History 1 Composer Traits

Question 1

Innovations found in his symphonies include the use of the scherzo, cyclical structure, programmatic elements, and the inclusion of vocal soloists and chorus.

Answer 1

Beethoven

Question 2

His harmonic approach includes parallel chord streams, unresolved dissonance and quartal harmonies.

Answer 2

Debussy

Question 3

His choruses often alternate homorhythmic passages with imitative textures.

Answer 3

Handel

Question 4

He took a vivid and original approach to orchestration, expanding the size and make-up of the orchestra, often specifying grandiose performing forces.

Answer 4

Berlioz

Question 5

He carried the vocal lyricism of his operas into his instrumental compositions.

Answer 5

Mozart

Question 6

This composer cultivates a pan-ethnic perspective combining traditional Asian music with Western influences.

Answer 6

Louie

Question 7

He composed works in every genre of his day with the exception of opera.

Answer 7

Bach

Question 8

The detailed ornamentation of his melodic lines recalls the bel canto vocal style.

Answer 8

Chopin

Question 9

His early works are characterized by driving rhythms, primal energy, and a percussive approach.

Answer 9

Stravinsky

Question 10

His instrumental works reflect the spirit of the Classical era, while his vocal works are more Romantic in nature.

Answer 10

Schubert

Question 11

He contributed to the development of the Baroque solo concerto and was a leader in establishing ritornello form.

Answer 11

Vivaldi

Question 12

He was a master of the contrapuntal art who dedicated his works “to the glory of God”.

Answer 12

Bach

Question 13

He was regarded as the “father” of the symphony and string quartet because of his significant contributions to both.

Answer 13

Haydn

Question 14

He exemplified Viennese Classical ideals such as elegance, balance and refinement.

Answer 14

Mozart

Question 15

He wrote almost exclusively for the piano.

Answer 15

Chopin

Question 16

Musical nationalism is demonstrated in his polonaises and mazurkas.

Answer 16

Chopin

Question 17

He increased the role of the piano in his art songs; the piano accompaniment often depicts specific elements of the poem.

Answer 17

Schubert

Question 18

He explored orchestral writing unrestricted by pianistic conventions, and invented new orchestral effects such as col legno.

Answer 18

Berlioz

Question 19

As an avid reader, he was influenced by Shakespeare as well as leading writers of his day, including Goethe, Byron and Hugo.

Answer 19

Berlioz

Question 20

He integrated American, Hispanic and Jewish elements in his compositions, and absorbed popular, jazz, and musical theatre elements.

Answer 20

Bernstein

Question 21

This composer varied harmonic language, embracing tonality, modality and extreme dissonance, and injects humour into operas and stage works.

Answer 21

Louie

Question 22

His brilliant and idiomatic writing for strings is demonstrated in the virtuosity of his solo concertos.

Answer 22

Vivaldi

Question 23

He drew inspiration from the work of Impressionist painters and Symbolist poets.

Answer 23

Debussy

Question 24

He set forth his innovative ideas on orchestral colour and instrumental colour in a treatise on orchestration.

Answer 24

Berlioz

Question 25

Known first for his Italian operas, his later dramatic works were English oratorios.

Answer 25

Handel

Question 26

He employed widely spaced accompaniment patterns and sweeping arpeggiation sustained with the damper pedal.

Answer 26

Chopin

Question 27

He often used monothematic expositions in his sonata-form movements, and was influenced by folk songs and dances.

Answer 27

Haydn

Question 28

Musical playfulness and dramatic elements are demonstrated by sudden accents or dynamic changes, abrupt silences, and bold changes of chords or keys.

Answer 28

Haydn

Question 29

He was influenced by the Mannheim orchestra, with the expanded use of wind instruments in his orchestral writings. His piano concertos were influenced by J. C. Bach.

Answer 29

Mozart

Question 30

Opera was central to his career, creating compelling, realistic characters dramatically and musically.

Answer 30

Mozart

Question 31

Extended embellishments and ornamental passages are prominent in his nocturnes and other lyrical works. Improvisatory qualities exist in many of his works, such as Preludes and Impromptus.

Answer 31

Chopin

Question 32

He preferred large-scale forms, such as symphonies and oratorios. He embraced programmatic writing in program symphonies and concert overtures. He wrote few small works and character pieces.

Answer 32

Berlioz

Question 33

Some of his later works embraced Schoenburg’s twelve-tone method and sparse textures inspired by Webern.

Answer 33

Stravinsky

Question 34

In his early years, he was influenced by the rich orchestration of Rimsky-Korsakov, and expressed Russian nationalism through use of folk song and dance.

Answer 34

Stravinsky

Question 35

In his middle years, he showed emotional restraint, balance and discipline, as he adopted a neo-Classical style with emphasis on formal design.

Answer 35

Stravinsky

Question 36

This composer’s influences include Stravinsky, Debussy, and Canadian First Nations music.

Answer 36

Louie