Composers

What are the four main families of instruments in an orchestra?

Hint: Instruments are grouped by how they produce sound

Which orchestra family includes violin, viola, cello, and double bass?

Hint: Sound is made by vibrating strings with a bow or plucking

Which orchestra family includes flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon?

Hint: Sound is made by blowing air through a reed or across an opening

Which orchestra family includes trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba?

Hint: Sound is made by buzzing the lips into a mouthpiece

Which orchestra family includes timpani, snare drum, cymbals, and xylophone?

Hint: Sound is made by striking, shaking, or scraping

What is the smallest and highest-pitched string instrument in the orchestra?

Hint: It plays the melody in most orchestral music

What is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument in the orchestra?

Hint: So large it must be played standing up or sitting on a tall stool

Which woodwind instrument does NOT use a reed?

Hint: Sound is made by blowing air across an opening

Which woodwind uses a double reed and often plays the tuning note 'A' for the orchestra?

Hint: It has a distinctive nasal tone

What is the lowest-pitched instrument in the brass family?

Hint: The largest brass instrument

What large, tunable drums are also called 'kettledrums' in the orchestra?

Hint: They can be tuned to specific pitches using a pedal

What is the person who leads and directs the orchestra called?

Hint: They use a baton to keep time and shape the music

Which musical period (1600-1750) featured ornate, highly decorated music with harpsichord and pipe organ?

Hint: Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi composed during this era

What musical period is George Frideric Handel associated with?

Hint: Known for oratorio, opera, orchestral. Primary instrument: Keyboard/Organ. Most famous work: Messiah (Hallelujah Chorus).

Which famous work was composed by George Frideric Handel?

Hint: George Frideric Handel was a Baroque composer known for oratorio, opera, orchestral.

Who composed Messiah (Hallelujah Chorus)?

Hint: This Baroque composer played keyboard/organ and was known for oratorio, opera, orchestral.

What musical period is Johann Sebastian Bach associated with?

Hint: Known for fugue, concerto, sacred music. Primary instrument: Keyboard/Organ. Most famous work: Toccata and Fugue in D minor.

Which famous work was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach?

Hint: Johann Sebastian Bach was a Baroque composer known for fugue, concerto, sacred music.

Who composed Toccata and Fugue in D minor?

Hint: This Baroque composer played keyboard/organ and was known for fugue, concerto, sacred music.

What musical period is Antonio Vivaldi associated with?

Hint: Known for concerto, sacred music. Primary instrument: Violin. Most famous work: The Four Seasons.

Which famous work was composed by Antonio Vivaldi?

Hint: Antonio Vivaldi was a Baroque composer known for concerto, sacred music.

Who composed The Four Seasons?

Hint: This Baroque composer played violin and was known for concerto, sacred music.

What musical period is Henry Purcell associated with?

Hint: Known for opera, sacred music. Primary instrument: Keyboard/Organ. Most famous work: Dido and Aeneas.

Which famous work was composed by Henry Purcell?

Hint: Henry Purcell was a Baroque composer known for opera, sacred music.

Who composed Dido and Aeneas?

Hint: This Baroque composer played keyboard/organ and was known for opera, sacred music.

What musical period is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart associated with?

Hint: Known for symphony, opera, concerto. Primary instrument: Piano/Keyboard. Most famous work: Eine kleine Nachtmusik.

Which famous work was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

Hint: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a Classical composer known for symphony, opera, concerto.

Who composed Eine kleine Nachtmusik?

Hint: This Classical composer played piano/keyboard and was known for symphony, opera, concerto.

What musical period is Joseph Haydn associated with?

Hint: Known for symphony, string quartet, oratorio. Primary instrument: Keyboard. Most famous work: Surprise Symphony (No. 94).

Which famous work was composed by Joseph Haydn?

Hint: Joseph Haydn was a Classical composer known for symphony, string quartet, oratorio.

Who composed Surprise Symphony (No. 94)?

Hint: This Classical composer played keyboard and was known for symphony, string quartet, oratorio.

What musical period is Ludwig van Beethoven associated with?

Hint: Known for symphony, sonata, concerto. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Symphony No. 5.

Which famous work was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven?

Hint: Ludwig van Beethoven was a Classical/Romantic composer known for symphony, sonata, concerto.

Who composed Symphony No. 5?

Hint: This Classical/Romantic composer played piano and was known for symphony, sonata, concerto.

What musical period is Franz Schubert associated with?

Hint: Known for lieder (art song), symphony. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Ave Maria.

Which famous work was composed by Franz Schubert?

Hint: Franz Schubert was a Romantic composer known for lieder (art song), symphony.

Who composed Ave Maria?

Hint: This Romantic composer played piano and was known for lieder (art song), symphony.

What musical period is Frédéric Chopin associated with?

Hint: Known for nocturne, étude, waltz, polonaise. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Nocturne in E-flat major.

Which famous work was composed by Frédéric Chopin?

Hint: Frédéric Chopin was a Romantic composer known for nocturne, étude, waltz, polonaise.

Who composed Nocturne in E-flat major?

Hint: This Romantic composer played piano and was known for nocturne, étude, waltz, polonaise.

What musical period is Felix Mendelssohn associated with?

Hint: Known for overture, concerto, symphony. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture.

Which famous work was composed by Felix Mendelssohn?

Hint: Felix Mendelssohn was a Romantic composer known for overture, concerto, symphony.

Who composed A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture?

Hint: This Romantic composer played piano and was known for overture, concerto, symphony.

What musical period is Robert Schumann associated with?

Hint: Known for piano music, lieder, symphony. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Carnaval.

Which famous work was composed by Robert Schumann?

Hint: Robert Schumann was a Romantic composer known for piano music, lieder, symphony.

Who composed Carnaval?

Hint: This Romantic composer played piano and was known for piano music, lieder, symphony.

What musical period is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky associated with?

Hint: Known for ballet, symphony, concerto. Primary instrument: Orchestral. Most famous work: The Nutcracker.

Which famous work was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky?

Hint: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Romantic composer known for ballet, symphony, concerto.

Who composed The Nutcracker?

Hint: This Romantic composer played orchestral and was known for ballet, symphony, concerto.

What musical period is Johannes Brahms associated with?

Hint: Known for symphony, chamber music, choral. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Brahms' Lullaby.

Which famous work was composed by Johannes Brahms?

Hint: Johannes Brahms was a Romantic composer known for symphony, chamber music, choral.

Who composed Brahms' Lullaby?

Hint: This Romantic composer played piano and was known for symphony, chamber music, choral.

What musical period is Richard Wagner associated with?

Hint: Known for opera (music drama). Primary instrument: Orchestral. Most famous work: Ride of the Valkyries.

Which famous work was composed by Richard Wagner?

Hint: Richard Wagner was a Romantic composer known for opera (music drama).

Who composed Ride of the Valkyries?

Hint: This Romantic composer played orchestral and was known for opera (music drama).

What musical period is Antonín Dvořák associated with?

Hint: Known for symphony, chamber music. Primary instrument: Orchestral. Most famous work: New World Symphony (No. 9).

Which famous work was composed by Antonín Dvořák?

Hint: Antonín Dvořák was a Romantic composer known for symphony, chamber music.

Who composed New World Symphony (No. 9)?

Hint: This Romantic composer played orchestral and was known for symphony, chamber music.

What musical period is Claude Debussy associated with?

Hint: Known for impressionist, orchestral. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Clair de Lune.

Which famous work was composed by Claude Debussy?

Hint: Claude Debussy was a Impressionist composer known for impressionist, orchestral.

Who composed Clair de Lune?

Hint: This Impressionist composer played piano and was known for impressionist, orchestral.

What musical period is Edvard Grieg associated with?

Hint: Known for orchestral suite, concerto. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Peer Gynt Suite (Morning Mood, In the Hall of the Mountain King).

Which famous work was composed by Edvard Grieg?

Hint: Edvard Grieg was a Romantic/Nationalist composer known for orchestral suite, concerto.

Who composed Peer Gynt Suite (Morning Mood, In the Hall of the Mountain King)?

Hint: This Romantic/Nationalist composer played piano and was known for orchestral suite, concerto.

What musical period is John Philip Sousa associated with?

Hint: Known for march. Primary instrument: Band/March. Most famous work: The Stars and Stripes Forever.

Which famous work was composed by John Philip Sousa?

Hint: John Philip Sousa was a Romantic composer known for march.

Who composed The Stars and Stripes Forever?

Hint: This Romantic composer played band/march and was known for march.

What musical period is Igor Stravinsky associated with?

Hint: Known for ballet, orchestral. Primary instrument: Orchestral. Most famous work: The Rite of Spring.

Which famous work was composed by Igor Stravinsky?

Hint: Igor Stravinsky was a Modern composer known for ballet, orchestral.

Who composed The Rite of Spring?

Hint: This Modern composer played orchestral and was known for ballet, orchestral.

What musical period is Aaron Copland associated with?

Hint: Known for ballet, orchestral, film score. Primary instrument: Orchestral. Most famous work: Appalachian Spring.

Which famous work was composed by Aaron Copland?

Hint: Aaron Copland was a Modern composer known for ballet, orchestral, film score.

Who composed Appalachian Spring?

Hint: This Modern composer played orchestral and was known for ballet, orchestral, film score.

What musical period is Sergei Prokofiev associated with?

Hint: Known for ballet, orchestral, concerto. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Peter and the Wolf.

Which famous work was composed by Sergei Prokofiev?

Hint: Sergei Prokofiev was a Modern composer known for ballet, orchestral, concerto.

Who composed Peter and the Wolf?

Hint: This Modern composer played piano and was known for ballet, orchestral, concerto.

What musical period is Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina associated with?

Hint: Known for sacred choral, mass, motet. Primary instrument: Choral. Most famous work: Missa Papae Marcelli.

Which famous work was composed by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina?

Hint: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was a Renaissance composer known for sacred choral, mass, motet.

Who composed Missa Papae Marcelli?

Hint: This Renaissance composer played choral and was known for sacred choral, mass, motet.

What musical period is Arcangelo Corelli associated with?

Hint: Known for concerto grosso, sonata. Primary instrument: Violin. Most famous work: Christmas Concerto (Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 8).

Which famous work was composed by Arcangelo Corelli?

Hint: Arcangelo Corelli was a Baroque composer known for concerto grosso, sonata.

Who composed Christmas Concerto (Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 8)?

Hint: This Baroque composer played violin and was known for concerto grosso, sonata.

What musical period is Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach associated with?

Hint: Known for keyboard music, concerto, sacred music. Primary instrument: Keyboard. Most famous work: Cello Concerto in A major.

Which famous work was composed by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach?

Hint: Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was a Classical composer known for keyboard music, concerto, sacred music.

Who composed Cello Concerto in A major?

Hint: This Classical composer played keyboard and was known for keyboard music, concerto, sacred music.

What musical period is Franz Liszt associated with?

Hint: Known for piano virtuoso, symphonic poem. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.

Which famous work was composed by Franz Liszt?

Hint: Franz Liszt was a Romantic composer known for piano virtuoso, symphonic poem.

Who composed Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2?

Hint: This Romantic composer played piano and was known for piano virtuoso, symphonic poem.

What musical period is Giuseppe Verdi associated with?

Hint: Known for opera, sacred music. Primary instrument: Orchestral/Vocal. Most famous work: Aida.

Which famous work was composed by Giuseppe Verdi?

Hint: Giuseppe Verdi was a Romantic composer known for opera, sacred music.

Who composed Aida?

Hint: This Romantic composer played orchestral/vocal and was known for opera, sacred music.

What musical period is Camille Saint-Saëns associated with?

Hint: Known for symphony, concerto, orchestral. Primary instrument: Piano/Organ. Most famous work: Carnival of the Animals.

Which famous work was composed by Camille Saint-Saëns?

Hint: Camille Saint-Saëns was a Romantic composer known for symphony, concerto, orchestral.

Who composed Carnival of the Animals?

Hint: This Romantic composer played piano/organ and was known for symphony, concerto, orchestral.

What musical period is Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov associated with?

Hint: Known for orchestral suite, opera. Primary instrument: Orchestral. Most famous work: Scheherazade.

Which famous work was composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov?

Hint: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a Romantic/Nationalist composer known for orchestral suite, opera.

Who composed Scheherazade?

Hint: This Romantic/Nationalist composer played orchestral and was known for orchestral suite, opera.

What musical period is Edward Elgar associated with?

Hint: Known for march, orchestral, concerto. Primary instrument: Orchestral. Most famous work: Pomp and Circumstance Marches.

Which famous work was composed by Edward Elgar?

Hint: Edward Elgar was a Romantic composer known for march, orchestral, concerto.

Who composed Pomp and Circumstance Marches?

Hint: This Romantic composer played orchestral and was known for march, orchestral, concerto.

What musical period is Sergei Rachmaninoff associated with?

Hint: Known for concerto, symphonic, piano. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Piano Concerto No. 2.

Which famous work was composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff?

Hint: Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Romantic/Modern composer known for concerto, symphonic, piano.

Who composed Piano Concerto No. 2?

Hint: This Romantic/Modern composer played piano and was known for concerto, symphonic, piano.

What musical period is George Gershwin associated with?

Hint: Known for orchestral, opera, jazz-influenced. Primary instrument: Piano. Most famous work: Rhapsody in Blue.

Which famous work was composed by George Gershwin?

Hint: George Gershwin was a Modern composer known for orchestral, opera, jazz-influenced.

Who composed Rhapsody in Blue?

Hint: This Modern composer played piano and was known for orchestral, opera, jazz-influenced.

Which form became especially important in Classical symphonies and sonatas?

Which composer is strongly associated with developing the string quartet?

Which Romantic opera composer is famous for leitmotifs?

Which modern ballet shocked listeners with driving rhythm and dissonance?

A keyboard piece introduces one musical subject and then imitates it in several voices. Which Baroque form is most likely?

Several independent melodies weave together clearly, as in much of Bach's music. Which Baroque texture is being used?

Hint: Bach was a master of independent melodic lines.

A Baroque ensemble has a bass line with chords supporting ornate upper melodies. What accompaniment practice is this?

Hint: It is a continuous bass foundation.

A symphony movement has balanced phrases, clear melody over accompaniment, and orderly sonata form. Which style does this best fit?

Hint: Think Haydn and Mozart.

An orchestral piece is written to depict a storm, a journey, or a legend rather than abstract form alone. What type of Romantic music is this?

Hint: The music follows an outside story or scene.