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Great Composers: Mendelssohn Trivia Quiz

Who was Mendelssohn? Take the quiz and find out more about this well-known, but perhaps underappreciated musician.

A multiple-choice quiz by 57wordsmith. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
57wordsmith

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
223,850

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
501

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When was Mendelssohn born? Hint

1809

1812

1810

1815

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Question 2 of 10

2. With which sibling did Mendelssohn start his music lessons? Hint

Oscar

Rebecca

Fanny

Paul

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Question 3 of 10

3. Besides piano, what other instrument did Mendelssohn learn?

Answer: (take a bow)

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Question 4 of 10

4. Considered a prodigy, Mendelssohn created roughly how many pieces by the age of 12? Hint

120

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Question 5 of 10

5. Mendelssohn was such a talented musician that his teacher declared him no longer a student but a fellow artist when Mendelssohn was merely fifteen.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Mendelssohn rediscovered Bach.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which country inspired Mendelssohn to create his famous "Hebrides Overture" (also known as "Fingal's Cave")? Hint

Switzerland

Ireland

Scotland

England

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Question 8 of 10

8. At 17 Mendelssohn wrote the overture to Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream". However, he wrote what other famous piece for the same play? Hint

Oberon's Overture

"riumphant Processional

Midsummer Dance

The Wedding March

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Question 9 of 10

9. Mendelssohn devoted himself to his music career and never married.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. In which year did Mendelssohn die? Hint

1877

1897

1847

1867

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. When was Mendelssohn born?

Answer: 1809

He was named Felix, which means "happy one." And happy he was. He was the second child born into a wealthy family who adored the handsome little boy.

2. With which sibling did Mendelssohn start his music lessons?

Answer: Fanny

He was four years old when he began his music lessons with his beloved sister Fanny. He later performed music with his brother Paul, who played cello, and with his sister Rebecca, who sang. There was no sibling by the name of Oscar.

3. Besides piano, what other instrument did Mendelssohn learn?

Answer: violin

His compositions reflect the richness of his knowledge of these two instruments.

4. Considered a prodigy, Mendelssohn created roughly how many pieces by the age of 12?

Answer: 50

Mendelssohn created a wealth and variety of musical pieces including opera. His "Octet in E Flat" is considered a masterpiece for strings.

5. Mendelssohn was such a talented musician that his teacher declared him no longer a student but a fellow artist when Mendelssohn was merely fifteen.

Answer: True

This was quite true. Carl Zelger, his teacher, believed that Mendelssohn's talents were tremendous, and no longer considered him to be of student status. This was a high compliment as many students traveled a distance to pay homage to Zelger's greatness.

6. Mendelssohn rediscovered Bach.

Answer: True

Mendelssohn presented Bach's "St. Matthew's Passion" nearly 100 years after Bach's time, which created a new interest in Bach.

7. Which country inspired Mendelssohn to create his famous "Hebrides Overture" (also known as "Fingal's Cave")?

Answer: Scotland

After Mendelssohn was warmly received in England he further traveled to Scotland, where the lush countryside inspired him to create such works as the "Hebrides Overture". Fingal's Cave especially impressed him, and this is reflected in the piece so named.

8. At 17 Mendelssohn wrote the overture to Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream". However, he wrote what other famous piece for the same play?

Answer: The Wedding March

"The Wedding March" is what we hear at most weddings, and Mendelssohn created it for Oberon's wedding in the play.

9. Mendelssohn devoted himself to his music career and never married.

Answer: False

Mendelssohn married in 1837 and he and his wife had several children. It's said that he would play "The Spring Song" for his children before they went to bed.

10. In which year did Mendelssohn die?

Answer: 1847

Mendelssohn had a short but happy life. He died in November of 1847 at the age of only 38. It's thought he never truly recovered from the shock of his beloved sister Fanny's death, who died in 1846. Her death came shortly after a successful, but draining tour of England from which Mendelssohn had just returned. Mendelssohn's funeral was attended by hundreds of musicians and students.

Source: Author 57wordsmith

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