Audio Quiz: Which Composer is This?

Our first composer was born in Poland in 1810. A virtuoso pianist as well as prolific writer of music, he was part of the Romantic movement and his works have a distinctly poetic feel to them. All of his pieces have the piano as a central feature, with many written specifically for solo pianists. 

Do you know which famous Pole we’re listening to?

Chopin's compositions have been performed around the world. He moved to Paris as a young man where he became friends with a host of composers, artists, and authors. His romantic style influenced many of his contemporaries and continues to have an impact on musicians and composers to this day.

The next composer in our quiz was also a pianist. Although he studied music at France’s most prestigious school, success came slowly and it wasn’t until he was almost 40 that he achieved international success with Pelléas et Mélisande, his only complete opera. 


Can you name this late blooming composer?

Born into a relatively non-musical family, Debussy showed musical talent as a young boy. Though it took him a while to find his mature style, Debussy went on to become one of the most influential composers of his time. For many years, the scandals of his private life overshadowed his career. However, the quality of his works won out and today he’s remembered as a ground-breaking composer.

The Blue Danube has to be one of the most recognizable works of the 19th century. Written in 1866 and originally performed with lyrics, it gained huge popularity when it was adapted into an orchestral version for the 1867 Paris World’s Fair. 

Although you might well know the waltz, do you know who created it?

Johann Strauss was born in Vienna in 1825. As well as The Blue Danube, he composed over 500 waltzes, polkas and quadrilles as well as several operettas and a ballet. Strauss’ father, Johan Strauss I, was a well-known composer in his own right, obviously passing his musical talent onto his son who went on to worldwide fame and international renown.

The next composer on our list was making music before many of the others were even born. Active in the late 18th century, he played a huge part in the development of chamber music and is sometimes called ‘the Father of the String Quartet’. A friend and mentor of Mozart, and a tutor of Beethoven, it’s fair to say this composer changed the course of classical music for good. 


Can you name him?

Born in Austria in 1732, Franz Joseph Haydn spent much of his life as court musician to the wealthy Esterházy family at their castle in Hungary. This isolated him from other composers in Europe at the time, something Haydn credits with making him more original than his contemporaries.

Learn more about chamber music here.