Some sample questions from this category:
* Which of the following symphonies adhere to the traditional four-movement format?
* In which symphony does Mahler write parts for both a cowbell and xylophone?
* Which symphony uses the smallest orchestra?
* It is fair to say that the majority of Mahler's symphonies end with "a bang." Which of the following, by contrast, ALL end in a whisper?
* The enormous "Eigth Symphony," dubbed the "Symphony of a Thousand," makes use of a couple hundred instruments and vocalists. On which famous literary work did Mahler base the second part of this symphony?
* Likewise, most of Mahler's symphonies open rather flamboyantly. Which of the following, by contrast, ALL begin in an unambiguously subdued manner?
* Mahler was born in 1860 in what is now the Czech republic. He died in which year?
* Many of Mahler's symphonies have acquired nicknames. Which of the following symphonies is also known as the "Resurrection?"
* Mahler's genius did not lie exclusively with his symphonies. He was also a gifted composer of songs. Which of the following song cycles was not composed by him?
* Mahler was famous in his lifetime for his brilliance as a conductor. In which of the following cities did he not conduct?
* Mahler married a woman who was a pianist and composer in her own right. What is her first name?
* Probably the most charming and atypical of Mahler's symphonies is this one. It features, in the last movement, a soprano who sings of the delights that await us in heaven.
* Mahler's "Das Lied von der Erde" is a combination symphony and song cycle. The words are a German translation from which language?
* Mahler considered his "Symphony of a Thousand" to be his finest work. What number is this symphony?
* In homage to Mahler, let's end on a bang ourselves! What does the German word "aufstehen" mean, and how does it relate to the Mahler symphonies?
* Speaking of long pieces of music, the movement that Mahler had planned to use as the last of the "Third Symphony" was used somewhere else in order to keep the former (relatively) short. Where was that last movement placed?
* Which of Mahler's works is his longest?
* Some speculate that the third movement of the "First Symphony" ("Titan") was strongly influenced by Mahler's Jewish heritage. What popular melody lies at the heart of this movement?
* Which of the following Mahler symphonies does NOT contain at least one choral or vocal movement?
* Which Mahler symphony's first movement contains a fondly nostalgic theme meant to depict the composer's wife Alma?
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