General Awareness · History

Music History and Composers

3,311 Questions

Music history surveys the evolution of musical compositions, ranging from Renaissance madrigals and Baroque concertos to modern film scores. This topic covers notable composers, iconic operas, and the historical development of musical forms. It frequently appears in the general awareness and cultural sections of competitive exams.

Baroque composersRenaissance madrigalsFilm score composersClassical opera historyJazz and swing era

Music History and Composers Questions

Multiple choice

Who composed the soundtrack for the 2010 DreamWorks animated film How to Train Your Dragon?

  1. John Powell

  2. Hans Zimmer

  3. James Newton Howard

  4. Harry Gregson-Williams
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

John Powell composed the soundtrack for How to Train Your Dragon.

Multiple choice

Who composed the soundtrack for the 2013 DreamWorks animated film Turbo?

  1. Henry Jackman

  2. John Powell

  3. Hans Zimmer

  4. James Newton Howard
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Henry Jackman composed the soundtrack for Turbo.

Multiple choice

Who composed the soundtrack for the 2014 DreamWorks animated film How to Train Your Dragon 2?

  1. John Powell

  2. Hans Zimmer

  3. James Newton Howard

  4. Harry Gregson-Williams
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

John Powell composed the soundtrack for How to Train Your Dragon 2.

Multiple choice

Which of the following composers was known for using music therapy in his compositions?

  1. Ludwig van Beethoven

  2. Franz Schubert

  3. Robert Schumann

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann were all known for using music therapy in their compositions.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the composer who is considered to be the founder of the Ars Nova?

  1. Guillaume de Machaut

  2. Francesco Landini

  3. Johannes Ciconia

  4. Philippe de Vitry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Philippe de Vitry is considered to be the founder of the Ars Nova. He was a French composer, theorist, and poet who wrote a number of important treatises on music.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the composer who is considered to be the greatest master of the Ars Nova?

  1. Guillaume de Machaut

  2. Francesco Landini

  3. Johannes Ciconia

  4. Philippe de Vitry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Guillaume de Machaut is considered to be the greatest master of the Ars Nova. He was a French composer, poet, and musician who wrote a number of important works, including the Messe de Nostre Dame, the first complete polyphonic setting of the Ordinary of the Mass.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the composer who is considered to be the founder of the Ars Subtilior?

  1. Guillaume de Machaut

  2. Francesco Landini

  3. Johannes Ciconia

  4. Philippe de Vitry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Johannes Ciconia is considered to be the founder of the Ars Subtilior. He was a Flemish composer who wrote a number of important works, including the motet Sus un' alta rivera.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the composer who is considered to be the greatest master of the Ars Subtilior?

  1. Guillaume de Machaut

  2. Francesco Landini

  3. Johannes Ciconia

  4. Philippe de Vitry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Francesco Landini is considered to be the greatest master of the Ars Subtilior. He was an Italian composer, organist, and poet who wrote a number of important works, including the motet Questa fanciulla.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the composer who is considered to be the founder of the Ars Perfecta?

  1. Guillaume de Machaut

  2. Francesco Landini

  3. Johannes Ciconia

  4. Philippe de Vitry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

Guillaume Dufay is considered to be the founder of the Ars Perfecta. He was a French composer who wrote a number of important works, including the motet Nuper rosarum flores.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the composer who is considered to be the greatest master of the Ars Perfecta?

  1. Guillaume de Machaut

  2. Francesco Landini

  3. Johannes Ciconia

  4. Philippe de Vitry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

Josquin des Prez is considered to be the greatest master of the Ars Perfecta. He was a Franco-Flemish composer who wrote a number of important works, including the motet Ave Maria...virgo serena.

Multiple choice

Which Expressionist composer is known for his atonal and dissonant music?

  1. Arnold Schoenberg

  2. Igor Stravinsky

  3. Béla Bartók

  4. Alban Berg
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Arnold Schoenberg is a prominent Expressionist composer known for his innovative and dissonant musical style.

Multiple choice

Who composed the critically acclaimed soundtrack for the game (\LaTeX) (\text{Journey}), known for its emotional and evocative melodies?

  1. Austin Wintory

  2. Hans Zimmer

  3. Trent Reznor

  4. Gustavo Santaolalla
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Austin Wintory created the enchanting soundtrack for (\LaTeX) (\text{Journey}), which perfectly complements the game's breathtaking visuals and emotional narrative.

Multiple choice

Which composer primarily worked on the soundtracks for Pixar's early films, including (Toy\ Story) and (A\ Bug's\ Life)?

  1. Randy Newman

  2. Thomas Newman

  3. Michael Giacchino

  4. John Powell
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Randy Newman composed the soundtracks for (Toy\ Story), (A\ Bug's\ Life), and (Monsters,\ Inc.).

Multiple choice

Who composed the soundtrack for (The\ Incredibles)?

  1. Michael Giacchino

  2. John Powell

  3. Thomas Newman

  4. Randy Newman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Michael Giacchino composed the soundtrack for (The\ Incredibles).

Multiple choice

Who composed the soundtrack for (WALL-E)?

  1. Thomas Newman

  2. Michael Giacchino

  3. John Powell

  4. Randy Newman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Thomas Newman composed the soundtrack for (WALL-E).