People

Question 1

Franz Schubert

Answer 1

Transitional composer like Beethoven. Often held “Schubertiads” social gatherings to play music and debate over drinks. Most of his work was not published during his lifetime

Question 2

Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn

Answer 2

Transitional composer, Jewish family converted to Christianity, credited with re-discovery of Bach’s music, traveled to England, Scotland, and Italy and wrote symphonies based on travels. Fanny not encouraged to follow music as a career. Her pieces were published under Felix’s name

Question 3

Paganini

Answer 3

rumor that he sold his soul to the devil

Most talented performer of the era. Developed triple stop and other violin techniques. Especially successful with women

Question 4

Robert Schumann

Answer 4

Talented manic-depressed performer whom injured his hand and chose to begin composing. Not well known during his lifetime.

Question 5

Clara Schumann

Answer 5

performed often and supported the family, good friends with the Brahms

Question 6

Chopin

Answer 6

“poet of the piano,” born in Poland and buried with Polish soil, relationship with female author George Sand

Question 7

Liszt

Answer 7

“Paganini of the Piano,” invented thematic transformations

Question 8

Berlioz

Answer 8

1st major French Romantic Composer, family wanted him to become a doctor, used Idee fixe in Symphonie fansastique.

Question 9

Brahms

Answer 9

good friends with the Schumanns, wrote requiem for Robert Schumann and his mother. Considered “old school,” Tchaikovsky referred to him as “giftless”

Question 10

Tchaikovsky

Answer 10

most famous of all Russian Romantic Composers. Born in small village in Russia, destined for social work. Homosexual tendencies

Question 11

Smetana

Answer 11

Not very important composer from Czech Republic. The Moldau

Question 12

Gounod

Answer 12

Only remembered for his version of Ave Maria based on Bach’s C Major prelude.

Question 13

Dvorak (inc. Music in America article)

Answer 13

Director of National conservatory of Music in NYC, advocated that American composers write with a more “nationalistic” mindset

Question 14

Romantic Opera: Georges Bizet

Answer 14

Opera composer whom composed romantic opera: serious drama with light comedic tones.

Question 15

Romantic Opera: French Grand Opera

Answer 15

Epic opera that lasted for more than 4 hours. Featured ballet, large crowd (chorus) scenes.

Question 16

Romantic Opera: Meyerbeer

Answer 16

Opera composer who composed Les Huguenots, a Grand Opera

Question 17

Romantic Opera: Opera Lyrique

Answer 17

Dramatic opera presented in a lighter way.

Question 18

Romantic Opera: Opera Bouffe

Answer 18

Pure comic opera.

Question 19

Romantic Opera: C.M. von Weber

Answer 19

Austrian/German opera composer.

Question 20

Romantic Opera: Die Fldedermaus

Answer 20

Lighter opera composed by J. Strauss

Question 21

Romantic Opera: Rossini

Answer 21

Comic and dramatic opera writer from Italy.

Question 22

Romantic Opera: Donizetti

Answer 22

another romanic opera composer from Italy.

Question 23

Romantic Opera: Russian Opera

Answer 23

Full of russian history and folk lore. Rarely fit a compositional style.

Question 24

Verdi

Answer 24

Dramatic opera composer from Italy. Did not write comedy. One of the most famous opera composers of all time, letter on p. 205

Question 25

Wagner

Answer 25

German composer. Used letimotiv and music drama, not well-liked, Ring Cycle, theatre in Bayreuth

Question 26

Wagner: Leitmotiv

Answer 26

Systematic use of recurring thematic content.

Question 27

Wagner: Music Drama

Answer 27

Where all of the elements of the artistic world would be unified into one fully synthesized work of art.

Question 28

Wagner: Bayreuth

Answer 28

Opera house constructed especially for Wagner in Bayreuth.

Question 29

Wagner: The Ring Cycle

Answer 29

Episodal 18hour opera composed by Wagner and performed annually at Wagner’s Opera house in Bayreuth.

Question 30

Debussy

Answer 30

Impressionist, Prelude to the afternoon of a Faun. Introduced elements of Oriental music into the western world.

Question 31

Ravel

Answer 31

“Post-Impressionist” French composer inspired by Debussy, arranged pieces for orchestra from other composers.

Question 32

Puccini

Answer 32

Italy’s most favored opera Composer after Verdi. Wrote more realistic operas

Question 33

Mahler

Answer 33

Jewish composer from Bohemia. Conducted in NYC, Vienna and Budapest, bridge to 20th century, public conversion to Catholicism to avoid prosecution and secure post as Director of the Vienna State Opera.

Question 34

Mahler: Conducted in New York

Answer 34

Conducted the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic.

Question 35

Bruckner

Answer 35

Compositions influenced by Bach, Wagner and Palestrina. Did not perfect composition skills until he was older.

Question 36

Sibelius

Answer 36

Finland’s most famous composer. Very nationalistic. Learned in violin.

Question 37

Strauss

Answer 37

Composer compared often with Mahler. Yet Strauss wrote with more of a programmatic sense. “Also sprach Zarathrustra”

Question 38

Rachmaninov

Answer 38

excellent pianist, Russian. Much confusion on his name.

Question 39

Elgar

Answer 39

British Composer that wrote “Pomp and Circumstance” graduation song

Question 40

Holst

Answer 40

Important composer for wind band. Composed “The Planets,” which inspired the composer for the Star Wars soundtrack.