History Quiz: Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky
1. What was Tchaikovsky’s greatest contribution to the world of dance music?
2. The Nutcracker was unconventional for its time because:
A) The lack of dancing in Act I
B) The use of children in leading roles
C) It didn’t have an ending plot resolution
D) All of the above
3. True or False: The flow of self-emotion that can be heardand felt through his orchestrations was entirely new toRussian music of that era.
4. Tchaikovsky was chosen to conduct the inaugural concertfor the opening of what American music institution in 1891?
5. Tchaikovsky was the first composer to use the ____an instrument he discovered in Paris while writing TheNutcracker that became the tinkling sound for the ______.
6. While there are now many versions of The Nutcracker,what one element of the original ballet still remains intact inmost reproductions and why?
7. In addition to his three ballets, he also created a scoreof operas, concertos, symphonies, and chamber music.Name three of his most recognizable works.
BONUS. Name a famous work that Balanchine later createdto one of Tchaikovsky’s pieces of music, not originallyintended for ballet.
ANSWER KEY1.He broke the mold of the relationship between music and dance; the ballet’s score no longer served as background music to the dance.; 2. D; 3. True; 4. NewYork’s Carnegie Hall; 5. Celesta; Sugar Plum Fairy; 6. Tchaikovsky’s original score: It’s a perfect score for the story of the ballet and tampering with it would breakthe intended flow.; 7. Eugene Onegin, 1812 Overture, Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and Symphony No. 6; the Pathetique; BONUS: Suite No. 4, Op. 61 inMozartiana; Suite No. 3 for Orchestra in Theme and Variations; and Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 75 in Allegro Brillante.
Image of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, by New York City Ballet. Photo by Paul Kolnick, courtesy of New York City Ballet
