Multiple Choice Questions
Music History: Contemporary and Experimental Music (Continued)
Topic Name: Contemporary and Experimental Music
Grade: 11
Question 1:
Which composer is known for his use of chance operations in his compositions?
a) John Cage
b) Ludwig van Beethoven
c) Johann Sebastian Bach
d) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Answer: a) John Cage
Explanation: John Cage is known for his use of chance operations in his compositions, specifically in his piece titled \”4\’33\”. In this composition, the performer is instructed not to play their instrument for the entire duration of the piece, allowing for the ambient sounds of the environment to become the music. This use of chance and randomness was a key aspect of Cage\’s experimental approach to music.
Example 1: In \”4\’33\”, John Cage leaves the performance entirely up to chance and the surrounding environment, creating a unique and unpredictable musical experience.
Example 2: John Cage\’s composition \”Music of Changes\” utilizes the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text, to determine various musical parameters such as pitch and duration.
Question 2:
Which musical genre emerged in the late 1970s and is characterized by its aggressive and energetic sound?
a) Punk rock
b) Baroque
c) Jazz
d) Classical
Answer: a) Punk rock
Explanation: Punk rock emerged in the late 1970s as a rebellious and aggressive genre of music. It is characterized by its simple and fast-paced musical arrangements, DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos, and lyrics that often express political and social discontent. Punk rock bands such as The Ramones and Sex Pistols were influential in shaping the genre.
Example 1: The Ramones\’ song \”Blitzkrieg Bop\” is a classic example of the energetic and aggressive sound of punk rock, with its fast tempo, power chords, and catchy chorus.
Example 2: The Sex Pistols\’ album \”Never Mind the Bollocks, Here\’s the Sex Pistols\” is a seminal punk rock record that captures the rebellious spirit and raw energy of the genre.
Question 3:
Which composer is associated with the minimalist music movement?
a) Philip Glass
b) Johann Strauss II
c) Frederic Chopin
d) Igor Stravinsky
Answer: a) Philip Glass
Explanation: Philip Glass is a renowned composer associated with the minimalist music movement. Minimalism is characterized by its repetitive and gradual development of musical ideas, often using simple harmonic and melodic structures. Glass\’s compositions, such as \”Music in Twelve Parts\” and \”Einstein on the Beach,\” exemplify these minimalist principles.
Example 1: Philip Glass\’s composition \”Metamorphosis\” is a prime example of minimalist music, with its repetitive patterns and gradual changes over time.
Example 2: Glass\’s opera \”Satyagraha\” showcases his minimalist approach, using repetitive motifs and slowly evolving textures to create a meditative and contemplative atmosphere.
Question 4:
Which technique involves manipulating recorded sounds to create new musical compositions?
a) Musique concrète
b) Atonality
c) Serialism
d) Impressionism
Answer: a) Musique concrète
Explanation: Musique concrète is a technique that involves manipulating recorded sounds, often from everyday objects or natural sources, to create new musical compositions. This technique was pioneered by Pierre Schaeffer in the 1940s and expanded the possibilities of music by incorporating non-traditional sounds.
Example 1: Pierre Schaeffer\’s composition \”Étude aux chemins de fer\” is a seminal work in musique concrète, as it features sounds recorded from trains and railway tracks transformed into a musical composition.
Example 2: The Beatles\’ song \”Revolution 9\” incorporates musique concrète elements, with manipulated sound recordings and collages of various noises to create an experimental and avant-garde piece.
Question 5:
Which composer is known for his use of extended techniques on traditional instruments?
a) John Zorn
b) Franz Joseph Haydn
c) Antonio Vivaldi
d) Johann Pachelbel
Answer: a) John Zorn
Explanation: John Zorn is known for his innovative use of extended techniques on traditional instruments, particularly in his compositions for saxophone. He explores unconventional sounds and techniques such as multiphonics, slap-tonguing, and circular breathing, pushing the boundaries of what is traditionally expected from these instruments.
Example 1: Zorn\’s composition \”Spillane\” for alto saxophone and chamber ensemble showcases his use of extended techniques, with the saxophonist employing multiphonics and altissimo register to create a wide range of sounds.
Example 2: In Zorn\’s piece \”Godard\”, he utilizes slap-tonguing on the saxophone, creating percussive and staccato-like sounds that add a unique texture to the music.