General Awareness · History

Music History and Composers

3,808 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

Which jazz standard was composed by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn?

  1. A) Satin Doll

  2. B) Take Five

  3. C) My Funny Valentine

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

Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn collaborated on many jazz classics, including 'Satin Doll', 'Take Five', and 'My Funny Valentine'.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the lyrics for the jazz classic 'Summertime'?

  1. A) George Gershwin

  2. B) DuBose Heyward

  3. C) Ira Gershwin

  4. D) Dorothy Heyward
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

DuBose Heyward wrote the lyrics for 'Summertime', which was originally featured in the opera 'Porgy and Bess'.

Multiple choice

Which jazz standard was written by Thelonious Monk?

  1. A) 'Blue Monk'

  2. B) 'Round Midnight'

  3. C) 'Straight, No Chaser'

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

Thelonious Monk composed all of the jazz standards mentioned: 'Blue Monk', 'Round Midnight', and 'Straight, No Chaser'.

Multiple choice

Which jazz song is known for its distinctive bassline played by Charles Mingus?

  1. A) 'Moanin''

  2. B) 'Straight, No Chaser'

  3. C) 'All Blues'

  4. D) 'So What'
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Charles Mingus' bassline in 'Moanin'' is considered one of the most iconic and recognizable basslines in jazz.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the lyrics for the jazz standard 'Autumn Leaves'?

  1. A) Johnny Mercer

  2. B) Jacques Prévert

  3. C) Joseph Kosma

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

Johnny Mercer, Jacques Prévert, and Joseph Kosma collaborated on the lyrics for 'Autumn Leaves', which was originally a French song titled 'Les Feuilles Mortes'.

Multiple choice

Who is the author of a musical work?

  1. The composer

  2. The lyricist

  3. The arranger

  4. The performer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The author of a musical work is the person who creates the melody, harmony, and rhythm of the piece.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Rick Rubin in 1984?

  1. Def Jam Recordings

  2. Motown Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Sub Pop Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Def Jam Recordings was founded by Rick Rubin in 1984 in New York City.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in 1986?

  1. Sub Pop Records

  2. Motown Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Def Jam Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sub Pop Records was founded by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in 1986 in Seattle, Washington.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Jello Biafra and Eric Boucher in 1979?

  1. Alternative Tentacles

  2. Motown Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Def Jam Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Alternative Tentacles was founded by Jello Biafra and Eric Boucher in 1979 in San Francisco, California.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore in 1980?

  1. SST Records

  2. Motown Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Def Jam Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

SST Records was founded by Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore in 1980 in Hermosa Beach, California.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Mike Watt and D. Boon in 1980?

  1. SST Records

  2. Minutemen Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Def Jam Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Minutemen Records was founded by Mike Watt and D. Boon in 1980 in San Pedro, California.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Ian Svenonius in 1991?

  1. Kill Rock Stars

  2. Motown Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Def Jam Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kill Rock Stars was founded by Ian Svenonius in 1991 in Olympia, Washington.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Kathleen Hanna in 1992?

  1. Kill Rock Stars

  2. Motown Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Riot Grrrl Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Riot Grrrl Records was founded by Kathleen Hanna in 1992 in Olympia, Washington.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Merge Records in 1989?

  1. Merge Records

  2. Motown Records

  3. Atlantic Records

  4. Def Jam Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Merge Records was founded in 1989 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Matador Records in 1989?

  1. Merge Records

  2. Motown Records

  3. Matador Records

  4. Def Jam Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Matador Records was founded in 1989 in New York City.