MUS Exam 3

Which of the following is rarely seen in realistic opera? a. crime b. poverty c. industrial exploitation d. physical abuse e. a happy ending

. a happy ending

Bizet spent his short life entirely in Paris, and his masterpiece, now probably the world's most popular opera, was a flop because audiences thought the subject matter too degrading; ninety days after the premiere he suffered a fatal heart attack. True False

True

One of the hallmarks of the Romantic era was a lively interest in literature, and especially poetry. Composers believed that music could intensify poetic sentiments by expressing things that words alone could not. True False

True

Robert Schumann's song, "Du Ring an meinem Finger," is written in rondo form. a. true. b. false

True

Which artist or author did not reflect the traits of realism in their work? a. Jane Austen b. Charles Dickens c. J. -F. Millet d. Vincent van Gogh

a. Jane Austen

Which statement about Puccini's La bohème is wrong? a. Puccini adapted Wagner's principles of "Gesamtkunstwerk" in writing this opera b. it is Puccini's most famous opera c. there is not much character development in the opera, instead the focus is on the glorious sound of the human voice d. the realism of the opera rests in the setting of the drama and its characters e. there is a stark contrast between the dreary stage setting and the transcendental beauty of the music

a. Puccini adapted Wagner's principles of "Gesamtkunstwerk" in writing this opera

Which of the following definitions best suits the meaning of "song cycle"? a. a collection of several songs united by a common textual theme or literary idea b. the process used in transmission of folk songs and other traditional music in which the material is passed from one generation to the next by singing, or playing, and hearing, without musical notation c. a composition for choir or larger chorus setting a religious, devotional, or solemn text; often sung "a cappella" d. a dramatic work in which the actors sing some or all of their parts e. all of the above

a. a collection of several songs united by a common textual theme or literary idea

Which definition best suits "cabaletta"? a. a fast, concluding aria; a useful mechanism to get the principals off the stage b. an aria in two sections, with an obligatory return to and repeat of the first; hence an aria in ternary (ABA) form c. an Afro-Cuban dance-song that came to prominence in the nineteenth century, marked by a repeating bass and a syncopated ostinato rhythm d. an opera on a light, often domestic subject, with tuneful melodies, comic situations, and a happy ending e. the term for any slow aria sung by a soprano during her death scene

a. a fast, concluding aria; a useful mechanism to get the principals off the stage

Which statement regarding the cabaletta is inaccurate? a. a form only used for ensemble scenes (duets, trios, chorus) b. the final section of the scena c. it permitted the singers to rush off the stage d. the tempo is more rapid than the preceding section

a. a form only used for ensemble scenes (duets, trios, chorus)

What is flamenco? a. a genre of Spanish song and dance, infused with gypsy elements b. an Afro-Cuban dance-song that came to prominence in the nineteenth century, marked by a repeating bass and a repeating, syncopated rhythm c. a piece of early jazz in which a distinctive rhythm, with syncopation, is established in the opening bars d. a genre of popular urban song and dance originating in Cuba and Argentina in the nineteenth century; it is marked by a duple meter with syncopation after the first beat and a slow, sensuous style e. a large pink bird with long legs and webbed feet

a. a genre of Spanish song and dance, infused with gypsy elements

What is an art song? a. a song for solo voice and piano with high artistic aspirations b. the concluding fast aria of any two- or three-section operatic scene c. the repeat of a piece demanded by an appreciative audience d. a song originating from an ethnic group and passed from generation to generation by oral tradition e. a popular genre of secular vocal music that originated in Italy in which usually four or five voices sing love poems

a. a song for solo voice and piano with high artistic aspirations

What is a "virtuoso"? a. an instrumentalist or singer possessing extraordinary technical facility b. the right-most pedal on the piano that when pressed allows all the strings to vibrate c. an early form of the tuba d. a technique of sliding up or down the scale very rapidly e. a slow, lyrical piece, or movement within a larger work

a. an instrumentalist or singer possessing extraordinary technical facility

Which statement about Brahms is incorrect? a. because a wealthy, music-loving widow granted him a steady income, he was able to travel extensively in Europe and America b. Robert Schumann wrote an article hailing the twenty-year old composer as heir to the tradition of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven c. disappointed in his attempt to gain an official musical position in his native city of Hamburg, he moved to Vienna, where he lived modestly as a performer and conductor d. after Robert Schumann was confined to a mental institution, he became Clara's confidant, and while his friendship and respect deepened into love, their relationship did not result in marriage e. his fame as a composer increased in 1868 with performances of his German Requiem

a. because a wealthy, music-loving widow granted him a steady income, he was able to travel extensively in Europe and America

Which statement does NOT apply to Mahler? a. born into a wealthy family in Berlin, Germany, his parents hired an orchestra for him to conduct weekly concerts in their home b. at the age of fifteen he was admitted as a student in the Vienna Conservatory, where he studied composition and conducting c. his conducting career began in provincial towns, but he gradually worked in larger and more important musical centers; he was eventually named the director of the Vienna Court Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic d. he was a tyrannical conductor, insisting that the orchestra do exactly as he prescribed e. he left Vienna to conduct the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic

a. born into a wealthy family in Berlin, Germany, his parents hired an orchestra for him to conduct weekly concerts in their home

Robert Schumann's Carnaval is a set of ________ for piano. a. character pieces b. Lieder c. nocturnes d. mazurkas e. etudes

a. character pieces

Identify the incorrect statement regarding Schubert's career. a. during his early adult years he traveled around Germany and Austria as a touring virtuoso b. he wrote music during the morning hours, afternoons were spent discussing literature and politics in cafes, and during the evening he played his songs and dances for friends c. he lived a Bohemian life and was assisted by the generosity of his friends, with whom he lodged when he was broke d. he earned a small income from the sale of a few songs, but it was not enough to provide for his full support e. most of his best songs were performed for his friends at small informal concerts given in the parlors of their middle-class homes

a. during his early adult years he traveled around Germany and Austria as a touring virtuoso

Which statement does NOT apply to Chopin's career in Paris? a. he heard Niccolò Paganini while in Paris and was so impressed that he vowed to transfer the great violinist's virtuosic technique to the keyboard b. he found professional success soon after he moved to Paris c. he was accepted into the social circle of the rich and powerful d. he played at private musical evenings (musicales) in the homes of the aristocracy e. he gave lessons for an exorbitant fee that only the wealthy could afford

a. he heard Niccolò Paganini while in Paris and was so impressed that he vowed to transfer the great violinist's virtuosic technique to the keyboard

Which statement about Berlioz's family background and education is wrong? a. he met his future wife while studying piano with her father b. he was educated mainly in the sciences and ancient Roman literature c. his early musical training was negligible with barely any training in theory and counterpoint, and his exposure to works by great composers was virtually non-existent d. he was sent to study medicine in Paris at the age of seventeen e. he was born near Grenoble, France

a. he met his future wife while studying piano with her father

What does the sustaining pedal do on the piano? a. it allows the strings to vibrate freely b. it reduces the volume level of the piano c. it allows the tone to be played with vibrato d. it strikes the piano strings with the wood of the hammers rather than the portion covered with felt e. only a and c

a. it allows the strings to vibrate freely

Identify the incorrect statement about Berlioz's "idée fixe." a. it is always played by the oboe b. it is associated with "the beloved" c. it serves as a unifying theme in the Symphonie fantastique d. its character is altered in each movement of the program symphony e. the term literally means "fixed idea

a. it is always played by the oboe

Which of the following typically did NOT convey national color in music? a. major and minor scales b. folksongs and dance rhythms c. local instrumental sounds d. opera librettos e. the subject of program music

a. major and minor scales

In which manner did Romantic composers typically use rhythm? a. tempo is cut loose from the restraints of a regular beat and can fluctuate greatly (tempo rubato) b. exciting, driving, energized rhythms propel music forward with vigor; "walking" bass creates feeling of rhythmic regularity c. rhythm is usually free and flexible with irregular accents, making it difficult to determine the meter; rhythmic ostinatos give a feeling of stasis rather than movement d. it departs from a regular, driving pattern to become more stop-and-go, and there is greater rhythmic variety within a single movement e. rhythms are vigorous and energetic; conflicting simultaneous meters (polymeters) and rhythms (polyrhythms) make for temporal complexity

a. tempo is cut loose from the restraints of a regular beat and can fluctuate greatly (tempo rubato)

Which statement does NOT describe Mahler's music? a. while he could write beautiful Romantic melodies, he emphasized contrapuntal development of themes b. his works employ massive forces and a greatly extended sense of time c. he includes elements of folk dances, popular songs, marches, bugle calls, and even Gregorian chant in his symphonies d. his compositions are collages of sound on the grandest scale e. as a mature composer, he only wrote symphonies and orchestral songs

a. while he could write beautiful Romantic melodies, he emphasized contrapuntal development of themes

What is a pentatonic scale? a. a scale that has five possible tonic notes b. a five-note scale c. a scale the is perfectly suited to the fingering patterns of woodwind instruments d. a scale commonly associated with Russian art music e. all of the above

b. a five-note scale

Identify the correct definition of "nocturne." a. a fast dance of Polish origins in triple meter with an accent on the second beat b. a slow, introspective type of music, usually for piano, with rich harmonies and poignant dissonances that convey the mysteries of the night c. a short, one-movement composition designed to improve a specific aspect of a performer's technique d. a light musical interlude intended to separate and thus break the mood of two more serious surrounding movements e. a slow, lyrical piece, or movement within a larger instrumental work, much favored by composers of the Romantic period

b. a slow, introspective type of music, usually for piano, with rich harmonies and poignant dissonances that convey the mysteries of the night

What is "Lisztomania"? a. the temporary loss of sanity that often occurs to concert artists during a performance b. a term describing the sensational reaction of audiences to Liszt and his concerts c. a male hairstyle, based on that favored by Liszt, that was the rage throughout Europe in the1830s d. a derisive term used by French socialites to describe the pianist's liaisons with married women e. the term for pianists who consistently break strings, hammers, and keys when they play a concert

b. a term describing the sensational reaction of audiences to Liszt and his concerts

Identify the statement about Liszt's family background and musical education that is wrong. a. although born in Hungary, his family soon moved to Vienna to cultivate his musical gifts b. after receiving composition lessons from Antonio Salieri, he was soon writing his own works at an astonishing rate c. his entire family moved to Paris so he could begin a career as a child prodigy, but shortly thereafter his father died suddenly d. he practiced four to five hours every day to improve his keyboard technique, and when he returned to the concert stage he overwhelmed the audience e. he heard the great violinist Niccolò Paganini and was so impressed that he vowed to transfer Paganini's virtuosic technique to the keyboard

b. after receiving composition lessons from Antonio Salieri, he was soon writing his own works at an astonishing rate

What is an "ophicleide"? a. an alto oboe, pitched at the interval a fifth below the oboe, much favored by composers of the Romantic era b. an early form of the tuba c. a long, serpentine shaped instrument that is similar to the bassoon, but played with a cup-shaped mouthpiece rather than a double reed d. a brass instrument that looks like a short trumpet; it has a more mellow tone than the trumpet and is most often used in military bands e. a two-string fiddle common in folk music

b. an early form of the tuba

Which statement does NOT apply to the career of Clara Schumann? a. needing money to pay the bills after her husband's death, she resumed her career as a touring piano virtuoso b. as a result of her ability as a composer and virtuoso, a wealthy industrialist provided her with an ample yearly stipend, but under the condition that they never meet c. she never composed after her husband's death d. her compositional activity became less frequent as her children became more numerous e. at her marriage she surpassed her husband in international fame, but put aside her career into be a wife and mother

b. as a result of her ability as a composer and virtuoso, a wealthy industrialist provided her with an ample yearly stipend, but under the condition that they never meet

How is "verismo" different from "realistic opera"? a. realistic opera uses piano accompaniment while verismo uses orchestral accompaniment b. aside from the term, there is no difference c. realistic opera uses spoken dialogue while verismo uses recitative d. unlike realistic opera, verismo uses sentimental and idealistic themes e. realistic opera uses heroic characters while verismo features characters from the lower classes

b. aside from the term, there is no difference

Why did composers suddenly show a great interest in writing art songs during the nineteenth century? a. because the piano was the perfect accompanying instrument b. because great authors were writing poetry at a frenzied pace c. because it was something middle-class families were willing to buy d. because getting an orchestra to play a new composition was extraordinarily difficult e. because they could be written quickly and composers could get paid sooner

b. because great authors were writing poetry at a frenzied pace

In ________ the orchestra merely provides a simple harmonic support, oftentimes like a giant guitar, for the soaring lines of the voice. a. cabaletta b. bel canto opera c. scena d. opera seria e. verismo

b. bel canto opera

Identify the incorrect statement about Verdi's La traviata. a. Verdi based the libretto on a play written by Alexandre Dumas, the son of the famous author b. in spite of all the difficulties that are thrown in their path, the lovers-Violetta and Alfredo-overcome all obstacles and live happily ever after c. the title literally means "The Woman Gone Astray" d. the character of Violetta was based on the life of a real person, Marie Duplessis e. Verdi composed the work in Paris in 1853

b. in spite of all the difficulties that are thrown in their path, the lovers-Violetta and Alfredo-overcome all obstacles and live happily ever after

Identify the correct definition of "absolute music." a. music naturally produced by instruments when strings are bowed or plucked, a tube has air passed through it, or percussion instruments are struck b. instrumental music free of a text or any pre-existing program c. a one-movement orchestral work that originated in Italy in the seventeenth century d. a piece of instrumental music, usually for symphony orchestra, that seeks to recreate in sound the events and emotions portrayed in some extra-musical source e. music that possesses certain qualities of expression, proportion, and balance that are timeless in their appeal

b. instrumental music free of a text or any pre-existing program

The phrase that best describes the general shape of melody during the Romantic period is: a. mainly stepwise motion within a moderately narrow range; it is still mainly diatonic, but includes some intense chromaticism b. long, singable lines are flexible and increasingly irregular in shape; broad streams of sound move towards powerful climaxes c. it grows longer, more expansive, and more asymmetrical than in previous style periods; idiomatic instrumental style predominates d. short, balanced phrases create tuneful melodies; melody more influenced by vocal than instrumental style; frequent cadences produce light, airy feeling e. wide-ranging, disjunct lines, often chromatic and dissonant; angularity accentuated by use of octave displacement

b. long, singable lines are flexible and increasingly irregular in shape; broad streams of sound move towards powerful climaxes

If a single feeling or sentiment pervaded the Romantic era, it was ________. a. horror b. love c. satisfaction d. tranquility e. greed

b. love

What is the name of the left-most pedal on the piano that, when depressed, reduces the dynamic level of the instrument? a. sustaining pedal b. soft pedal c. back pedal d. damper pedal e. diminuendo pedal

b. soft pedal

Why did orchestras begin requiring a conductor during the early years of the nineteenth century? a. there was no longer a basso continuo player who could make the appropriate gestures b. someone was needed to coordinate the efforts of the enlarged ensemble c. orchestras needed a figurehead to enable fundraising d. they needed someone to signal the audience when it was appropriate to applaud e. because it looked more dramatic

b. someone was needed to coordinate the efforts of the enlarged ensemble

Which form is often used for setting hymns and pop songs? a. song form b. strophic form c. through-composed form d. modified strophic form e. da capo form

b. strophic form

What was one reason why Liszt placed the piano parallel to the line of the stage in his recitals? a. to gauge the reaction of the audience b. to show off his handsome profile c. to get more light on to his music d. because a gypsy fortune teller promised that he would attain international success if he did so e. all of the above

b. to show off his handsome profile

Identify the incorrect statement about Carmen. a. many of the famous arias are based on the popular songs, folksongs, and flamenco melodies of Spain b. its premiere in Paris was a failure because many thought the subject matter too degrading c. Bizet based his famous Habanera on a well-known tango melody d. the opera is set in Spain, but sung in French e. the chromatic melody conveys the ambiguous and evasive traits of Carmen's personality

c. Bizet based his famous Habanera on a well-known tango melody

Which composer is notable for resisting the allure of program music? a. Robert Schumann b. Berlioz c. Brahms d. Mendelssohn e. all of the above

c. Brahms

In which country did the habanera originate? (Clue: The name is similar to that of the country's capital city.) a. The Netherlands b. Madagascar c. Cuba d. Argentina e. Morocco

c. Cuba

Which instrument was especially favored during this period because of its dark, rich tone and associations with the hunt-and by extension, nature? a. ophicleide b. cello c. French horn d. harp e. contrabassoon

c. French horn

Which country was one of the first to develop its own national style of art music that was distinct from the European tradition? a. Spain b. Bohemia c. Russia d. Yugoslavia e. Poland

c. Russia

What is the cornet? a. the crown given to winners of the "Prix de Rome" in musical composition b. an alto oboe, pitched at the interval a fifth below the oboe, much favored by composers of the Romantic era c. a brass instrument with valves, most often used in military bands d. an early form of the tuba e. a long, serpentine shaped instrument that is similar to the bassoon, but played with a cup-shaped mouthpiece rather than a double reed

c. a brass instrument with valves, most often used in military bands

Identify the statement that does NOT apply to Musorgsky. a. he trained for a career as a military officer, but after serving for four years he resigned his military commission b. he worked as a civil servant, a position that allowed more free time to indulge his desire to compose music c. a freelance violist and organist, he earned money by playing in dance bands and opera orchestras d. his final years were ravaged by alcoholism, depression, and poverty e. many of his compositions were unfinished when he died

c. a freelance violist and organist, he earned money by playing in dance bands and opera orchestras

What is meant by "diminution"? a. a reduction in the volume of sound b. a reduction in the number of strings playing the melody c. a reduction, usually by half, of all the rhythmic durations in a melody d. a reduction of the tempo e. all of the above

c. a reduction, usually by half, of all the rhythmic durations in a melody

The correct definition for "scena" is: a. a light, whimsical aria b. an opera with spoken dialogue and numerous dances that combines comedy and romance in equal measure c. a scenic plan in Italian opera involving a succession of separate elements such as a slow aria, a recitative, and a fast concluding aria d. the concluding fast aria of any two- or three-section operatic scene; a useful mechanism to get the principals off the stage e. the text of an opera

c. a scenic plan in Italian opera involving a succession of separate elements such as a slow aria, a recitative, and a fast concluding aria

An "etude" is __ a. a fast dance of Polish origins in triple meter with an accent on the second beat b. a slow, lyrical piece, or movement within a larger instrumental work, much favored by composers of the Romantic period c. a short, one-movement composition designed to improve a specific aspect of a performer's technique d. a slow, introspective type of music, usually for piano, with rich harmonies and poignant dissonances that convey the mysteries of the night e. a slow, elegant dance in triple meter with a strong accent on the second beat

c. a short, one-movement composition designed to improve a specific aspect of a performer's technique

What is a "Schubertiad"? a. a nineteenth-century fan club b. the performance of a song cycle composed by Schubert c. a social gathering for music and poetry that featured Schubert's songs and piano music d. an ode composed in honor of Schubert and lamenting his untimely death e. any composer who lives a bohemian life-style and is financially dependent upon the kindness of his friends

c. a social gathering for music and poetry that featured Schubert's songs and piano music

What type of music did Johannes Brahms compose? a. orchestral Lieder b. symphonic poems c. absolute music d. program symphonies e. music dramas

c. absolute music

Which statement about Berlioz is NOT accurate? a. known for his iconoclastic musical style, he rarely used standard forms b. his music was not appreciated in his native country, so he traveled throughout Europe conducting his compositions c. as a young man he spent six years traveling across Europe, where he met the great artists and authors of his day d. he was one of the most original figures in Western music e. literature was a powerful force in his life and art

c. as a young man he spent six years traveling across Europe where he met the great artists and authors of his day

The traditions of ________ orchestral music dominated instrumental composition during the nineteenth century. a. English b. French c. Swiss d. German e. Italian

d. German

Who was the most original composer of the Russian Five? a. Cui b. Borodin c. Balakirev d. Musorgsky e. Rimsky-Korsakov

d. Musorgsky

Which Italian composer is best known for writing comic operas? a. Bizet b. Verdi c. Puccini d. Rossini e. Donizetti

d. Rossini

What is "strophic form"? a. a song originating from an ethnic group and passed from generation to generation through oral transmission b. a popular song form in which the middle stanza is substantially altered, resulting in an ABA' pattern c. music that exhibits no obvious repetitions or overt musical form from beginning to end d. a form in which the music is repeated anew for each successive stanza e. the repetitive form is modified briefly to accommodate a particularly expressive word or phrase in the text

d. a form in which the music is repeated anew for each successive stanza

What is the correct definition of the "symphonic (tone) poem"? a. music inserted between the acts or during important scenes of a play to add an extra dimension to the drama b. a one-movement work, usually in sonata-allegro form, that encapsulates in music the essential dramatic events of an opera or play; many are performed today at concerts without the opera or play c. instrumental music free of a text or any pre-existing program d. a one-movement work for orchestra that gives musical expression to the emotions and events associated with a story, play, political event, or personal experience e. a light musical interlude intended to separate and thus break the mood of two more serious, surrounding movements or scenes

d. a one-movement work for orchestra that gives musical expression to the emotions and events associated with a story, play, political event, or personal experience

What is program music? a. music inserted between the acts or during important scenes of a play to add an extra dimension to the drama b. instrumental music free of a text or any non-musical idea c. a slow, lyrical piece, or movement within a larger instrumental work, much favored by Romantic period composers d. a piece of instrumental music, usually for symphony orchestra, that seeks to recreate in sound the events and emotions portrayed in some extra-musical source: a story, a play, an historical event, etc. e. a broad category of music designed to please a large section of the general public; sometimes used in contradistinction to more "serious" or more "learned" classical music

d. a piece of instrumental music, usually for symphony orchestra, that seeks to recreate in sound the events and emotions portrayed in some extra-musical source: a story, a play, an historical event, etc

Identify the phrase that does NOT apply to the biography of Brahms? a. he was provided with the best available training in piano and music theory, and studied the music of Bach and Beethoven b. he earned money at night by playing on out-of-tune pianos in "stimulation bars" on the Hamburg waterfront c. born in Hamburg, Germany, the composer's formal education never went beyond primary school d. because he was less than five feet tall and his poor eyesight required that he wear glasses, he was excused from military service e. as a boy he practiced daily in the showrooms of local piano stores in order to use good instruments

d. because he was less than five feet tall and his poor eyesight required that he wear glasses, he was excused from military service

What was the average size of the orchestra during the Romantic period? a. about 25 b. roughly 45-50 c. usually around 60 d. close to 100 e. musician's unions required a minimum of 467

d. close to 100

Identify the correct definition of "modified strophic form." a. a popular song form in which the middle stanza is substantially altered, resulting in an ABA' pattern b. a form in which the music is repeated anew for each successive stanza c. the repetition of the melody at successively higher or lower degrees of the scale d. music that exhibits no obvious repetitions or overt musical form from beginning to end e. the repetitive form is modified briefly to accommodate a particularly expressive word or phrase in the text

e. the repetitive form is modified briefly to accommodate a particularly expressive word or phrase in the text

From the listener's perspective, the most striking aspect of Romantic music is the dense polyphony and rhythmic intricacy of the music. True False

false

Which instrument is a low oboe? a. English horn b. cornet c. ophicleide d. col legno e. metronome

a. English horn

In the eighteenth century, ballet was seen as too frivolous a spectacle to be in the same program as an opera seria. True False

False

Brahms is considered the last in the line of great German symphony composers. True False

False

Which answer accurately describes harmony during this period? a. it is highly dissonant; sometimes two conflicting, but equal, tonal centers sound simultaneously (polytonality); sometimes there is no audible tonal center (atonality) b. the basso continuo plays stable, diatonic chords; clearly defined chord progressions begin to develop; tonality reduced to major and minor keys c. greater use of chromaticism makes the harmony richer and more colorful; sudden shifts to remote chords for expressive purposes; more dissonance to convey feelings of anxiety and longing d. the triad is extended to form seventh and ninth chords, and these chords frequently move in parallel motion e. the rate at which chords change (harmonic rhythm) varies dramatically, creating a dynamic flux and flow; simple chordal harmonies made more active by "Alberti" bass

c. greater use of chromaticism makes the harmony richer and more colorful; sudden shifts to remote chords for expressive purposes; more dissonance to convey feelings of anxiety and longing

Identify the biographical statement about Verdi that is wrong. a. he was rejected for admission to the Conservatory of Music in Milan because they thought he was old and lacking in keyboard skills b. he based his final two operas on Shakespearean dramas, and his last opera was composed when he was almost eighty years old c. his last opera was unfinished when he died from throat cancer d. in his later years he became wealthy and retired to his country estate; he composed only when the subject was personally interesting or the monetary remuneration was of staggering proportions e. he became a leader in the movement for Italian independence and his name served as a political slogan

c. his last opera was unfinished when he died from throat cancer

Which statement does NOT apply to Liszt? a. Marie d'Agoult, a countess who was married to a French aristocrat, left her husband and entered into a liaison with Liszt b. his large hands enabled unique feats of virtuosity that are not easy to duplicate c. his life epitomized the Romantic artist: while in Italy he consorted with a gang of bandits, twice tried to commit suicide, and impetuously entered into a disastrous marriage d. deciding to abandon the transient life of a virtuoso for domestic security, he and his mistress eloped to Switzerland and then to Italy, where they lived for four years and had three children e. he could play a melody in octaves when others could only play the single notes of the line, and was able to execute passages in impressive-sounding tenths

c. his life epitomized the Romantic artist: while in Italy he consorted with a gang of bandits, twice tried to commit suicide, and impetuously entered into a disastrous marriage

Identify the statement that does NOT apply to Robert Schumann. a. determined to become a piano virtuoso, he abandoned his law studies and moved to Leipzig to study music b. he tended to compose in streaks: writing nearly 125 Lieder in 1840, for example c. his work as a conductor for the Gewandhaus orchestra in Leipzig was highly regarded d. his creative output diminished during the last few years of his life e. when his aspirations to be a performing artist were shattered, he directed his creative energies to musical composition and criticism

c. his work as a conductor for the Gewandhaus orchestra in Leipzig was highly regarded

Identify the correct description of "absolute music." a. music inserted between the acts or during important scenes of a play to add an extra dimension to the drama b. a one-movement work, usually in sonata-allegro form, that encapsulates in music the essential dramatic events of an opera or play; many are performed today at concerts without the opera or play c. instrumental music free of a text or any pre-existing program d. music to be inserted between the acts or during important scenes of a play to add an extra dimension to the drama e. a broad category of music designed to please a large section of the general public; sometimes used in contradistinction to more "serious" or more "learned" classical music

c. instrumental music free of a text or any pre-existing program

Which attitude or idea was NOT important during the Romantic era? a. self-expression b. the endless pursuit of love c. objective evaluation d. the desire for liberty e. wide-ranging emotions, from despair to exaltation

c. objective evaluation

What is a "Lied"? a. an elaborate lyrical song for solo voice b. a brief, distinctive unit of music designed to represent a character, object, or idea c. the German genre of art song for voice and piano accompaniment, which originated around 1800 d. an art form that involves music, poetry, drama, and scenic design e. a song originating from an ethnic group and passed from generation to generation through oral transmission

c. the German genre of art song for voice and piano accompaniment, which originated around 1800

Which composition is the first important realistic opera? a. Wagner, Tristan und Isolde b. Leoncavallo, Pagliacci c. Puccini, Tosca d. Bizet, Carmen e. Verdi, La traviata

d. Bizet, Carmen

Which statement about Puccini is wrong? a. after graduating from the Milan Conservatory, he lived in poverty for a decade while struggling to develop a distinctive operatic style b. generations of his family had been composers and musicians: his father and grandfather had composed operas, and earlier ancestors composed religious music for the local cathedral c. after he became famous and wealthy, he grew a bit complacent, composing less frequently d. during the middle years of his career he traveled throughout Europe, residing in Paris whenever he was not supervising a production of one of his operas e. he achieved his first triumph at the age of thirty-five and further successes followed in rapid succession

d. during the middle years of his career he traveled throughout Europe, residing in Paris whenever he was not supervising a production of one of his operas

All of the statements apply to Schubert with the exception of: a. as a child, Schubert possessed an obvious musical talent; his father taught him the violin, and an older brother gave him piano lessons b. his sizeable oeuvre went largely unperformed during his lifetime c. born in Vienna, his father was a schoolteacher d. his father planned that his son would become a physician e. he was admitted at age 11 as a choirboy in the emperor's chapel

d. his father planned that his son would become a physician

Which statement regarding Schubert is false? a. his reputation rests upon his more than six hundred Lieder b. he composed some of his greatest works during the last six years of his life, after he had contracted syphilis c. his Lieder are known for their accompaniments in which the piano evokes poetic imagery in graphic detail d. his tone poem, the "Unfinished," became a model for other Romantic period orchestral compositions e. he created the song cycle

d. his tone poem, the "Unfinished," became a model for other Romantic period orchestral compositions

Identify the correct definition of "through-composed." a. a popular song form in which the middle stanza is substantially altered, resulting in an ABA' pattern b. a form in which the music is repeated anew for each successive stanza c. the repetition of the melody at successively higher or lower degrees of the scale d. music that exhibits no obvious repetitions or overt musical form from beginning to end e. the repetitive form is modified briefly to accommodate a particularly expressive word or phrase in the text

d. music that exhibits no obvious repetitions or overt musical form from beginning to end

What is meant by "cross-stringing"? a. re-stringing the piano so that the left side of the keyboard plays the high notes, while the right side plays the lower notes b. weaving threads between the strings of the piano to give the tone a softer, more shaded quality c. inserting foreign objects, such as paper clips or erasers, between the strings; the result so alters the pitch that the piano becomes a percussion instrument d. overlaying the lowest-sounding strings across those of the middle register, thereby producing a richer, more homogenous sound e. removing the dampers from the strings, allowing them to vibrate freely

d. overlaying the lowest-sounding strings across those of the middle register, thereby producing a richer, more homogenous sound

What does "rubato" mean? a. in musical notation, a tempo mark indicating a slowing down of the tempo b. a musical process in which all of the lines or parts move in the same direction, and at the same intervals, for a period of time; the opposite of counterpoint c. the Italian word for "return" or "refrain"; a short musical passage invariably played by the full orchestra d. the Italian word for "robbed"; in musical notation, an expression mark indicating that the performer may take great liberties with the tempo e. in musical notation, a tempo mark indicating "as fast as possible"

d. the Italian word for "robbed"; in musical notation, an expression mark indicating that the performer may take great liberties with the tempo

"La Scala" is__ a. a celebrated female opera singer; a prima donna b. a scenic plan in Italian opera involving a succession of separate elements such as a slow aria, a recitative, and a fast concluding aria c. the name given to the political movement that promoted the liberation and unification of Italy in the mid-nineteenth century d. the principal opera house of Milan, Italy e. the nickname of Marie Duplessis, the woman who served as the model for Violetta in La traviata

d. the principal opera house of Milan, Italy

Which statement accurately describes Chopin's final year? a. he moved to Rome in 1861, where he lived for a time at the Vatican; he died while visiting Bayreuth to hear the latest opera of Richard Wagner b. some of his greatest works were written during the last six years of his life, including his "Unfinished Symphony" c. because his music was not appreciated in his native country, he traveled throughout Europe conducting his works; the little recognition he received from his native country came too late and he died isolated and embittered d. while his tour of England and Scotland was financially profitable, it weakened his precarious health; he died in Paris of tuberculosis at the age of thirty-nine e. he experienced mood swings from nervous euphoria to suicidal depression; in his last years he was confined to an asylum, where he died in 1856

d. while his tour of England and Scotland was financially profitable, it weakened his precarious health; he died in Paris of tuberculosis at the age of thirty-nine

In which opera does the soprano live into a happy old age with her lover? a. Verdi, La traviata b. Wagner, Tristan und Isolde c. Bizet, Carmen d. Puccini, La bohème e. Are you kidding? This is Romantic opera; they all die.

e. Are you kidding? This is Romantic opera; they all die

Which composer wrote "verismo" operas? a. Rossini b. Verdi c. Wagner d. Bizet e. Puccini

e. Puccini

The correct definition of "col legno" is: a. placing a mute on the strings to soften the sound b. lightly touching the string with the finger while playing with the bow, resulting in a high, ghostly sound c. plucking the string d. a musical tremor produced by repeating the same pitch with quick up and down strokes of the bow e. striking the strings with the wood of the bow rather than with the horsehair

e. striking the strings with the wood of the bow rather than with the horsehair

The "character piece" is: a. music to be inserted between acts or during important scenes of a play, adding an extra dimension to the drama b. an introductory movement, usually for orchestra, that precedes an opera, oratorio, or dance suite c. a one-movement work for orchestra that gives musical expression to the emotions and events associated with a story, play, political occurrence, or encounter with nature d. a light musical interlude intended to separate and thus break the mood of two more serious, surrounding movements or operatic scenes e. a brief instrumental work, usually for the piano, seeking to capture a single mood and often making use of simple binary or ternary form

e. a brief instrumental work, usually for the piano, seeking to capture a single mood and often making use of simple binary or ternary form

Bel canto" is: a. a genre of Spanish song and dance, with guitar accompaniment, often used in Italian operas to suggest an exotic locale or situation b. a musical comedy originating in Italy with spoken dialogue, tuneful songs, and topical humor c. a scenic plan in Italian opera involving a succession of separate elements such as a slow aria, a recitative, and a fast concluding aria d. a celebrated female opera singer e. a style of singing that features the beautiful tone and brilliant technique of the human voice

e. a style of singing that features the beautiful tone and brilliant technique of the human voice

Identify the statement about Chopin's family background and education that is wrong. a. born near Warsaw, Poland, he received an excellent education b. his first major work was a set of variations on "Là ci darem la mano" from Mozart's opera Don Giovanni c. he attended the Warsaw Conservatory (1826-1829), where he studied piano and composition d. his father taught at an elite school for the sons of Polish aristocrats e. after receiving composition lessons from Antonio Salieri, he was soon writing his own works at an astonishing rate

e. after receiving composition lessons from Antonio Salieri, he was soon writing his own works at an astonishing rate

Berlioz was noted for his skill with instruments. Which statement is most accurate? a. local tutors taught him to play the flute and guitar, but he never learned to play the piano proficiently b. his compositions call for an enormous orchestra; he felt the ideal ensemble would include hundreds of musicians c. he experimented with new instruments d. wrote a treatise on musical instruments that is still used as a textbook in music conservatories around the world e. all of the above

e. all of the above

Identify the correct answer for "recitativo accompagnato." a. Verdi used it in his operas b. recitative accompanied by the orchestra rather than the continuo c. used to narrate the action d. allows the action to flow smoothly from recitative to aria without a jarring change of texture e. all of the above

e. all of the above

Liszt's recitals were innovative in that: a. he played from memory b. he was generally the only artist on the program c. he performed dazzling feats of virtuosity d. he placed the piano parallel with the line of the stage e. all of the above

e. all of the above

Musical nationalism was expressed through: a. national anthems b. native dances c. protest songs d. victory symphonies e. all of the above

e. all of the above

What change occurred in the audience's perception of music and composers during the Romantic period? a. music was transformed from entertainment to art b. the composer was now seen as a demigod rather than a hired employee c. certain works were deemed worthy of continued performance d. concerts were no longer social events, but special experiences that required careful listening e. all of the above

e. all of the above

What is the purpose of the "Promenade" theme in Pictures at an Exhibition? a. it transports us into a world of purely Russian art b. it unifies the sequence of musical pictures c. it provides a recurring interlude d. it suggests that the composer, and by extension the listener, is wandering through an exposition of paintings e. all of the above

e. all of the above

What new feature was added to the piano during the nineteenth century? a. an internal frame made of cast iron b. thicker steel strings c. felt-covered hammers d. multiple pedals e. all of the above

e. all of the above

Which statement best describes chromatic harmony? a. it encouraged bold chordal shifts b. it gave more colors to the harmonic palette because it used all twelve notes of the chromatic scale c. it is the reason why Romantic harmony sounds rich and lush d. it made it possible to glide smoothly to chords only a half-step away e. all of the above

e. all of the above

Which statement best describes the "Dies irae"? a. a tune originally composed in the thirteenth century b. it is treated in a sacrilegious manner in Symphonie fantastique c. the burial hymn of the medieval Church d. used in music and movies to suggest scenes of horror e. all of the above

e. all of the above

Identify the statement about Brahms that is wrong. a. after the death of Wagner, he was considered the greatest living German composer b. he only composed absolute music c. both Cambridge University and Breslau University awarded him with honorary degrees d. while he could write beautiful Romantic melodies, he emphasized contrapuntal development of themes e. because of his demanding conducting career, he was only able to compose during the summer months

e. because of his demanding conducting career, he was only able to compose during the summer months

The terms ________ and ________ refer to the leading female singer in an opera. a. prima donna, La Scala b. diva, coloratura c. soprano, bel canto d. Risorgimento, La Scala e. diva, prima donna

e. diva, prima donna

Which statement regarding Clara Schumann is false? a. she was one of the great piano virtuosos of the nineteenth century b. after the death of her husband, she supported herself and her children by resuming her career as a touring virtuoso c. a child prodigy on the piano, she made her debut performance in Leipzig at the age of eleven and a concert tour of Europe soon followed d. the Austrian emperor named her "Royal and Imperial Chamber Virtuosa," the first woman, teenager, and Protestant to be given that title e. recognizing Robert's genius, her father encouraged her relationship with him and was pleased when they finally married

e. recognizing Robert's genius, her father encouraged her relationship with him and was pleased when they finally married