Quiz on Early-20th-Century European Composers

Which Hungarian composer is known for his Concerto for Orchestra and was a pioneer in ethnomusicology?

• Jean Sibelius

• Igor Stravinsky

• Franz Liszt

• Béla Bartók

Claude Debussy is often described as an Impressionist composer. Which of his works was choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky?

• Finlandia

• The Rite of Spring

• Bolero

• Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun

Which German composer, known for his concept of Gebrauchsmusik, moved to the United States to escape Nazi persecution?

• Arnold Schoenberg

• Maurice Ravel

• Sergei Rachmaninoff

• Paul Hindemith

Gustav Mahler's Eighth Symphony is nicknamed the 'Symphony of a Thousand.' Which hymn does it set?

• Dies Irae

• Ode to Joy

• Ave Maria

• Veni, Creator Spiritus

Which Russian composer is known for his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini?

• Claude Debussy

• Jean Sibelius

• Igor Stravinsky

• Sergei Rachmaninoff

Maurice Ravel's Bolero is based on a single repeating melody. What is the main rhythmic element in this piece?

• Flute trill

• Violin pizzicato

• Piano arpeggio

• Snare drum ostinato

Erik Satie's Gymnopédies are known for their minimalism. What is a characteristic feature of these pieces?

• Complex counterpoint

• Rapid tempo changes

• Heavy use of percussion

• Alternating chords with a floating melody

Arnold Schoenberg developed the twelve-tone method of composition. What is this technique also known as?

• Impressionism

• Minimalism

• Expressionism

• Serialism

Jean Sibelius's best-known work, Finlandia, was written during which country's occupation of Finland?

• Norway

• Germany

• Sweden

• Russia

Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is famous for causing a riot at its premiere. In which period of his career was it composed?

• Romantic period

• Neoclassical period

• Russian period

• Serial period