Classical and Romantic Music

Classical Era

100

• 5. Classical era symphonies typically have how many movements?
  A) 1
  B) 2
  C) 3
  D) 4

D) 4

200

• 2. Which of the following best defines the Classical era's approach to musical form?
  A) Emphasis on free improvisation
  B) Strict adherence to clear, balanced structures
  C) Avoidance of formal structure
  D) Focus on highly dissonant textures

B) Strict adherence to clear, balanced structures

300

• 7. Which of the following is most characteristic of Classical melodies?
  A) Long and irregular
  B) Balanced and symmetrical
  C) Avoidance of repetition
  D) Random and dissonant

B) Balanced and symmetrical

400

• 4. Classical era composers preferred musical textures that were primarily:
  A) Monophonic
  B) Polyphonic
  C) Homophonic
  D) Atonal

C) Homophonic

500

• 6. Sonata form is typically found in which movement of a Classical symphony?
  A) The first
  B) The second
  C) The third
  D) The fourth

A) The first

Romantic Era

100

• 14. Program music refers to:
  A) Music that follows strict classical form
  B) Music designed for television and film
  C) Instrumental music that tells a story or depicts an image
  D) Music written only for piano

C) Instrumental music that tells a story or depicts an image

200

• 12. Romantic music is especially known for its:
  A) Simplicity and strict structure
  B) Mathematical precision
  C) Emotional expression and storytelling
  D) Exclusive use of small ensembles

C) Emotional expression and storytelling

300

• 15. Romantic composers were often inspired by:
  A) Ancient Greek philosophy
  B) Political treatises
  C) Literature, nature, and personal experience
  D) Renaissance church music

C) Literature, nature, and personal experience

400

• 13. Which of the following is a defining feature of Romantic orchestration?
  A) Reduction in the number of instruments
  B) Expanded orchestras with new instrument families
  C) Exclusive use of only strings
  D) Focus on medieval instruments

B) Expanded orchestras with new instrument families

500

• 17. A common Romantic-era musical theme was:
  A) Human emotion and the supernatural
  B) Logical argumentation
  C) The celebration of mathematical order
  D) The rejection of creativity

A) Human emotion and the supernatural

Comparing Eras

100

• 22. In both eras, the symphony remained important, but Romantic composers typically wrote:
  A) Shorter, simpler symphonies than Classical composers
  B) More programmatic and emotionally expansive symphonies
  C) Symphonies only for brass and percussion
  D) Symphonies without dynamic contrast

B) More programmatic and emotionally expansive symphonies

200

• 20. Romantic era composers often pushed the boundaries of:
  A) Melody, harmony, dynamics, and orchestration
  B) Polyphony and counterpoint exclusively
  C) Simplified textures and plain melodies
  D) Avoidance of emotion

A) Melody, harmony, dynamics, and orchestration

300

• 19. Virtuoso performers became cultural icons during the Romantic era. Which characteristic was most celebrated in virtuoso musicians?
  A) Mastery of complex technical skill
  B) Simplicity and restraint
  C) Avoidance of personal interpretation
  D) Use of only folk instruments

A) Mastery of complex technical skill

400

• 21. One major difference between Classical and Romantic music is:
  A) Classical music emphasized emotion more than Romantic music
  B) Romantic music featured more personal expression and emotional intensity
  C) Romantic music had fewer instruments than Classical music
  D) Classical music rejected formal structure, while Romantic music embraced it

B) Romantic music featured more personal expression and emotional intensity

500

• 25. The Classical era focused on __________, while the Romantic era leaned toward __________.
  A) Emotional excess / formal balance
  B) Form and clarity / emotion and expression
  C) Folk music / church music
  D) Modern technology / traditional instruments

B) Form and clarity / emotion and expression

Classical Style

100

• 27. In Classical compositions, which of the following was a common technique to develop a theme?
  A) Improvised ornamentation
  B) Theme and variations
  C) Dodecaphonic serialism
  D) Aleatoric chance operations

B) Theme and variations

200

• 28. In the Classical era, chamber music most often refers to:
  A) Large-scale orchestral works
  B) Music written for a small group of instruments, typically performed in intimate settings
  C) Music for church services only
  D) Improvised jazz ensembles

B) Music written for a small group of instruments, typically performed in intimate settings

300

• 26. The Classical period's emphasis on clear, balanced phrases is most evident in:
  A) Long, wandering melodies
  B) Short, repeated loops
  C) Symmetrical and clearly structured melodies
  D) Avoidance of melodic repetition

C) Symmetrical and clearly structured melodies

400

• 30. Which of the following social changes influenced music during the Classical era?
  A) The rise of the aristocracy as primary patrons
  B) Increased access to concerts for the middle class
  C) The banning of public concerts
  D) Exclusive performance only in royal courts

B) Increased access to concerts for the middle class

500

• 9. In Classical music, dynamics were used:
  A) Rigidly, without variation
  B) To enhance dramatic contrasts (crescendo and decrescendo)
  C) Rarely, as most pieces remained at one volume
  D) Only in choral music

B) To enhance dramatic contrasts (crescendo and decrescendo)

Romantic Style

100

• 18. Which of the following terms is associated with music that explores national identity?
  A) Serialism
  B) Impressionism
  C) Nationalism
  D) Minimalism

C) Nationalism

200

• 32. Romantic composers expanded the role of dynamics, often using:
  A) Extremely limited volume shifts
  B) Gradual and sudden dynamic changes for dramatic effect
  C) Dynamics only in operas
  D) No dynamic markings at all

B) Gradual and sudden dynamic changes for dramatic effect

300

• 34. Which of the following is an example of musical nationalism in the Romantic era?
  A) Avoiding any use of folk melodies
  B) Using melodies and rhythms inspired by a composer’s home country
  C) Writing only for small ensembles
  D) Composing strictly in Latin

B) Using melodies and rhythms inspired by a composer’s home country

400

• 35. The Romantic concept of 'the artist as hero' promoted the idea that:
  A) Music should conform to established rules
  B) Composers were humble servants of the church
  C) The artist's personal vision was central to creativity
  D) All music should be anonymous

C) The artist's personal vision was central to creativity

500

• 33. Which new instrument became a standard part of the orchestra during the Romantic era?
  A) Harpsichord
  B) Synthesizer
  C) Tuba
  D) Lute

C) Tuba