Pianomania Quiz: Trivia Questions!

The name 'piano' is a short form of the word 'pianoforte', which means "soft-loud" in Italian. This refers to the instrument's ability to produce a wide range of dynamics, from soft to loud, allowing for contrasting dynamics in music. The piano's unique mechanism of hammers striking strings and the use of pedals contribute to its ability to control the volume and create contrasting dynamics.

The correct answer is Una corda pedal. Grand pianos typically have three pedals, and the una corda pedal is the one located on the left. This pedal is also known as the soft pedal and is used to create a softer and more muted sound by shifting the position of the hammers.

Glenn Gould was most known for interpreting the works of J.S. Bach. He was renowned for his unique and highly acclaimed interpretations of Bach's compositions, particularly his recordings of the Goldberg Variations. Gould's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to bring out the intricate nuances of Bach's music made him one of the greatest interpreters of Bach's works in the 20th century.

The given statement is false because the piano is not a stringed musical instrument. It is actually a percussion instrument. Although it has strings inside, the sound is produced by striking the keys, which then activate hammers that hit the strings. Therefore, the piano does not belong to the string family of instruments.

Bösendorfer is the correct answer because upon Busoni's suggestion, they added extra keys to their pianos. This was because Busoni needed more notes for his transcriptions of J.S. Bach's organ works.

Anne-Sophie Mutter is not a pianist. The other three options, Martha Argerich, Maria João Pires, and Mitsuko Uchida, are all well-known pianists.

Tchaikovsky did not write a composition for piano or piano and orchestra based on Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A minor. Brahms, Liszt, and Rachmaninov all wrote compositions based on this piece.

The statement is false because the use of ivory in piano keys is illegal in many countries due to concerns about animal conservation and ethical issues. Most manufacturers now use synthetic materials or alternatives like plastic or wood to make piano keys.

Ravel wrote his Piano Concerto for the Left Hand because it was commissioned by a pianist who lost his right arm in the First World War.

Lang Lang used an orange to play for fun the Etude Op.10/5 by Chopin, also known as the 'Black Key Study'.

Beethoven is the correct answer because he did not write a concerto for two pianos and orchestra. While Mozart, Poulenc, and Lennox Berkeley all composed concertos for two pianos and orchestra, Beethoven focused more on symphonies, piano sonatas, and other instrumental works, but did not venture into the realm of two-piano concertos.

Artur Rubinstein is the correct answer because he performed in public for eight decades and gave his last concert at London's Wigmore Hall in 1976, at age 89.

Frédéric Chopin dedicated two of his piano works to Baroness Charlotte de Rothschild of the French banking family. Chopin had a close relationship with the Rothschild family, and he dedicated his Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. posth. and his Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38 to the Baroness as a gesture of appreciation and friendship. These compositions showcase Chopin's signature lyrical and expressive style, and they remain beloved pieces in the piano repertoire.

Saint-Saëns included a movement titled 'Pianists' in one of their works to portray pianists, possibly beginners, practicing scales repetitively.

Brahms' Hungarian Dances were originally written for one piano, four hands. This means that two people would play the piano together, with one person playing the lower part of the piano and the other person playing the upper part. The dances were later transcribed for many different instruments, but their original arrangement was for this specific piano duet.

Leopold Godowsky is the correct answer because he wrote a set of 53 arrangements of Chopin's Etudes, which were known for being even more difficult than the original pieces.

The correct answer is crystal. Crystal is a material known for its clarity and brilliance, making it a popular choice for high-end and luxury items. The world's most expensive piano, worth $3.2 million, is made from crystal, showcasing its exquisite craftsmanship and unique design. Crystal is not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable, making it a suitable material for creating intricate musical instruments like pianos. Its high value is attributed to the rarity and quality of the crystal used, as well as the skilled craftsmanship involved in its creation.

Alfred Cortot was a pianist who was highly regarded for his expressiveness and intelligence in his playing. The critic Harold Schoenberg compared Cortot's mistakes to scars or defects in paintings by an old master, implying that even his mistakes were seen as part of his artistic expression and were accepted by the audience. This suggests that Cortot's playing was so exceptional that any imperfections were overshadowed by his overall mastery and artistic brilliance.

Sigismond Thalberg is the correct answer because he was a virtuoso pianist who was a contemporary of Liszt. Chopin described him as someone who pleases the ladies, suggesting that he had a charismatic and appealing personality. Additionally, the statement that Thalberg produces his piano and forte with the pedal rather than the hand implies that he had a unique and distinctive playing style.

The harpsichord and the piano differ in terms of the number of keyboards and the way the sound is produced. Unlike the piano, which typically has one keyboard, the harpsichord can have multiple keyboards. Additionally, the harpsichord produces sound by plucking the strings with quills, while the piano produces sound by striking the strings with hammers.