Tchaikovsky
The final ballet he wrote and the most performed to this day, it tells the story of a Christmas dream of a young girl.
The Nutcracker
The Sergei's both left Russia at the start of what historical event?
The Russian Revolution
In which Russian city did the Handful live and collaborate?
St. Petersburg (Petrograd)
The first ballet Stravinsky wrote for the Ballet Russes, it also concluded Disney's Fantasia 2000.
Who was taller, Rachmaninoff or Prokofiev?
Rachy, dude was a tower, but Prokofiev was also taller than most.
Tchaikovsky's famous instrumental work that uses live cannons during the finale.
1812 Overture
Prokofiev was the first major composer to write for this medium/genre.
Film
What was the role of Balakirev amongst the Handful?
He was the "leader" as the seniormost member
“I had only my ears to guide me. I heard and I wrote what I heard. I am the vessel through which _______ passed.” - Stravinsky
The Rite of Spring
Of which work did Rachmaninoff say "This one's for my agent."?
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (specifically the 18th variation)
Tchaikovsky's very first ballet score depicts the lead dancer Odette being cursed by an evil sorcerer.
Swan Lake
Which physical attribute did Rachmaninoff share with Franz Liszt that allowed him to play up to 13ths on the piano?
GIANT HANDS
Orientalism
What is it called when an instrument plays a fragment of music over and over again, creating more of a rhythmic effect than a melodic one?
Ostinato, used extensively during The Rite of Spring
He narrated our version of Peter & The Wolf.
David Bowie
Name three song types Tchaikovsky used in the 1812 Overture.
Orthodox Hymn, Russian National Anthem, Russian Folk Song, bonus: French National Anthem
Which famous work did Rachmaninoff dedicate to his psychiatrist, who helped him overcome his depression and writer's block?
Piano Concerto No. 2
He was the youngest of the Handful and wrote his first symphony aboard a naval vessel.
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Petrushka uses two different key signatures at once inits famous "Petrushka chord", an example of...
Bitonality
Sergei Diaghilev was not a composer. How was he associated with Stravinsky?
He owned the Ballet Russes dance company in Paris and hired Stravinsky to write several ballets.
Tchaikovsky was funded by this wealthy patroness, though she refused to meet in person.
Nadezhda von Meck
List at least two characters in Peter & The Wolf and their associated instrument.
Peter - string section, Bird - flute, duck - oboe, cat - clarinet, grandpa - bassoon, hunters - timpani (kettledrums), wolf - french horns
We previously talked about this member of the handful when we listened to his Pictures at an Exhibition, and he's technically Ukrainian!
Modest Mussorgsky
Who wrote more "Russian" sounding music, Tchaikovsky or Stravinsky?
Stravinsky. Tchaikovsky composed in a very Western European style, even coming into conflict with the Mighty Handful who were pioneering this uniquely Russian sound.
He wrote the Polovtsian Dances
Borodin