Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Pentathlon > Fine Arts: The Natural World > Flashcards

Fine Arts: The Natural World Flashcards

1
Q

What term is used to describe wordless music that conveys a storyline?

A

Programmatic music

Programmatic music often uses instruments to illustrate specific themes or narratives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Name one composition by Claude Debussy that illustrates geographical features.

A

La mer (The Sea)

La mer is a symphonic work that depicts the sea and its various moods.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which river is the focus of Bedřich Smetana’s programmatic piece ‘Vltava’?

A

The Moldau

‘Vltava’ is the Czech name for the river known as ‘The Moldau’ in German.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Fill in the blank: The _____ is the second longest river in the world, celebrated in Philip Glass’s ballet score.

A

Amazon

The ballet score is titled ‘Águas da Amazônia’ (Waters of the Amazon).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What significant achievement did Florence Price accomplish in 1933?

A

First Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra

This historic performance marked a milestone in American classical music.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the title of the concerto written by Michael Daugherty that reflects the Mississippi River?

A

Reflections on the Mississippi

This concerto was composed in 2013 and arranged for tuba and wind band.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which volcano’s eruption inspired Alan Hovhaness to compose his Symphony No. 50?

A

Mount St. Helens

The eruption occurred in 1980 and was the largest landslide in recorded history.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the name of the book published by Denise von Glahn in 2003?

A

The Sounds of Place: Music and the American Cultural Landscape

This book explores the musical representations of various American scenes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Fill in the blank: Ferde Grofé composed the Grand Canyon Suite between _____ and _____

A

1929 and 1931

The suite is one of Grofé’s most celebrated works and is inspired by the Grand Canyon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the structure of Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite?

A

Five movements

The movements are: Sunrise, Painted Desert, On the Trail, Sunset, Cloudburst.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which movement of the Grand Canyon Suite simulates the sounds of a traveler and his burro?

A

On the Trail

This movement is particularly popular and features distinctive rhythmic elements.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

True or False: Grofé had taken the Bright Angel Trail himself before composing ‘On the Trail’.

A

False

Grofé relied on imagination and suggestions from others for this movement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What unique rhythmic element does Grofé use to create the sound of a burro in ‘On the Trail’?

A

A disjunct drop of a major seventh interval

This musical technique contributes to the portrayal of the burro’s braying.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What historical significance does the Grand Canyon hold in terms of exploration?

A

One of the earliest natural wonders viewed by outsiders

Spanish conquistadors were among the first outsiders to visit the Grand Canyon’s South Rim in 1540.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Fill in the blank: The Grand Canyon was designated as a national park in _____

A

1919

The park was established to protect the natural beauty and geological features of the area.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How many people visited the Grand Canyon in its first year as a National Park?

A

37,745

This number has significantly increased, with over 4.7 million visitors in 2022.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What was Grofé’s initial plan for the Grand Canyon Suite before it expanded?

A

A four-movement composition depicting one day from dawn to dusk

The suite ultimately grew to five movements, reflecting various aspects of the canyon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a cadenza in the context of a concerto?

A

A passage without a steady beat where the solo performer showcases virtuosic techniques, sometimes improvising.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Who assisted Grofé in creating the cadenza for ‘On the Trail’?

A

Kurt Dieterle, the principal violinist of the Whiteman orchestra.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is a fermata?

A

A moment in a piece where the sense of forward motion stops briefly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What technique requires the performer to play on two strings at the same time?

A

Double-stops.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is a glissando?

A

A technique where the performer slides down quickly through the intervening pitches.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What two motifs are introduced during the cadenza of ‘On the Trail’?

A
  • Cowboy Song motif
  • Burro motif
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What inspired Grofé’s ‘Burro’ motif?

A

The sound of pile-drivers during a building operation while he was walking with his infant son.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What was the significance of 'On the Trail' in terms of radio history?
'On the Trail' was used as the signature tune for the Philip Morris Radio Show for twenty years.
26
What is programmatic music?
Music that is intended to evoke images or convey the impression of events.
27
Which composer created a celebrated storm in his Third Symphony?
Ludwig van Beethoven.
28
What is the nickname of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony?
Pastoral.
29
What is the structure of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony?
It consists of five movements.
30
How does Beethoven's 'Thunderstorm' movement start?
With a sustained pianissimo Db pitch in the lowest strings.
31
What is an ostinato?
A repeated musical phrase or rhythm.
32
What harmonic surprise occurs at the beginning of the 'Thunderstorm' movement?
The first played chord is F minor instead of the expected F major.
33
What role do the timpani play in the 'Thunderstorm' movement?
They contribute to the sound of thunderclaps and are used for the first time in the overall symphony.
34
What is polymeter?
The simultaneous use of two or more different meters.
35
Fill in the blank: The 'Cowboy Song' motif in 'On the Trail' was inspired by Grofé's _______.
infant son.
36
True or False: Beethoven composed his symphonies while being an employee under a patron.
False.
37
What did Beethoven’s composition style reflect during the Romantic era?
The perception of composers as 'artists' rather than employees.
38
What notable event took place during Beethoven's concert on December 22, 1808?
The first public performance of his Fourth Piano Concerto and the premieres of his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies.
39
What did Beethoven aim to avoid between the third, fourth, and fifth movements of the Sixth Symphony?
Breaks between movements.
40
What does the term 'sforzando' mean in music?
A sudden, strong accent on a note.
41
What role do timpani play in the sound of thunder?
They contribute to the sound of thunderclaps by means of sforzandos.
42
In which movement of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony are timpani used?
In the 'Thunderstorm.'
43
What instrument is introduced almost halfway through the 'Thunderstorm' movement?
Piccolo.
44
What is the significance of the trombones in Beethoven's Sixth Symphony?
They are a 'surprise' tone color introduced in the second half of the fourth movement.
45
What compositional form does Beethoven use for the 'Thunderstorm'?
Through-composed.
46
What is the 'S–E–A' motif in Takemitsu's compositions?
A set of three pitches: Eb–E–A.
47
What does the term 'flora' refer to?
Plant life.
48
What is 'sawari' in Takemitsu's philosophy?
A traditional value aimed at reproducing the sounds of nature.
49
Which cycle of works by Takemitsu focuses on aquatic themes?
Waterscape cycle.
50
How does Takemitsu describe the relationship between water and sound?
Water is like a sound; it may change form but continues to exist.
51
What is the main theme of the piece 'Ame no ki' (Rain Tree)?
It creates a unified image of rain.
52
What type of chamber music does 'Ame no ki' represent?
Trio.
53
What are the primary Western idiophones used in 'Ame no ki'?
Marimbas and vibraphone.
54
What visual elements are incorporated in Takemitsu's 'Ame no ki'?
Performers are separated on stage and illuminated by spotlights.
55
What inspired Takemitsu's 'Waterscape' series?
The natural cycle of change that water undergoes.
56
What does the concept of interconnectedness in Zen Buddhism imply?
The notion of 'oneness' with the universe.
57
What is the significance of bees in the plant life cycle?
They are important pollinators that help transfer pollen between flowers.
58
Which Russian composer is known for capturing the antics of an insect in his composition?
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.
59
What career path was expected of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov?
A naval career.
60
At what age did Rimsky-Korsakov enter the Naval College?
Twelve.
61
What type of structure does Takemitsu use in 'Ame no ki'?
Through-composed structure.
62
Fill in the blank: The tuba was not patented until _______.
1835.
63
What was one of the criticisms of the Fantasia adaptation of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony?
It was criticized for its correlation with visual images.
64
What is the height range of a rain tree?
Typically up to 80 feet, with some reaching 160 feet.
65
What is the typical diameter of a rain tree?
About 100 feet.
66
What career did Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov initially pursue?
Naval career ## Footnote He entered the Naval College in St. Petersburg at age twelve.
67
Who was Mily Balakirev?
An informal music tutor to Rimsky-Korsakov ## Footnote He encouraged Rimsky-Korsakov to compose a symphony.
68
What nickname was given to the group of young Russian composers that included Rimsky-Korsakov?
The Mighty Handful or The Five ## Footnote They had a significant impact on developing a 'Russian' style of classical music.
69
How many operas did Rimsky-Korsakov complete in his lifetime?
Fifteen operas
70
What role was Rimsky-Korsakov appointed to by the head of the Russian navy?
Inspector of Naval Bands ## Footnote This position was created specifically for him.
71
What is the significance of 'The Flight of the Bumblebee'?
It serves as musical support for a transformation scene in The Tale of Tsar Saltan ## Footnote It has become a standalone concert piece.
72
What musical technique is used to depict Gvidon's shrinking size in 'The Flight of the Bumblebee'?
Diminuendo during a descending chromatic scale
73
What is a leitmotif?
A short melody that serves as a musical symbol ## Footnote Often associated with characters or themes in operas.
74
Who composed a famous two-note leitmotif for the shark in Jaws?
John Williams
75
What was the context of Messiaen's 'Quartet for the End of Time'?
Written while he was in a World War II prisoner-of-war camp
76
What challenges do musicians face when transcribing birdsong?
Birds vocalize quickly and often at high pitches ## Footnote A skylark can sing between 100 and 103 tones per second.
77
What is perfect pitch?
The ability to identify specific pitches without reference ## Footnote Also known as absolute pitch.
78
What notable works did Amy Beach compose that were inspired by birdsong?
Hermit Thrush at Eve and Hermit Thrush at Morn
79
What is the significance of the 'hermit thrush' compositions by Amy Beach?
They include exact notations of hermit thrush songs ## Footnote Emphasized her avian 'co-composer' in the score.
80
What was the first major task assigned to Rimsky-Korsakov by Balakirev?
Compose a symphony
81
True or False: Rimsky-Korsakov's first symphony was not well received.
False ## Footnote It received exuberant applause.
82
Fill in the blank: Rimsky-Korsakov was known for his ability to write effectively for _______.
orchestra
83
What is the role of ornithologists in relation to birdsong?
Create written records of birdsong
84
What did Rimsky-Korsakov do to enhance his knowledge of wind instruments?
Studied how to play various wind instruments ## Footnote He took instruments like trombone, flute, and clarinet on vacation.
85
What is the title of Amy Beach's composition that features bird songs?
Hermit Thrush at Morn ## Footnote This piece is part of her opus 92 and incorporates exact notations of hermit thrush songs.
86
Where did Amy Beach obtain the bird songs used in Hermit Thrush at Morn?
MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, N. H. ## Footnote Beach noted that the bird calls were transcribed an octave lower.
87
Which poem did Beach quote at the top of Hermit Thrush at Morn?
The Thrush’s Nest by John Clare ## Footnote The poem was first published in 1833.
88
What rhythmic pattern characterizes the right hand in Hermit Thrush at Morn?
Irregular rhythmic patterns with some pitches as quarter notes and groups of thirteen or fourteen notes. ## Footnote This pattern reflects the actual melody of the hermit thrush.
89
What does 'Quasi valse lento' indicate in Beach's composition?
Like a slow waltz ## Footnote This tempo indication suggests a waltz-like accompaniment for the piece.
90
What does Beach suggest about the tempo of Hermit Thrush at Morn?
The tempo should be very irregular with excessive rubato. ## Footnote Performers should focus on the bird songs as the primary material.
91
What is a significant form used in Hermit Thrush at Morn?
Rondo form ## Footnote Beach incorporates counterpoint to create a C section that combines melodies.
92
What key is Hermit Thrush at Morn primarily in?
D minor ## Footnote The left hand concludes with a prolonged D minor chord.
93
What major work did Ferde Grofé compose that depicts the Grand Canyon?
Grand Canyon Suite ## Footnote This suite was composed between 1929 and 1931.
94
What movement in the Grand Canyon Suite represents a mule ride?
On the Trail ## Footnote This movement was suggested by a colleague of Grofé.
95
What musical technique is featured in Grofé's cadenza for the violin?
Glissandos and double-stops ## Footnote These techniques showcase virtuosity within the movement.
96
What does 'polymeter' refer to in Grofé's On the Trail?
The simultaneous use of different meters. ## Footnote The 'Burro' motif is in one meter while the 'Cowboy Song' is in cut-time.
97
Which composer created the 'Gewitter Sturm: Allegro' movement?
Ludwig van Beethoven ## Footnote This movement is part of his Sixth Symphony, known as the Pastoral Symphony.
98
What sound does Beethoven use to evoke thunder in his 'Thunderstorm' movement?
Rapidly bowed tremolo and polyrhythmic ostinato patterns. ## Footnote The unusual timbre of a piccolo is also used to suggest winds.
99
Who blended Japanese heritage with Western training in their compositions?
Torō Takemitsu ## Footnote He focused on reproducing sounds of nature in his works.
100
What series by Takemitsu emphasizes water in many forms?
Waterscape series ## Footnote This series reflects the concept of mutation in nature.
101
What is the main motif used by Takemitsu in Ame no ki (Rain Tree)?
S–E–A motif ## Footnote This motif serves as a unifying symbol in his work.
102
What does 'Flight of the Bumblebee' illustrate in Rimsky-Korsakov's opera?
The transformation of Prince Gvidon into a bumblebee. ## Footnote This occurs in the fairy-tale opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan.
103
What musical form does Rimsky-Korsakov use for 'Flight of the Bumblebee'?
A-B-A ternary form ## Footnote The piece has been widely quoted and satirized in various contexts.
104
What are character pieces in music?
Short instrumental compositions that convey an image without a storyline. ## Footnote They often focus on a single mood or idea.
105
Who first published a study of notated birdsong in 1650?
Athanasius Kircher ## Footnote His work is titled Musurgia universalis.
106
What is perfect pitch also known as?
Absolute pitch ## Footnote Amy Beach had this ability, which aided her in transcribing bird calls.
107
What musical technique did Beach use to support the erratic thrush song?
Triple-meter waltz-style accompaniment ## Footnote This is evident in the opening A section of her composition.
108
What does the final pitch of the thrush in Hermit Thrush at Morn not resolve to?
D, F, or A ## Footnote The final pitch is a 'C,' indicating the bird's influence on the music.

Pentathlon (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions