Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach (Germany — 1721) — Questions and answers

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What masterpiece did Johann Sebastian Bach finish writing in 1721?

Choices

  1. A. A long storybook
  2. B. A beautiful painting
  3. C. The Brandenburg Concertos ✓
  4. D. A new type of instrument

Answer: C. The Brandenburg Concertos

From page 1

What new idea about instruments did Bach talk about with his cousin Johann in Weimar?

Choices

  1. A. How to build an organ
  2. B. Weaving different instrument sounds together like a debate ✓
  3. C. What Vivaldi's favorite food was
  4. D. How to play the violin very fast

Answer: B. Weaving different instrument sounds together like a debate

From page 2

What did Prince Leopold say about Bach's music one day?

Choices

  1. A. "This music makes me sleepy."
  2. B. "I've never heard music that dances so joyfully." ✓
  3. C. "It needs more singing."
  4. D. "It is too quiet."

Answer: B. "I've never heard music that dances so joyfully."

From page 3

What did the Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt ask Bach for after hearing his music?

Choices

  1. A. A new suit of clothes
  2. B. Some of his compositions ✓
  3. C. A pet bird
  4. D. A lesson in playing the organ

Answer: B. Some of his compositions

From page 4

Which special instrument did Bach use for the first time in the third Brandenburg Concerto?

Choices

  1. A. A very large drum
  2. B. A tiny trumpet
  3. C. The violino piccolo ✓
  4. D. A singing voice

Answer: C. The violino piccolo

From page 5

What happened to the Brandenburg Concertos right after Bach wrote them?

Choices

  1. A. They were played every day for everyone to hear.
  2. B. They were published and sold all over the world.
  3. C. They stayed in the Margrave's library and were mostly not performed. ✓
  4. D. Bach became very famous for them right away.

Answer: C. They stayed in the Margrave's library and were mostly not performed.

From page 7

When were the Brandenburg Concertos rediscovered and recognized as masterpieces?

Choices

  1. A. During Bach's lifetime
  2. B. In the 19th century ✓
  3. C. Last year
  4. D. Many hundreds of years ago

Answer: B. In the 19th century

From page 8

How do the Brandenburg Concertos still help musicians and composers today?

Choices

  1. A. They teach them how to bake cakes.
  2. B. They inspire new ideas and guide them in their music. ✓
  3. C. They show them how to build instruments.
  4. D. They tell funny stories.

Answer: B. They inspire new ideas and guide them in their music.

From page 9