Piano Piano History & Composers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Who composed 'The Well-Tempered Clavier,' a landmark collection of keyboard preludes and fugues?
- George Frideric Handel
- Johann Sebastian Bach (Correct answer)
- Henry Purcell
- Domenico Scarlatti
Correct answer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach composed 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' in two books (1722 and 1742), with a prelude and fugue in each of the 24 major and minor keys.
Question 2: What is the popular nickname for Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major (K. 331)?
- Alla Turca
- Turkish March
- Rondo alla Turca (Correct answer)
- Sonata alla Turca
Correct answer: Rondo alla Turca
The third movement of Mozart's Sonata K. 331 is titled 'Rondo alla Turca' (Turkish March), which gave the entire sonata its popular nickname.
Question 3: Which Romantic composer wrote a famous set of 24 Preludes for solo piano, Op. 28?
- Johannes Brahms
- Robert Schumann
- Frederic Chopin (Correct answer)
- Franz Liszt
Correct answer: Frederic Chopin
Frederic Chopin wrote his 24 Preludes, Op. 28, covering all 24 major and minor keys, composed between 1835 and 1839.
Question 4: What is a fortepiano?
- A modern concert grand piano
- An early form of the piano from the 18th century (Correct answer)
- A piano with a built-in forte pedal
- A small upright piano
Correct answer: An early form of the piano from the 18th century
A fortepiano is the early version of the piano used in the 18th and early 19th centuries, with a lighter action and thinner tone than modern instruments.
Question 5: Who composed 'Rhapsody in Blue,' blending classical form with jazz influences?
- Scott Joplin
- Duke Ellington
- George Gershwin (Correct answer)
- Cole Porter
Correct answer: George Gershwin
'Rhapsody in Blue' was composed by George Gershwin in 1924, premiering with Paul Whiteman's orchestra in New York.
Question 6: Who composed the 'Goldberg Variations,' a famous set of 30 keyboard variations?
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Franz Joseph Haydn
- Johann Sebastian Bach (Correct answer)
- Georg Friedrich Handel
Correct answer: Johann Sebastian Bach
J.S. Bach composed the Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) around 1741, consisting of an aria and 30 variations in G major.
Piano Piano History & Composers 2
Who composed 'The Well-Tempered Clavier,' a landmark collection of keyboard preludes and fugues?