and UCLA?`
Schoenberg
Who is Mathilde Zemlinsky?
Schoenberg married her, sister of his composition teacher
Who had directorship of Vienna Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde?
Brahms
How did Ravel die?
died in Paris following brain surgery
Who settled in Paris but travelled frequently to Germany, USA, Canada, and Cuba?
Prokofiev
Who was Princess Carolyne Sayn-Wittgenstein?
- Married aristocrat with whom Liszt had an affair- Had home in Weimar, which was a major centre for artists- Followed her to Rome- Never married, relationship ended in 1864
What years did Verdi live?
1813-1901
Who didn’t get directorship of Hamburg Philharmonic, and as a result, moved to Vienna?
Brahms
Who is Heinrich Dorn?
Conductor of the Leipzig Opera with whom Schumann studied theory and counterpoint
What years did Mendelssohn live?
1809-1847
Who was appointed municipal music director in Dusseldorf in 1850?
Schumann
Who was awarded the Rubinstein Prize upon graduation?
Prokofiev
Who moved to the USA permanently in October of 1940 and settled in NYC?
Bartok
Who sought out Heinrich Heine in Munich at the age of 18?
Schumann
Who is Ditta Pastry?
- Bartok married her- was Bartok’s student- had 1 son, Peter, together
Who attended Paris World Exposition and what did he encounter there that impacted his compositional style?
- Ravel- diverse international music
Who’s sources for libretto included writers Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, and William Shakespeare?
Verdi
Who worked with Meiningen Orchestra with conductor Hans von Bulow?
Brahms
