A Musical Quiz 1. Given a Composer's name, follow it with the name of one of his compositions: - Chopin's "Barcarolle" in F sharp
Major. 2. Who composed The Cat Fugue? Domenico Scarlatti. Was said to be inspired by the Composer's cat, jumping on the keys. 3. Who wrote the words of the song "Trees"? Alfred Joyce Kilmer. There is a memorial to this man who wrote this touching song lyric in Montana, USA. Unfortunately, the Forestry Commissioners found it necessary to cut down the trees around the monument, so that passers by could read it. 4. A gold disc was awarded in 1961 to a singer and his accompanist for a record they made in 1927. What was its title? Dr George Thalben-Ball. Master Ernest Lush. "O forty winks, forty winks of a dove." 5. The Composer of "O Gladsome Light" gave an organ Recital almost every Monday for fifty years. Who was he? Dr Harold Darke. The Music Publisher's Catalogue reads: - "O Gladsome Light" - Darke. On the same List, which gave the price: - "And the Lord Gave" - Mendelssohn - Fourpence. 6. Who once stood on the piano to play the violin at a concert? Paganini. At least he didn't stand on the violin to play the piano. 7. What does "Nessun Dorma" mean? It comes from "Turandot" and means "None shall Sleep". When it is sung loudly, as most English Tenors sing it, you know why! 8. Who composed the Opera, "Lucrezia Borgia"? Donizetti. Or some poison or poisons unknown. 9. In the Opera "Ariadne and Bluebeard" by Paul Dukas, the heroine is given seven keys, but expressly forbidden to use the seventh. Why? The seventh key was to the Executives' Washroom - she flushed, and retired in confusion. 10. What celebrated English Soprano changed her name when in France, so that Frenchmen would pronounce it correctly? Florrie Forde. Changed it to Florrie Citröen. 11. What are Keeners? Keening, is the act of singing or wailing a Lamentation, a 'Keen' being an Irish Funeral song. Not cleaners who got the L out of it, or 'Keeners', people who are keen. 12. What is the popular title for the principal theme of Bach's Cantata No. 208? Sheep May Safely Graze. Driving through a picturesque village one day, a lady from Sussex heard the sound of this tune being played in the village Church. It was the Butcher's Funeral. 13. What is a two-part Invention? A short piece for two parts, or voices. Not Shakespeare's "Henry the Fourth". 14. Who composed the "R.A.F. March Past"? Sir Walford Davies. (If you drop your Rifle this time - faint!) 15. Why did Wagner have the car number plate 9W? Because so many people asked him, "Do you spell your name mit a 'V'?" compiled by Rosemary Goulding |
page last updated 1 OCTOBER 2000 |