Life of Rachmaminov
Musical Terminology
Symphonic Dances
Context
Random Knowledge
100

Rachmaninov was born in what country?

Russia

100

This term refers to a musical composition for an entire orchestra

Symphony

100

This unconventional instrument was used in the piece

Saxaphone

100

Symphonic Dances was composed during this global event, which deeply influenced Rachmaninoff’s outlook

World War 2

100

What animal is known to mimic human voices

Parrot

200

As this was one of his last major works, what country was this piece composed in?

United States

200

What is the term for the speed or pace of music

Tempo

200

This is the major instrument of the piece

Orchestra/Piano

200

The piece premiered in what U.S. city in 1941

New York

200

Who created the theory of relativity

Albert Einstein

300

Rachmaninov immigrated to what country after the russian revolution?

United States

300

The term for a sudden, dramatic change in the volume of music, which is used frequently in Symphonic Dances.

Crescendo/Decrescendo

300

This instrument family is used to create a rich sound in Symphonic Dances

Strings

300

The Symphonic Dances is considered Rachmaninoff's final composition for what type of ensemble

Orchestra

300

What car was used in Back to the Future, and what was the amount of power Doc Brown needed to operate the fluc capacitor


DeLorean/1.21 gigawatts

400

Rachmaninov composed this piece during what year

1940

400

Term for smooth, connected style of playing

Legato

400

Written in this time period, but sounds like this time period

Modern-->Romantic

400

What major event in Russia in 1917 led to Rachmaninoff’s decision to leave his homeland and settle in the West

Russian Revolution

400

This country is the world's largest producer of coffee

Brazil

500

After emigrating to the United States, Rachmaninoff settled in which state, where he spent much of his later years composing and performing

California

500

Term for repeating parts of music at a higher or lower pitch

Transposition

500

In Symphonic Dances, Rachmaninoff often uses this technique, where the music suddenly changes in dynamics, creating dramatic contrasts between sections.

Dynamic Contrasts/changes in dynamics

500

What years did Rachmaninov focus less on composing piano works, and more on orchestra

1930's

500

What is the only letter in the Alphabet NOT to appear in the name of a US state

Q