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Quiz about The Fifth Symphony
Quiz about The Fifth Symphony

The Fifth Symphony Trivia Quiz

Many composers have written a 5th symphony that has enjoyed much popularity over the years. Okay, now you know the titles; try to guess the correct composer from the clues given. Some clues may be more obvious than others, but I hope you have fun.

A multiple-choice quiz by marchlover. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
marchlover
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
324,325
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
494
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
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Question 1 of 10
1. This four note motif is undoubtedly the most popular and most recognized in all of classical music. Roll over and tell me which composer I am referring too-- and I hope you are not too deaf to hear fate knocking at the door. Hint


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Question 2 of 10
2. Lady MacBeth of Mzentsk tells me that she heard that at the premier of this Fifth Symphony it was followed by a thundering ovation that lasted about 40 minutes. I am sure she got her facts on the nose. Which composer found himself restored to political favor with this Fifth Symphony? Hint


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Question 3 of 10
3. This was this composer's first extended symphony, written in 1832, but not published until years after his death - the Fifth of his symphonies to be published. It was written to honor the 300th anniversary of the Augsberg Confession--a key doctrine in the Lutheran Reformation, therefore the symphony was titled "The Reformation" (perhaps the inspiration to compose this came to him during a midsummer night's dream). Do you know who wrote it? Hint


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Question 4 of 10
4. Okay, to be honest, this particular symphony I am referring to here is no longer a Fifth Symphony, but it used to be, and some early recordings still show it to be designated as a Fifth Symphony. To confuse matters more, it even one time was designated as an Eighth Symphony. But it is so popular, even now known as his Ninth Symphony, that I included it here for old times sake. I guess it could be said that when the music scholars got together and cataloged his works they really opened up a new world. Which of these composers got renumbered? Hint


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Question 5 of 10
5. Premiered in January 1945 with the composer conducting, this Fifth Symphony endured as one of his most popular works. Even my friend Peter and his pet wolf think it is much more loved than any three oranges any day. Which Russian composer wrote this Fifth Symphony in Bb, opus 100? Hint


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Question 6 of 10
6. Of his six symphonies, his Fifth is one of two that do not have titles. But no matter, his Fifth Symphony, or any of his symphonies, goes quite well with some danish pastry. Who is this man? Hint


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Question 7 of 10
7. Written in 1901 and 1902, this Fifth Symphony is also considered the best known of this Austrian composer. It has been since revised (and given resurrection) several times by the composer. It consists of five movements, and an average performance lasts about 70 minutes. Do you know who wrote this large scale work? Hint


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Question 8 of 10
8. This Fifth Symphony was commissioned by the Finnish government to honor the composer's 50th birthday. So, who was this "Birthday Boy of Finlandia"? Hint


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Question 9 of 10
9. First played in 1888, the composer of this Fifth Symphony thought it to be a dismal failure, but at least he didn't try to destroy the score by shredding it with a nutcracker, or by throwing it in some swan-ladened lake. Do you know who was this self-critical Russian composer? Hint


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Question 10 of 10
10. And for the last question, a Fifth Symphony of a different sort in that it is not written for orchestra, but for solo organ, composed in 1879. The 4th movement is the very famous "Toccatta". Who is this "organ-ic" composer? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This four note motif is undoubtedly the most popular and most recognized in all of classical music. Roll over and tell me which composer I am referring too-- and I hope you are not too deaf to hear fate knocking at the door.

Answer: Ludwig van Beethoven

 Beethoven (1770-1827) was born in Germany. He composed his Fifth Symphony between 1804 and 1808. It is probably the most performed symphony ever written.
2. Lady MacBeth of Mzentsk tells me that she heard that at the premier of this Fifth Symphony it was followed by a thundering ovation that lasted about 40 minutes. I am sure she got her facts on the nose. Which composer found himself restored to political favor with this Fifth Symphony?

Answer: Dmitri Shostakovitch

 Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) premiered his 5th Symphony in 1937 in Leningrad. He had previously fallen from Soviet political graces with his opera "Lady MacBeth Of the Mzentsk District" and was suggested to "simplify" his music. This symphony was greeted by the Party with high accolades and went on to receive much acclaim from the public as well.

It is one of Shostakovitch's most popular works. He wrote an opera entitled "The Nose" in 1927. He also wrote, in 1954, "Festive Overture" which still enjoys tremendous popularity to this day.
3. This was this composer's first extended symphony, written in 1832, but not published until years after his death - the Fifth of his symphonies to be published. It was written to honor the 300th anniversary of the Augsberg Confession--a key doctrine in the Lutheran Reformation, therefore the symphony was titled "The Reformation" (perhaps the inspiration to compose this came to him during a midsummer night's dream). Do you know who wrote it?

Answer: Felix Mendelssohn

 Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was regarded as a child prodigy and is today considered one of the more popular composers of the Romantic period. His overture and incidental music for Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream" are programmed and recorded world wide.
4. Okay, to be honest, this particular symphony I am referring to here is no longer a Fifth Symphony, but it used to be, and some early recordings still show it to be designated as a Fifth Symphony. To confuse matters more, it even one time was designated as an Eighth Symphony. But it is so popular, even now known as his Ninth Symphony, that I included it here for old times sake. I guess it could be said that when the music scholars got together and cataloged his works they really opened up a new world. Which of these composers got renumbered?

Answer: Antonin Dvorak

 Dvorak was a Czech composer who lived from 1841 to 1904. Although his famous "New World Symphony" (premiered in December 1893 at Carnegie Hall) was written during his visit to the United States, its thematic material is largely original. It was originally published as No.5 as it was Dvorak's 5th Symphony to be PUBLISHED, even though Dvorak referred to it as his 8th Symphony.

But in the end, the music publisher Simrock renumbered his catalog and it is now known as the 9th (but I still have some old LP recordings that designate it as the Fifth Symphony).
5. Premiered in January 1945 with the composer conducting, this Fifth Symphony endured as one of his most popular works. Even my friend Peter and his pet wolf think it is much more loved than any three oranges any day. Which Russian composer wrote this Fifth Symphony in Bb, opus 100?

Answer: Sergei Prokofiev

 Prokofiev (1891-1953) conducted this work at its premier in Moscow. It was written in 1944 with in the span of one month. World War II was still raging at the time and he intended this work to be as "hymn to free and happy man....". In November of 1945 Sergei Koussevitsky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra gave the American premier. Of course Prokofiev is also known for "Peter and the Wolf", and the "Love for Three Oranges" suite.
6. Of his six symphonies, his Fifth is one of two that do not have titles. But no matter, his Fifth Symphony, or any of his symphonies, goes quite well with some danish pastry. Who is this man?

Answer: Carl Nielsen

 Carl Nielsen was born in Denmark in 1865 and died in 1931. Besides symphonies, he also wrote concertos for violin. flute, and clarinet. He also appears on the Danish 100 kroner note currency. His Fifth Symphony was first performed in January, 1922, in Copenhagen.
7. Written in 1901 and 1902, this Fifth Symphony is also considered the best known of this Austrian composer. It has been since revised (and given resurrection) several times by the composer. It consists of five movements, and an average performance lasts about 70 minutes. Do you know who wrote this large scale work?

Answer: Gustav Mahler

 Mahler (1860-1911) was one of the leading orchestral and operatic conductors of his day. Sadly, as in many cases, his works did not achieve great popularity until after his death. His Second Symphony, titled "Resurrection" has also enjoyed great popularity in the years after his passing.
8. This Fifth Symphony was commissioned by the Finnish government to honor the composer's 50th birthday. So, who was this "Birthday Boy of Finlandia"?

Answer: Jean Sibelius

 Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was this Fifth Symphony's composer. And it was premiered on his 50th birthday on December 8, 1915, although Sibeleius has revised it since then. His music played an important role in the formation of a Finnish national identity. Many motifs from this Fifth Symphony have been used in pop songs, including "Popsicles and Icicles" as sung by the Murmaids in 1963.
9. First played in 1888, the composer of this Fifth Symphony thought it to be a dismal failure, but at least he didn't try to destroy the score by shredding it with a nutcracker, or by throwing it in some swan-ladened lake. Do you know who was this self-critical Russian composer?

Answer: Peter Tchaikovsky

 Not very critically acclaimed at first, this Fifth Symphony did finally, but slowly, find its way into acceptance as one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works. It even spawned a few pop tunes along the way, and John Denver's "Annie's Song" has been compared to the theme in the 2nd movement. Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) also wrote music for the ballets "Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake", and, of course "Sleeping Beauty". And of course he is remembered for his "1812 Overture".
10. And for the last question, a Fifth Symphony of a different sort in that it is not written for orchestra, but for solo organ, composed in 1879. The 4th movement is the very famous "Toccatta". Who is this "organ-ic" composer?

Answer: Charles-Marie Widor

 Widor was born in France in 1844 and died in 1937. He composed numerous works for organ as well as for other ensembles, but his "Toccata"from the Fifth Organ Symphony is by far his most popular piece. Saint-Saens did write an "Organ Symphony", but that was his Third Symphony and with full orchestra , of course.
Source: Author marchlover

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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