The Omniscient Mussel » Weeks 11-20

Quiz #25 First Clue Set

Miss Mussel — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:04:21 +0000

Ok folks…it’s time for the first set of clues.

Have another listen and contemplate the following clues. You can to go to your Zen place and wait for the answer to come to you or just invite your dad over for dinner. That strategy has worked for one guesser so far, so anything is possible.

The composer’s father was an established publisher of religious music and thought the trombone was too evil an instrument for a righteous person to play.

The composer fell in love with an exotic dancer to whom he proposed via mail. [not really a clue but too great to leave out]

This piece was a favourite of John Phillips Sousa

The compoaser was president of the American Bandmasters Association from 1941 to 1946.

Ask your friends who were band geeks in college. They’ll sort you out after listening to 3 or 4 beats.

If you need to phone a friend, try this person, or this one, or maybe this one.

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Oops…

Miss Mussel — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:01:55 +0000

In her hurry to get the quiz winner announced, Miss Mussel forgot to mention who the performers were. The recording, selected by Quiz #19 winner Michael Monroe, was a Naxos recording, which is available here should it not already be a part of your library.

Notice anything interesting about the personnel?
Here’s a hint: The pianist released the album pictured below late last year.

Miss Mussel isn’t so taken with recordings on the whole but this one has her ear quite firmly in hand. To be perfectly honest, she is falling over herself to think of the superlative superlative with which to describe the album. Pick it up when you order the Poulenc. You will not be disappointed.

This video was on the blog circuit when the album was first released but here it is again just in case you missed it.

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Quiz #20: Pencils Down. That Includes You At The Back As Well.

Miss Mussel — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:55:16 +0000

Another perfect summer day here in this corner of the universe. The temperature is a perfectly civilized 19 degrees which is making Miss Mussel’s heart nearly burst for joy. That special Southern Ontario brand of oppressive humidity and a jump of 10 degrees is coming at the weekend. Ugh.

Quite a few people wrote in this week with the correct answer but the person whose name was drawn first out of the Official OM Seed Corn Hat was: Ian Goh. Well done to you, sir.

The mystery piece was Poulenc’s Sonata for Violin and Piano Op 119.

Reader Philip sends in the following: “[The sonata] was composed, after much badgering on the part of Ginette Neveu, over 1942 and 1943. It was published in 1944, but Poulenc revised it in 1949 in light of Neveu’s performances and suggestions made by her, and it was republished the same year. Poulenc himself still thought it was a pretty dismal effort. It was dedicated to Federico Garcia Lorca, which accounts for the very vaguely Spanish parts.”

So there you have it.

A bit of a trick in the first batch of clues. Miss Mussel said the piece was published in the same year FDR was elected. Your choices were 1932, 1936, 1940 and 1944. The last one is correct.

The composers posse mentioned in the second batch of clues was none other than Les Six.

According to Darius Milhaud, “[Collet] chose six names absolutely arbitrarily, those of Auric, Durey, Honegger, Poulenc, Tailleferre and me simply because we knew each other and we were pals and appeared on the same musical programmes, no matter if our temperaments and personalities weren’t at all the same! Auric and Poulenc followed ideas of Cocteau, Honegger followed German Romanticism, and myself, Mediterranean lyricism! (Ivry 1996)”

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Quiz #20 Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:19:53 +0000

Twelve hours remaining folks. All three movements are now on the player, so have a listen while you peruse the second batch of clues and then send your guesses to hello@theomniscientmussel.com. Or just listen and wait until tomorrow for the answer.

In keeping with the theme of this quiz so far, Miss Mussel is happy to report that the temperature today is a quite satisfactory 21 degrees.

And now the clues:
1) The sonata was commissioned/badgered out of [composer's name redacted] by Ginette Neveu.
2) The composer is better known for his chamber music for wind instruments
3) Our mystery man was placed in a composers posse by critic Henri Collet who referred to them as…well, the name he made up for them. Here’s a hint: It wasn’t Les Quarante Dix-Sept.

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Quiz #20 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:06:55 +0000

Good news on the A/C front: Miss Mussel scored a housesitting gig for the next three weeks. In exchange for doling out half a cup of cat food twice daily and changing a bit of litter, she gets to enjoy living in an artificial icebox. The temperature is meant to drop 10 degrees this week but that’s ok. There is also a giant television and a Wii. If blog posting is patchy this week, you’ll know Miss Mussel is on her way to becoming a MarioKart champion.

Another track has been added to the player for your listening enjoyment.

Here is the first set of clues:
1) The piece is dedicated to Frederico Garcia Lorca
2) The composer was uncomfortable writing for solo strings and had destroyed two violin sonatas before settling on this one.
3) In the year this piece was published, Franklin Roosevelt won the US Presidential Election.

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Quiz #20

Miss Mussel — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:04:56 +0000

We’ve made it folks….twenty whole weeks of quizzy fun. Thanks to readers that have been kind enough to write in and to say they’ve added some of the pieces to their collection after hearing them here. Miss Mussel’s cockles are duly warmed since that lofty ideal was the principal reason for starting The Weekly Quiz in the first place.

All this sharing [not like that, RIAA] is as much Web 2.0 as it is a primal urge. Music is nothing if it is not shared. After all, how much greater is a great moment when someone else grasps its…erm… greatness?

communal/community/communicate/dot com - it’s far to late in the night to delve into a Latin root discussion. You can fill in the blanks for yourself while you try to avoid starting work for the day.

And now, this week’s mystery piece as chosen by the winner of Quiz #18 Michael Monroe.

Clues and another movement on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Write in with your answer before midnight EST Wednesday and your name will be put into the Official OM Seed Corn Hat. As if that wasn’t honour enough, one name will actually be drawn from said Official Hat, which will entitle the person registered to that name to a $20 credit at Arkiv or a chance to choose an upcoming mystery piece.

Miss Mussel is after name of composer, name of piece and year of composition. Any other pertinent facts/anecdotes are most welcome.

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Quiz #19 Envelope Please

Miss Mussel — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:38:17 +0000

Five foot French windows overlooking the city centre are lovely except that when they were installed 150 years ago, there was no such thing as an air conditioner. Now that air conditioners are everywhere, there is no such thing as five foot French windows. Circle. Square.

Muggy summer in Southern Ontario started yesterday and it is all Miss Mussel can do to keep hydrated and pray for a breeze. One small bonus is that since there aren’t any screens and all the windows are flung wide open, it is possible to work on a tan while watching television.

The mystery piece this week, which admittedly wasn’t that much of a mystery, was the third Brandenburg Concerto by JS Bach BWV 1048 composed sometime before 1721. As near as Miss Mussel can make out, this is a re-issue of a 1984 recording originally issued on Erato.

Provenance aside, it’s quite a good recording with loads of shading, character and fancy Baroque stylings. It’s not available through Arkiv, so you’ll have to head to the jungle to make it part of your library. Even though the US dollar seems to be going the way of the ruble, £5 won’t put too big a dent in your wallet.

If £5 is a dealbreaker or you just can’t wait for the mail, Reader Roger informs us that there is a free, legally downloadable set available from Czech radio.

The Winner: The name that emerged first from the OM Seed Corn Hat was Maurizio Ricci.
The Prize: $20 credit at Arkiv or a chance to choose the mystery piece for an upcoming quiz.

To solve the clues: The six Brandenburg Concertos are concerti grossi, which means there are several soloists that sit in the orchestra. Their parts are not just obligatti, since the soloists are responsible for melodic material, rather than over-the-top decoration.

The catalogue number - BWV 1048 - is the same as the year of Oslo’s founding or thereabouts. That fount of all knowledge Wikipedia is less than clear on this. The structure of architectural and historical significance that shares a name with the Concerto is, of course, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Thanks to all that participated this week. There’s real cracker coming on Monday for the 20th quiz chosen by the winner of Quiz #17 Michael Monroe. As an advance for weekend readers, buy a violinist friend a drink tomorrow and you’ll have a favour to call in when you need it.

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Quiz #19 Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:54:49 +0000

Since this clue is posted so late in the day, the closing date for entries will be moved to midnight on Thursday 5th June.

Another track has been added to the player.

The clues are:
1) There is a structure of architectural and historical significance in Berlin that shares a name with this piece and its five cousins.
2) Miss Mussel has had some personal interaction with the composer.
3) If the catalogue number is read as a date, it is the year Oslo was founded.

Quiz #19 Clue One

Quiz #19 Envelope Please

Quiz #19

Quiz #19 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:00:05 +0000

After a run of tricky mystery pieces, Miss Mussel has been trying to lob a few softballs in your direction these last couple of weeks. So far, it seems that she has failed utterly. Or, now that the academic year and concert season is over, most of you have traded in your internet addiction for summer relaxation-type activities. Why go to the beach when you can hang out on the internet with a maguerita, or read blogs in Hawaiian print surf shorts?

Here’s the first batch of clues:

1) The composer has a one syllable surname
2) The piece is in a form that is no longer used, except when composers want to reference something really old-fashioned.
3) There are five other pieces in the set.

Yesterday’s sunny optimism has been overtaken by a dreary grey sky. As such, the next movement added to the player is perfect for reflecting on the meaning of life and other activities of the navel gazing variety. If it all proves to be too much, just flick back to Track I and toe tap that introspection away.

Send your answer when you get it.
Further clues and another movement tomorrow.

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Quiz #19

Miss Mussel — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:14:30 +0000

It’s a beautiful spring day here at OM Headquarters. Miss Mussel is recovering from a cottage weekend that looked more like this than this but even a liberal distribution of black fly and mosquito bites hasn’t dampened her Hooray for Sunshine outlook.

As such, it seems that something a bit jolly is in order for this week.

Readers that write in with the name of the composer, title of piece, and date of composition will have their names put in the Official OM Seed Corn Hat for a chance to win either a $20 credit at Arkiv Music or the option of choosing the rep for an upcoming quiz.

Grab a cold beverage, crank up the stereo and get started on your ear tan with these rays of aural sunshine.

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Quiz #18: Better Late Than Never

Miss Mussel — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:18:20 +0000

Ok folks….the results of the 18th OM Quiz are finally in. Your patient waiting is much appreciated, especially if you were one of those that answered in the first hour of posting.

The answer: Rachmaninoff Preludes Op 32 No. 12 in G sharp minor composed in 1910
The artist: Young Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen
The contest winner: Michael Monroe of MMMusing
The prize: A choice of $20 credit at Arkiv or a chance to select the mystery piece for an upcoming quiz.

Thanks to all that participated. The audio for Quiz #19 will be up shortly. In the meantime, go have a laugh.

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Quiz #18 Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:14:43 +0000

Last day to get your guesses in folks, although there are still 13 hours remaining til the midnight EST deadline, so that should be plenty of time.

Have a listen while you work out the following clues.
1) The composer’s handspan was the subject of an article in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in October 2006.
2) He gave his last concert in Knoxville in 1943
3) The piece shares a key signature with the opus mate it is closest to.

If you still need help, there are plenty of piano types who can give you a hand.

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Quiz #18 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:07:01 +0000

A few correct guesses so far but still plenty of time to get your name put in the official OM Seed Corn Hat with a chance at the prize.

Here are the clues:
1) The composer failed his general subject exams at the Conservatory
2) The piece was completed along with its 12 opus mates in the same year Edward VII died and Peter Pears was born.

Have a listen and send along your guess.

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Quiz #18

Miss Mussel — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:29:41 +0000

Happy long weekend to those readers tuning in from America and the UK. The idea of a Bank Holiday has long been a source of confusion, since it has been Miss Mussel’s experience that British banks are permanently on holiday. If you should enter a bank during its “opening hours” [10pm-3pm M-F], it is unlikely that you will find any actual work taking place.

The following is not a dramatization:

Miss M: Hello, I would like a money order please.
Bank Employee: Very well then, for how much?
MM: 12 Canadian dollars
BE: Ok, good. There will be a service charge of £7.50 for that.
MM: [suppresses pained look] Fine
BE: Erm…ok. When would you like it?
MM: What do you mean, when would I like it?
BE: When would you like the bankers draft?
MM: [pauses to be sure her leg is not being pulled] Uh…now?
BE: [chuckles nervously] I’m afraid that’s not possible. The earliest we could manage it is tomorrow afternoon but I can’t guarantee it.
MM: Can’t you just do it right now, since I’m standing here?
BE: No. I’m sorry. It’s not my department. Naomi does those and she’s not in today.
MM: [trying to work out if she has inadvertently entered the twilight zone] Right then. I’ll take some more time off work and come back tomorrow before three. Should I ring before I come?
BE: That would be best, yes.

Total cost of money order including admin fees, time off work and bus fare: £25 or nearly $60.

Here’s the mystery piece for the week. Send along the name of composer, title of piece and date of composition when you get it. Clues will be given on Tues and Weds. All correct answers received before midnight on Weds will be entered into a draw for a $20 credit at Arkiv Music or a chance to choose the piece for an upcoming quiz.

All the best!

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Quiz #17: The Moment You’ve All Been Waiting For

Miss Mussel — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:06:30 +0000

Roger Miller was the first name to emerge from the OM Seed Corn Hat this week, which means he has won his choice of a $20 credit at Arkiv or the chance to choose the rep for an upcoming quiz.
Elaine Fine and William Hughes also wrote in with the correct answer: Erich Korngold’s Narrenleider (Songs of the Clown) Op 29 composed in 1937 and given its first premiere in 1941.

Further information about these songs is a little thin on the ground. This recording was an iTunes gift, so Miss Mussel is without liner notes from which to crib elegant and witty prose. Also, for the first time in a while, the intertubes have come up dry. Groves, Naxos and even Wikipedia (gasp!) were no help at all. Instead, we’ll just go through the clues.

1) Korngold’s champion, Jessica Duchen wrote a biography of this most fascinating composer for Phaidon.

2) Robin Hood saved his life — In 1938, Korngold was conducting opera in Austria when he was asked by Warner Bros. to come back to Hollywood and compose a score for their new (and very expensive) film The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn. He agreed and returned by ship. Shortly after he arrived in California, the Anschluss took place and the condition of Jews in Austria became very perilous. Korngold later would say the film score of The Adventures of Robin Hood saved his life. (See the Robin Hood Collectors Edition on DVD for details.)

3) The songs, as far as this bivalve can tell, are settings of text from Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night. The characters in the clues were Malvolio, Sir Toby Belch and Viola.

The singer was Anne Sofie von Otter with Bengt Forsberg on keys. Buy the album here.

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Quiz #17 Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:42:54 +0000

Morning folks. Three more songs have been added to the player. A bit of lyric googling should get you fairly close to the answer if the following clues don’t float your boat.

1) The superfan mentioned in yesterday’s clues is none other than Jessica Duchen.
2) The composer wrote mostly film music and is only recently receiving the acclaim he never got while alive.
3) The songs are settings from the Shakespeare play featuring a guy in yellow tights, another with the surname Belch and a girl named for a musical instrument.

Answers accepted today until midnight EST.

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Quiz #17 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 20 May 2008 05:40:37 +0000

Another song has been added to the player. One person has written in with the correct answer but not to worry, there are still two more days to work it out.

Here are today’s clues:
1) The composer has an enthusiastic champion in classical music blog community
2) ‘Robin Hood’ saved his life.
3) The year in which the song set was composed was also the year Howard Hughes set a new air record by flying from Los Angeles to New York City in 7 hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.

The OM Inbox awaits your reply.

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Quiz #17

Miss Mussel — Mon, 19 May 2008 05:38:21 +0000

It’s the first long weekend of the summer in Ontario and people are busy opening pools and cottages, planting gardens and enjoying the few weeks remaining until the lawn turns brown. Never one to let down her loyal readers, she had selected a seasonally appropriate song for this week. Others will follow along with the clues on Tues and Weds. We’ve had several opera selections on the OM Quiz, but not much lieder.

Have a listen and send in your thoughts on the composer, name of piece and date of composition. Any factoids/anecdotes you wish to share will be welcomed with open arms. Special points given if you can guess the performer.

All those who write in with the correct answer by midnight (GMT-5) Weds will have their name placed in the official OM Seed Corn Hat. The person whose name is removed from the hat first will receive a chance to choose the piece for a forthcoming quiz, a $20 gift certificate for Arkiv music or a completely made-up prize.

Enjoy!

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Quiz #16: Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Champion Is….

Miss Mussel — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:51:11 +0000

Daniel J Liss, who wrote in with Bzicem Kunia from Pieśni kurpiowskie by Karol Szymanowski. For those readers not up on the Kurpian dialect, that’s Whip The Horse from the Kurpie Songs. Whatever your language preferences, the songs were written in 1928–9.

Many of you wrote in confounded by the piece’s provenance but loving the music. Since the quiz was so difficult this week, it seems only fair to mention that the other people who guess correctly were Roger Miller and Philip Amos. Here’s where you can get a copy of the recording. The choir is Camerata Silesia, conducted by Anna Szostak.

Reader William Hughes, who chose this week’s mystery piece as the prize for winning Quiz #14, studied Szymanowski for his PhD and says of the Kurpian Songs, “[They are] a good example of Szymanowski composing in a more light-hearted vein, from a work which deserves to be more better known.” A sentiment with which Miss Mussel is sure we are all in agreeance.

Note to Daniel: Aside from the satisfaction of being the Grand Master of Quiz #16, you have won a gift certificate from Arkiv Music.

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Quiz #16 Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:59:21 +0000

A couple of you are heading in the rightish direction with Bartok and Kodaly but neither of them is right.

The composer in question did, however,
1) die in Switzerland.
2) come into this world in the same year as Stravinsky
3) set his second opera in Sicily

He also wrote this, which is the mystery piece this week.

Special bonus clue for those that have absolutely no idea:
1) It was written over two years, During one, there was a bit of a to do in the stock market. And by to do, Miss Mussel means total meltdown.

Good luck! Guesses here.

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Quiz #16 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:03:09 +0000

Bit of a tricky one this week. The first two clues are courtesy of William.

1) The composer’s birthplace is no longer within the borders of his home country.
2) The composer later became actively interested in the folk music traditions of his country.
3) The song is part of a larger set.

Have another listen. The OM Inbox awaits your guess.

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Quiz #16 Special Guest Edition

Miss Mussel — Mon, 12 May 2008 04:56:54 +0000

William Hughes won Quiz #14 (the one about the clarinet) two weeks ago, and for his trouble, Miss Mussel decided to let him choose the mystery piece for a future Quiz installment.

Have a listen to William’s suggestion and get those guesses in.

As usual, clues will be provided on Tues and Weds, with the winner drawn out of the pool of correct responses.

All you need to do to is send a note with the name of the composer, name of piece and year of composition.

All the best for this week and remember phoning a friend is encouraged.

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Quiz #15 Philip Amos, COME ON DOWN!

Miss Mussel — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:44:12 +0000

You’re the next winner of the OM Quiz! [cue thunderous applause]
Ah…Rod Roddy…those were the days. (relive them here and here and here).

The Answer: Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No.1 Op.11 composed in 1882/1883
The Prize: $20 Gift Certificate for Arkiv Music.
The Recording: Hermann Baumann Strauss Concertos 1&2 and Weber Concertino Op 45.

Thanks to everyone that participated this week. Come back next week to hear what Quiz #14 winner William Hughes has selected as the Quiz #16 mystery. Heres a hint: be nice to your choir friends this weekend….you might need them. Now onto a bit of information about Op.11.

This concerto and the Mozarts are standard rep for horn players. Strauss’ father Franz was the first horn player in Wagner’s orchestra. The men hated each other but Franz was widely acknowledged to be without peer as a player, a circumstance that got much of his grumpy behaviour excused. Proving that hatred is passion just as much as love is, Strauss delivered first rate performances in each of Wagner’s premieres despite his fondness for referring to the composer as Mephistopheles.

Of the two concertos Richard wrote for horn, this youthful effort is Miss Mussel’s favourite. It’s only about 15 minutes long, and much less ambitious than it’s younger cousin. In fact, the pieces make an interesting pair of bookends to Strauss’ career. The first was written in 1882/1883 when he was 18 and the second four years before his death in 1945 at the grand old age of 85.

Because of his father, Richard had real affection for the instrument and wrote well for it. The hours of practicing he heard would have most certainly made him aware, if only subconsciously, of the instrument’s strengths and colours.

The second concerto is more technically challenging, far more lushly orchestrated and reflective of the tone poems and operas that came before it. Op.11 on other hand, owes a large debt to the Beethoven and Mozart so highly revered by his father, a man who thought anything after Beethoven 7 was too modern. Although his stubbornness was likely highly irritating at the time, Franz’ unwavering commitment to the Mozart-Beethoven-Haydn trinity is rather endearing in retrospect.

In the rare instances when horn concertos are played, soloists often opt for the second concerto if they’re not playing Mozart because it is a sort of benchmark in the horn world. Everyone plays the first one in high school and university but it is only those who are “really good” that master number two.

It’s five minutes longer (an eternity for a brass player) and the phrases seem to last forever but for this bivalve’s money, the final coda section of the first concerto is the more exciting finale….or at least it was when Miss Mussel would get excited and take off on her accompanist. It starts off like a typical third movement rondo and then out of nowhere…opera! Then, it’s a thistle to the horse and it’s off like a shot in a race to the finish!

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Quiz #15 Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:56:58 +0000

Last day for guessing folks. The movements are now in the correct order and the OM Inbox is open for responses until roughly midnight EST.

1) The composer shares a surname with another famous composer (and his father) but they are not related.
2) He also shares a first name with a man who is best known for stating “I am not a crook.”
3) This is not the composer’s only horn concerto.

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Quiz #15 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:59:46 +0000

There have been some correct answers thus far by a few eagle-eared readers but there is still hope for those that haven’t guessed yet.

The OM Quiz is moving permanently to a draw format. It seems this is the most fair system since it removes time zones out of the equation (equasion?) as well as giving those who maybe don’t recognize the piece right away a chance to win.

So, without further adieu, here are today’s clues:
1) The composer had a mustache
2) The piece is core rep for the instrument, so if you know any horn players they’ll be able to give you a hand.
3) It isn’t the Weber Concertino, although that is a decent guess.

Also, another track has been added. The OM Inbox is awaiting your guess.

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Quiz #15

Miss Mussel — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:35:00 +0000

Hello all!

There’s a real gem on tap this week. Miss Mussel is on the fence as to the response she’ll get for this one. Last week’s Debussy proved that her judgment in these matters is not to be trusted. The Rhapsody had languished in the OM iTunes for four years without a single hearing, so she figured it had for others as well. Looks like assuming really does what Miss Mussel’s short shorts wearing Grade 8 math teacher said it does. Ew.

Have a listen and write in with the composer, name of piece and date of composition when you get it.

Clues coming tomorrow and continuing until Weds.

Bonne chance a tout!

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Quiz #14: Prize Awarded (Now With Answer)

Miss Mussel — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:12:41 +0000

UPDATE:Huge thanks to reader Celeste for pointing out that Miss Mussel actually forgot to give the answer in the original post. A thousand apologies to all those left hanging in suspense all this time. The mystery piece is Rhapsodie pour orchestre et clarinette principale by Debussy. Also known as Premiere Rhapsody, the piece was composed in 1910 for piano and clarinet and then orchestrated in 1911. The recording used is this one, with George Pieterson playing the solo part. It’s two discs for the price of one. How can you resist?

Miss Mussel moved the goalposts halfway through this week’s contest and decided, due to the volume of responses, that a draw was in order. Since no objections were voiced yesterday, she is going to assume that no one’s panties are in a bunch.

Follow the drama of the draw in this Pulitzer Prize grade photoessay. (Thank you Photobooth)

THE SHORT LIST
(aka everyone who guessed correctly)

THE OFFICIAL OM SEED CORN HAT

THE WINNER

THE PRIZE
William Hughes, MegaRuler of Quiz #14, gets to choose the piece for an upcoming quiz. Hurrah!

Thanks to all that participated this week and a shout out to all those that listened but were not up on clarinet rep. Next week just might be your week to shine.

Until then, adieu and bon weekend from the OM Quiz.

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Quiz #14 Clue 2

Miss Mussel — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:44:25 +0000

Last day to get your clues in for the draw. There is a prize this week, so it’s worth throwing your hat in the ring.

Listen to the mystery and have a look at the new clues.
1) The original piano/clarinet version was written as a test piece for students at the Paris Conservatoire
2) Pierre Boulez wrote of the piece “Often the secondary or minor works [of a major composer]…interest me more than the major works of a minor composer…I cannot help thinking that a great composer also reveals himself — and often most engagingly — in the works that seem like snapshots of the family rather than in the formal portraits done for posterity. This is how I like to think of [the mystery piece]…”
3) If you are still having trouble working it out, ask this guy.

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Quiz #14 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:44:14 +0000

Ok! A record number of responses so far, all correct. And here Miss Mussel thought she had discovered something completely obscure. Obviously, she has not accompanied years worth of clarinet students.

Since there have been so many correct answers in such a short time, Miss Mussel is inclined to have the winner drawn out of a hat. Anyone who has already written in have any objections? Should this be a permanent system rather than first past the post? Your input is appreciated.

Now on to the clues for those that haven’t yet narrowed it down.

1) The year the piece was composed started on a Friday
2) The composer’s prime model for orchestration was Weber
3) It is not a concerto.

Listen again here.

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Quiz #14

Miss Mussel — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:15:26 +0000

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING QUIZ FAAAAAAAANS!
Last time Miss Mussel was this obnoxious, it was due to a post-Lenten intake of Coca-Cola products. This time it’s an expression of the manic week coming up. At its apex, it will reach Teachout levels of busyness.

It was lovely to see all the participation last week. Miss Mussel is glad that you all enjoyed it so much. In fact, it warmed the cockles of her heart, if indeed a bivalve can possess the very thing that it is.

For those that prefer to leave such existential matters til at least after lunch, here is this week’s mystery piece.

Compose, title and date of composition to hello@theomniscientmussel.com will put you in the running to be the MegaRuler of OM Quiz #14. There is also an actual prize for the winner this week, so get those guesses in.

Clues daily.

Best of luck!

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Quiz #13 Victory Lap Awarded

Miss Mussel — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:37:34 +0000

The champion of Quiz #13 and boss of the piano for the next 36 hours is Jessica Duchen who wrote in with Romanze Op 28 No.2 by Robert Schumann. It was composed in 1839 as part of a 3 work set called Drei Romanzen. The pieces are linked by key, starting with B flat minor and sections in F sharp major and E flat minor, followed by F sharp major and B major and are meant to be played as a group.

The pianist is the up and coming Sarah Hagen from Vancouver Island. Listen to her play another of Schumann’s thought fragments, aka Papillons, as well as three Rachmaninoff Preludes.

John Daverio speculates in Grove’s that Schumann’s fondness for Op 28 was “perhaps rooted in its special relationship to Clara. The second of her own three Romances (completed in early 1839) features a variety of duet textures that Schumann emulated in the F [sic] major Romanze (no.2) of his cycle.”

The very first clue of the week stated that the composer shared a name with the person responsible for The Rest Is Noise, Alex Ross. Some sources list Schumann’s second name as Alexander but, as Reader Wayne has pointed out, the additional name cannot be substantiated. Schumann’s birth and death certificates list only Robert as a forename. One idea is that Alexander is a corruption of his teenaged literary pseudonym Skülander.

For those that are really dying to know, here’s how to solve the algebra problem given in the first set of clues:

12+3x(6)=4x-2
12+18x=4x-2
12+18x+2=4x-2+2
14+18x=4x
14+18x-18x=4x-18x
14=-14x
x= -1
Just like old times….caught out by the negative sign. The answer was supposed to be 1. Sigh.

That’s all for this week, folks. Til Monday, adieu and bon weekend from the OM Quiz.

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Quiz #13 Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:58:33 +0000

Have another listen to this week’s mystery piece while ruminating on these clues:
1) In the year the piece was composed, slaves rebelled on Amistad, Verdi’s first opera premiered in Milan and Charles Goodyear vulcanized rubber.
2) In his youth, the composer wrote under the name Skülander
3) He wrote the review of the posthumous premiere of Schubert’s Symphony in C D944 with a steel pen he found on Beethoven’s grave.

PS: A warm OM welcome to readers arriving via Jessica Duchen and The Walrus. Thanks for stopping by. There is a new quiz each week. Add The Omniscient Mussel to your feedreader or subscribe via email to make sure you don’t miss it.

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Quiz #13 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:18:16 +0000

1) The composer shares a name with the man responsible for The Rest Is Noise.
2) His compositions have been described as ‘thought splinters.’
3) If you solve for x, and add 27, you’ll have the opus number….at least Miss Mussel is fairly certain you will. High school is starting to meld into the fog already encompassing early childhood.
12+3x(6)=4x-2

Have another listen and get those guesses in

More clues tomorrow! Don’t worry, advanced math skills will not be required.

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Quiz #13

Miss Mussel — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:18:49 +0000

Morning all,

There’s quite an exciting treat in store for later on in the week. Actually more than one, but first it’s time for piano fans to race for a spot at the top of the quiz podium.

This week’s prize: being able to say that you are the boss of the piano. [title expires 36 hours after award]

Ready? On your mark, get set, GO!

For readers new to the OM Quiz, Miss Mussel is after name of piece, composer and date of composition. Bonus factoids/anecdotes about the piece are welcome as well. Clues will be given each day until someone writes in with the correct answer. Send your guesses here.

Good luck and remember, phoning a friend is allowed.
Suggested friends: Jeremy Denk, Chris Foley, Jessica Duchen

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Quiz #12: L’enfant et les Sortilèges

Miss Mussel — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:38:32 +0000

Ladies and gents, Miss Mussel is proud to announce the winner of Quiz #12 is Roger Miller, who wrote in with the correct answer, bonus factoids and YouTube links. The bar has most definitely been raised. Well done.
As you have probably already worked out, the opera in question is ‘L’enfant et les sortilèges’ by Maurice Ravel, libretto by Colette. It was composed between 1920 and 1925 as a sort of children’s fantasy. Despite fantastically imaginative music, the opera is rarely performed problems with staging a fantasy where suspension of disbelief does not require the ingestion of mind-altering, most likely illegal substances.. A quick look at the synopsis and character list will reveal why.

The character in common from Pee Wee’s playhouse is Chairry. (chair action begins at 4:10)

As as special treat for OM readers Miss Mussel has uploaded the entire opera for your listening pleasure. It’s about an hour long and contains music that you would likely never hear otherwise. Listen as many times as you like but please take the high road and buy a recording if you like it rather than capturing the audio on your computer. [Insert lecture about long tail, supporting fellow artists, are you really going to miss $20? etc].

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Quiz #12: Clue Two

Miss Mussel — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:50:50 +0000

Another selection has been added to the player. Here are some additional clues:

1) The moral of the story is that being nice is better than being petulant.
2) One of the characters is a squirrel.
3) The composer started many other operas but only completed one other.

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Quiz #12: Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:50:50 +0000

Holy forgot to post the clues Batman! Miss Mussel is blaming jetlag. A new track has been added to help you on your quest to be the champion of Quiz #12.

Here, at long last, are the clues for today. If you’re reading from Yurp, you’ll probably get two days worth with your breakfast tomorrow.

1) The composer never quite recovered from his mother’s death.
2) The opera has been performed 31 times at the Met over 4 seasons
3) The opera has a character in common with PeeWee’s Playhouse.

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Quiz #12: Calling All Opera Fans

Miss Mussel — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:22:46 +0000

This week’s selection starts out with a bang, so you may want to have your hand on the volume knob if you’re in a public place. On second thought, it could be kind of fun to see everyone in the computer lab jump at once.

Send a note with the composer, name of aria, name of opera and date of composition to hello@theomniscientmussel.com. Feel free to include any other facts you know about the piece or a story about a performance you attended/participated in/heard about.

We’ll go back to the first past the post system for this week unless anyone has major objections.
Clues will be given daily until someone writes in with the answer.

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Quiz #11: The Winner Is

Miss Mussel — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:18:07 +0000

Roger Miller with: Invanno Alvaro ti celasti al mondo from La forza del destino by Verdi first performed in November 1862.

This week’s bonus challenge was to identify the singers. Roger was bang on with Pavarotti and gets an A for effort for his Youtube-researched answers of Hvorostovsky or Piero Cappuccilli.

The mystery baritone is, in fact, Leo Nucci singing with Pavarotti on this album available at your friendly neighbourhood record shop or Amazon.

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Quiz #11 Clue One

Miss Mussel — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:19:47 +0000

A few answers have trickled in but since it’s a draw this week, there is still plenty of time to send in your guess.

Here are a few clues:

1) The opera was first performed in Russia.
2) One of the singers died less than a year ago.
3) The composer wrote more than 25 operas over the course of his career.

Listen again and keep on guessing!