Chapter 10 Quiz 1

. What is the term for a large-scale work for choir, soloists, and orchestra that describes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

Oratorio

Passion

Requiem

Cantata

. Which of the composers discussed in this chapter can be considered a truly international composer, based on their life and career?

Handel

Bach

Vivaldi

Adams

. Which statements about J. S. Bach's passions is accurate?

He wrote four passions, three of which are part of the standard repertoire today.

His Passion According to St. Matthew was re-presented to the public in 1929 by Mendelssohn.

Unfortunately, the majority of Bach's passions have been lost since his life.

Although he did not write any operas, Bach's passions give modern audiences a glimpse of how he approached the operatic traditions of aria and recitative.

. What do J. S. Bach's Mass in B Minor and Leonard Bernstein's Mass have in common?

Neither makes use of soloists.

Both were originally intended for performance in concert halls rather than as part of religious services.

Both pieces use large choral ensembles with only a single keyboard instrument accompanying, typically the organ.

The works share nothing in common.

. What was the Royal Academy of Music?

An organization created by King George III to promote nationalistic English oratorio.

A society of prominent composers living in and around Prussia.

A newspaper published for the benefit of the court of King Louis XIV.

An organization founded by Handel to perform opera.

. Which is the term for a funeral mass within the Catholic tradition?

Passion

Requiem

Oratorio

Missa solemnis

. Which of the following composers is NOT known for their oratorios?

Vivaldi

Handel

Ravel

Mendelssohn

. Which statement about Handel's Messiah is true?

It has been Handel's most famous work since it first premiered in London.

Its main three sections focus on retelling the story of the Christian New Testament.

There are more than sixty smaller sections, although the most commonly heard are those that tell the Christmas story.

It is frequently performed in communal fashion where audiences are invited to attend and sing with live orchestra.

. In the Passion According to St. Matthew, which character narrates events through recitative?

Pontius Pilate

Jesus

The Evangelist

Judas

. In addition to their higher range, what physical characteristic of castrati was valued by composers?

Their increased breath capacity.

Their increased vocal agility.

Their heightened intonation.

None of the above.

. Which description of the form of the German Requiem is accurate?

It is in seven unconnected movements that draw from the Lutheran bible.

It is in an interconnected "arch" form created by the musical connections between the first and seventh, second and sixth, and third and fifth movements.

Its eight movements are in an extended symphonic form, beginning with two sonata movements and ending with a rondo.

The piece's nine movements are meant to focus attention on the central movement, which is based on the text of Psalm 84: "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place."

. Which statement about recitative is NOT true?

It serves a similar function to dialogue in a play or musical.

Both opera and oratorio made use of recitative.

It was not used until the Classical era.

Typically there is not a strong, driving rhythm in recitative.

. Which statement about oratorios is NOT true?

They originated in the Baroque era.

They are rarely long enough for an entire evening's concert programming.

They tell stories sacred through singing rather than speech.

They involve large performance forces including orchestra, soloists, and chorus.

. Consider the following statement and choose the best response: "The chorale 'O Mensch, bewein dein Sunde gross' from the Passion According to St. Matthew is an excellent example of the contrasts so typical of Baroque music because of its highly varied textures, rhythms, and performing forces."

The statement is true.

The statement is false because the texture and performing forces are constant.

The statement is false because the rhythmic pattern is constant.

The statement is false because none of the listed elements of music contrast within this chorale.

. Why is it traditional for the audience to stand at the beginning of the "Hallelujah Chorus"?

Because of where it falls in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Mass.

King George II supposedly stood at the opening bars of the chorus at a performance in 1743, and the rest of the audience rose with him.

Because it is the British national anthem.

Ludwig van Beethoven started the tradition when he stood, weeping openly, at a performance in Vienna that commemorated Handel's death.

Chapter 10 Quiz 1

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