Music: Composers & Compositions Flashcards
If you can't Handel Liszts, this isn't for you.
Antonio Vivaldi
(Appears 17 times and in four “Who Am I?” questions)
1678 - 1741
Baroque
The Four Seasons (/ “The Seasons?”)
Known as “The Red Priest”
Who am I? I was born in 1676 in Venice. I was trained for the priesthood and was
ordained in 1703. I honed my musical skills in a girls’ music school and spent most ofmy
time writing music and traveling. My many .compositions include operas, more than four hundred concerti, and many other works for various instrumental combinations. Perhaps my most famous composition is The Four Seasons.
I was born in Venice in 1678. My father, who was a barber before becoming a musician, taught me to play the violin. Due to my poor health, I withdrew from my priestly duties to compose and perform music. Among my best-known compositions heard today is my series of violin concerti known as The Four Seasons.
Who am I? I was born in Venice, Italy in 1678. I am remembered as a virtuoso violinist, composer, and priest. I composed numerous concerti, sacred choral works, and operas. Perhaps my most famous work is The Four Seasons.
Who am I? I was born on March 4, 1678 in Venice, Italy. I was taught to play the violin by my
father. My most popular composition is a set of concertos for the violin entitled The Four
Seasons. Today I am one of the most celebrated composers of the Baroque Era.
Musical Selections: “Spring” from The Four Seasons
Identify the title, larger work, and composer.
Spring from the Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi
Johann Sebastian Bach
Baroque
1685 - 1750
Brandenburg Concertos (No. 1, 2, 5) wdate
The Well-Tempered Clavier
The Passion (inspired by the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) (eg. “St. Matthew Passion)
The Coffee Cantata (1735)
Most closely associated with cantatas
His widow is Anna Magdalena
Associated somehow with Prince Leopold
I was born in Eisenach, the capital of the duchy of Saxe-Eisenachin in 1685 and
became an organist and composer. My career culminated in my appointment as Thomaskantor,
Cantor of the Thomasschule at the Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) in Leipzig, which
provided music for four churches in the city. I am remembered as a prolific composer of
hundreds of cantatas, numerous works for chamber and orchestral groups, keyboard music, and
much more. My works include my Christmas Oratorio, St. Matthew Passion, and Brandenburg
Concerti.
“Little Fugue in G Minor”, “Air on a G String, Brandenburg Concerto No2, “Toccata and Fugue in D-Minor”
Identify the composer
(Toccata and Fugue in D-Minor by) Johann Sebastian Bach
Identify the title and composer.
Air on the G-String by Johann Sebastian Bach
Identify the composer
(Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 by) Johann Sebastian Bach
Georg Philipp Telemann
Baroque
1681 - 1767
No works to identify. His only questions are about being part of the Baroque movement.
Georg Frederic Handel
1685 - 1759
Baroque
German-born (halle)
Music for the Royal Fireworks
March of the Grenadiers
The Water Music(?) Suite
Known for his oratorios
Messiah, an oratorio, first performed on the Thames in 1717, based upon various books of the Bible and includes the “Hallelujah Chorus”
Became a British subject in 1727
I was born in 1685 in Halle and spent much of my professional life in England. I
composed operas, oratorios, concerti, and many other works. Some of them played most
frequently today are Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks, and Messiah.
Identify: “Hornpipe” from Water Music Suite in F-Major; March of the Grenadiers, Water Music
Franz Joseph Haydn
Classical
1732 - 1809, born in Austria
Surprise Symphony (Symphony No. 94)
The “Clock” Symphony (No. 101)
The “Military” Symphony
The “Farewell Symphony”: the nickname for Haydn’s Symphony No. 45, designed so that one player after the other blew out his candle and left the stage as a reminder to the patron that the orchestra needed a vacation.
Completed 104 symphonies+++
Closely associated with symphonies
I wrote numerous string quartets and more than 100
symphonies, some of which have nicknames such as the “Military,” “Clock,” and, “Surprise.”
I was born in Austria in 1732 to a wheelwright. For .a while I lived in great poverty, but managed to teach myself music. My musical composition career received a great boost when I was hired by Prince Esterhazy. I met Mozart in the 8Os and we held one another in high esteem. Later Beethoven studied with me. I am remembered primarily for my numerous string quartets and more than one hundred symphonies.
At the age of six, I was sent away from home to study music and soon learned to
play the harpsichord and violin. However, it was my singing that impressed the music director at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and I served nine years there in the choir. Eventually, I learned to conduct and compose music. My compositions include numerous piano works, string quartets, and more than 100 symphonies. Perhaps my most popular work heard today is the
Surprise Symphony.
was a friend of Mozart and a teacher of Beethoven. I wrote more than 100
symphonies, numerous string quartets, and other compositions. Perhaps my most performed works today are my Surprise and Clock Symphonies.
Surprise Symphony (Symphony No. 94)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756 - 1791
Classical, Austrian
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Cosi Fan Tutte (opera)
The Marriage of Figaro
Don Giovanni
Lacrimosa from Requiem in D-Minor
Allegretto from Trio in E-Flat Major (Or “Kegelstatt Trio”)
Symphony 36, Linz
Symphony 40 (1788)
Jupiter Symphony
The Magic Flute (opera)
Most closely associated with opera, first opera produced in 1768
Completed 41 symphonies
Allegedly poisoned by Salieri due to his jealousy
Had a demanding father
Symphony 40 First Movement +, “Requiem” Mass in D minor K 626 (Lacrimosa), Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 4th movement, “Allegretto” (third movement) from Trio in E-flat Major K.498 “Kegelstatt”;
Identify the title and composer of the selection.
The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Identify the title and composer of the selection.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Movement 1: Allegro) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Identify the symphony title and composer.
Symphony 40 (in G-Minor, First Movement) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Identify the title, larger work, and composer.
“Lacrimosa” from Requiem in D-Minor (also accepted: “Requiem” or the “Requiem Mass”) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770 - 1827
Era: Bridged the gap between Classical and Romantic
Nationality: German
Main Contributions:
Transformed and expanded the scope of almost every musical genre he touched, most notably the symphony, sonata, and quartet.
His music is characterized by its emotional depth, formal innovation, and complex use of motifs.
Key Works:
Symphonies: Eroica (No. 3), Symphony No. 5, Pastoral Symphony (No. 6), Choral Symphony (No. 9).
Piano: Für Elise, Moonlight Sonata, Piano Concerto No. 5 “The Emperor”.
Opera: Fidelio.
Additional Notes:
Beethoven became increasingly deaf over the course of his life, a struggle that profoundly influenced his music, especially evident in his later works.
He dedicated Symphony No. 3 to Napoleon Bonaparte, only to change the dedication upon Napoleon declaring himself emperor, thereafter referring to it as “Eroica”.
Despite his deafness, he continued to compose, conduct, and perform, even premiering his Ninth Symphony without being able to hear it.
His influence is so pervasive that he’s even referenced in popular culture, such as in the song “Roll Over Beethoven” by Chuck Berry.
Bridged the gap: Classical / Romantic
Second Symphony (associated with WW2 and the Big Apple Band?)
Fur Elise
Eroica Symphony
Symphony No 9 (1824)
Fidelio
Moonlight Sonata
Piano Concerto No.5 “The Emperor” (1809)
Symphony Pastorale / Pastoral Symphony
Choral Symphony
Deaf?
First works published in 1783
In 1804 Beethoven
composed a work and dedicated it to a famous military leader. He later changed the
dedication when this leader declared himself emperor. (Symphony No 3, Napoleon, now referred to as ‘Eroica’)
Symphony No 9 in C Minor (The Choral Symphony)
Completed 9 symphonies
In the song “Roll Over Beethoven”, Chuck Berry says “Roll over Beethoven
Tell Tchaikovsky the news”
I was born in Bonn in 1770 and spent much of my musical career as a pianist and
composer in Vienna. Among my works frequently performed today are my numerous piano
sonatas and nine symphonies. Although I did not hear my final symphony, I gleaned from the
audience’s reaction that it was a huge success.
Fifth Symphony; Fourth movement from symphony no 9; Moonlight Sonata; Trio in D Major No. 1 Opus 70
Identify the title and composer.
Symphony No. 5 (in C-Minor) by Ludwig van Beethoven
Identify the title and composer.
Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven
Gioachino Rossini
1792 - 1868
Romantic
The Barber of Seville (1813) depicts a thunderstorm (opera): Count Almaviva was helped by the character Figaro in this opera; Dr. Bartolo was Rosina’s guardian in this comic opera
known for operas
William Tell (1829) Overture tells the story of the Swiss folk hero and marksman
William Tell Overture; Overture from The Barber of Seville
Identify the title and the composer of this musical selection.
William Tell Overture (1829) by Gioachino Rossini
Identify the title of the work and its composer.
The Barber of Seville Overture by Gioachino Rossini
(This is the second part of two.)
Identify the title of the work and its composer.
Barber of Seville Overture by Gioachino Rossini
(This is the first part of two.)
Franz Schubert
- Time Period: 1797 - 1828
- Era: Romantic
- Nationality: Austrian
-
Main Contributions:
* A key figure in the early Romantic era, renowned for his Lieder (over 600 songs, sets poetry to music).
* Made significant contributions to chamber music and symphonies.
* Wrote hundreds of compositions, both secular and sacred. -
Key Works:
- Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, “The Unfinished Symphony” (did not complete beyond two movements).
- Trout Quintet (chamber music).
Additional Notes:
- Born and lived in Vienna, producing a vast array of compositions despite his short life.
- Died tragically young at the age of 31
(A Lied, or plural Lieder is German poetry set to music.)
Identify the audio: Unfinished Symphony (Symphony No. 8)
Franz Liszt
- Era: Romantic
- Nationality: Hungarian
-
Main Contributions
- Pioneered the concept of the symphonic poem.
- Composed notable concertos and a vast array of piano pieces.
-
Key Works:
- Hungarian Rhapsody
- Les Préludes (Symphonic Poem)
-
Additional Notes:
- His works and performance style contributed significantly to the evolution of piano music in the 19th century.
Identify: Hungarian Rhapsody (no2?)
Felix Mendelssohn
1809 - 1847
Romantic
Hebrides Overture
Violin Concerto (1844)
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1842 production)
Symphony #4 in A Major: The “Italian Symphony”
Symphony #1 (1824)
Who am I? I was born in Hamburg in 1809 and made my debut as a pianist in Berlin in 1818. Seven years later the success of my A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture established me as a major composer. I later established myself as a conductor and traveled as far as the British Isles where I was inspired to compose my Scottish Symphony and Hebrides Overture.
Who am I? I was born in Hamburg in 1809. My father was a Jewish banker, but I later conve1ted to Christianity. At age nine, I made my debut as a pianist and I also studied the
violin. One of my early compositions, the Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, established me as major composer in the view of many. As my career evolved, I became a successful conductor and am credited with rediscovering the music of J.S. Bach.
composer and conductor who revived interest in J. S. Bach’s music in the 19th century
Audio: Violin Concerto
Identify the title, the name of the production, and the composer.
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn
Frédéric Chopin
1810 - 1849
Romantic
Known for his etudes
Who am I? I was born in Poland in 1810 and became a composer and pianist. I am remembered primarily for my works for solo piano, which include preludes, etudes, and
sonatas.
Lived in Paris, was in a relationship with George Sand (female), studied at Warsaw Conservatory of Music
The pop song “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” is based on Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu (in C-sharp minor, opus 66
and “Till the End of Time” is based on Polonaise in A-flat Major, (opus 53) (weird 2002 question)
Richard Wagner
1813 - 1883
Romantic
Four “Ring Cycle” operas (“Der Ring des Nibelungen”
Ring Cycle: Das Rheingold
The stereotypical horned helmet was created by a costume designer for the first staging of Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Lohengrin
Die Meistersinger (1867)
Leitmotif: the term for a recurring theme in a musical work, especially by Richard Wagner
Famous for his operas
Wrote the opera Tannhauser (and “Overture to Tannhauser)
Rhine Journey from Götterdammerung
Tristan and Isolde (1865)
Die Meistersinger (1867)
Siegfried
Designed his own opera house called the Festspielhaus because he considered all others unsuitable to stage his Ring Cycle
The Flying Dutchman is the 17th century ghost ship immortalized by Richard Wagner
Audio: Ride of the Valkries
Identify the title of the work and the composer.
“Ride of the Valkyries” by Richard Wagner
Giuseppe Verdi
1813 - 1901 Romantic
Otello
La Traviata
Rigoletto (a “masterwork”)
Aida (comissioned for the opening of the Suez Canal)
known for his operas
Name translates as “Joe Green” from Italian
Identify the title and composer.
Requiem II by Giuseppe Verdi
Identify the larger work and composer.
“Triumphal March” from Aida by Giuseppe Verdi
Johannes Brahms
1833 - 1897
Romantic
A German Requiem
Violin Concerto (careful: there’s also one by Mendelssohn)
The Academic Festival Overture
Who am I? I was born in Hamburg in 1833. My father was a musician and introduced me to a number of fine piano and composition teachers. Perhaps my greatest mentor was Robert Schumann. I became a renowned pianist, composer, and conductor. I am remembered for writing the Academic Festival Overture, four symphonies, numerous solo and chamber compositions, and the Tragic Overture. My Lullaby is arguably the most recognized cradle song around the world.
Hemiola: Rhythmic device, frequently used by Brahms, that refers to note values in a ratio of 3/2. An example is three consecutive half notes evenly distributed over two bars of three-four time.
Contemporaries with Wagner
Who am I? I was born in Hamburg in 1833 and spent much of my musical career as a pianist and composer in Vienna. I had great reverence for Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. Among my works frequently performed today are my four symphonies, two piano concerti and violin concerto.
Audio: Violin Concerto in D-Major, opus 77; Lullaby (1868);
Antonin Dvořák
1841 - 1904
Born in Bohemia
Romantic
Symphony No. 9: The “New World Symphony” (1893)
Edvard Grieg
1843 - 1907
Romantic
Norway
Peer Gynt Suite (No. 1, No. 2)
In the Hall of the Mountain King
Death of Ase
Peer Gynt is the title character who is trying to escape the mountain king and his trolls in the musical selection.
Audio: In the Hall of the Mountain King
Identify the larger work and composer.
Peer Gynt Suite (No. 1) by Edvard Grieg
(This portion is called “Morning Mood.”)
Identify the title, larger work, and composer.
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” from the Peer Gynt Suite (No. 1) by Edvard Grieg
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
1840 - 1893
Romantic
Swan Lake (1895 ballet premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia)
The Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky uses a celesta, a percussion instrument that is essentially a glockenspiel with a keyboard in Swan Lake’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
mechanism.
Sleeping Beauty Waltz from Sleeping Beauty
The 1812 Overture
Cappricio Italien
Symphony Pathetique
Wrote six numbered symphonies
Known for his ballets
Waltz of the Flowers
Who am I? I was born in Votkinsk in Russia in 1840. I was groomed for a career in the civil service, but followed my passion for music by studying at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Some of my most performed works today are my symphonies; my ballets The Nutcracker and Sleeping
Beauty; and the 1812 Overture.
Audio: 1812 Overture, Symphony No. 6: “Pathetique”, Serenade for Strings
Identify the title and composer.
Waltz of the Flowers by Piotr Tchaikovsky
Gustav Holst
1874 - 1934
born in England
Late Romantic / Modern
The Planets
Audio: Mars
George Gershwin
1898 - 1937
Modern
American
Rhapsody in Blue (1923)
An American in Paris
Porgy and Bess (opera), teamed up with his brother who was the lyricist
Audio: An American in Paris; Rhapsody in Blue
