Classical Music Internet Quest

1. What are the four periods of music called after 1600? What years did they take place? Name two characteristics of each one.
2. Which instrument is Bach most recognized for playing? For which musical genre did he not compose?
3. Who composed the Canon in D? (What is a musical canon?)
4. How does a harpsichord differ from a piano (pianoforte)?
5. What is an opera?
6. What is the high operatic voice of a female called? What is the high operatic voice of a male called?
7. What is a symphony? How many movements does a symphony usually have?
8. How many symphonies did Haydn compose? How many symphonies did Beethoven compose?
9. How old was W.A. Mozart when he wrote his first sonata for the piano? First opera? How many works did he compose over his life?
10. Who was known as the master of the harpsichord?
11. What do adagio and allegro mean?
12. The Romantic Period composers composed primarily for whom?
13. Richard Wagner is best known for what kind of compositions?
14. What is a whole-tone scale?
15. What is syncopation?
16. What musical genre was Vivaldi most known for? How many movements did they usually comprise of?
17. In what period of music did Camille Saint-Saens compose? What is the name of his most famous composition?
18. Name one instrument from each section of a modern day orchestra.
19. Name three Modern American composers and one of their most famous pieces.
20. What does dissonant mean?