Johannes Brahms Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. In which year was Johannes Brahms born?
A. 1823
B. 1833
C. 1843
D. 1853
Answer: B. 1833
Q2. In which German city was Johannes Brahms born?
A. Hamburg
B. Leipzig
C. Berlin
D. Vienna
Answer: A. Hamburg
Q3. What was Brahms’ primary instrument as a performer?
A. Violin
B. Piano
C. Cello
D. Clarinet
Answer: B. Piano
Q4. Which musical period is Johannes Brahms most closely associated with?
A. Baroque
B. Classical
C. Romantic
D. Modern
Answer: C. Romantic
Q5. Which of the following composers was a significant mentor and friend to Brahms?
A. Ludwig van Beethoven
B. Robert Schumann
C. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
D. Richard Wagner
Answer: B. Robert Schumann
Q6. What is the title of Brahms’ first symphony, often compared to Beethoven’s works?
A. Pastoral Symphony
B. Eroica Symphony
C. Beethoven’s Tenth
D. Tragic Symphony
Answer: C. Beethoven’s Tenth
Q7. How many symphonies did Johannes Brahms compose?
A. Two
B. Four
C. Six
D. Nine
Answer: B. Four
Q8. Which of Brahms’ works is a large-scale choral composition based on biblical texts?
A. A German Requiem
B. Academic Festival Overture
C. Hungarian Dances
D. Piano Concerto No. 1
Answer: A. A German Requiem
Q9. Brahms’ “Hungarian Dances” were originally composed for which instrumentation?
A. Full orchestra
B. Piano four hands
C. String quartet
D. Solo violin
Answer: B. Piano four hands
Q10. Which of the following is a famous set of piano variations by Brahms?
A. Variations on a Theme by Haydn
B. Goldberg Variations
C. Diabelli Variations
D. Rhapsody in Blue
Answer: A. Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Q11. In which city did Brahms spend much of his professional life and compose many of his major works?
A. Munich
B. Vienna
C. Dresden
D. Bonn
Answer: B. Vienna
Q12. What is the key signature of Brahms’ Symphony No. 1?
A. C minor
B. D major
C. E-flat major
D. G minor
Answer: A. C minor
Q13. Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture” was composed as a gesture of gratitude to which institution?
A. University of Vienna
B. University of Breslau
C. Leipzig Conservatory
D. Berlin Philharmonic
Answer: B. University of Breslau
Q14. Which of Brahms’ chamber music works is known as the “Clarinet Trio”?
A. Opus 11
B. Opus 40
C. Opus 114
D. Opus 120
Answer: C. Opus 114
Q15. What is the common nickname for Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F major?
A. Heroic
B. None (no nickname)
C. Choral
D. Pastoral
Answer: B. None (no nickname)
Q16. Which of the following composers did Brahms have a well-documented rivalry with?
A. Richard Wagner
B. Franz Liszt
C. Felix Mendelssohn
D. Gustav Mahler
Answer: A. Richard Wagner
Q17. For which instrument did Brahms compose two sonatas, Opus 120, late in his career?
A. Violin
B. Clarinet
C. Flute
D. Oboe
Answer: B. Clarinet
Q18. What is the title of Brahms’ famous lullaby, often called “Wiegenlied”?
A. Lullaby, Opus 49, No. 4
B. Cradle Song, Opus 60
C. Dream Waltz, Opus 39
D. Sleepy Tune, Opus 25
Answer: A. Lullaby, Opus 49, No. 4
Q19. Which of Brahms’ symphonies features a notable passacaglia in its final movement?
A. Symphony No. 1
B. Symphony No. 2
C. Symphony No. 3
D. Symphony No. 4
Answer: D. Symphony No. 4
Q20. What was Brahms’ profession before he became a full-time composer?
A. Music teacher
B. Pianist and conductor
C. Music critic
D. Violinist in an orchestra
Answer: B. Pianist and conductor
Q21. Which of the following is NOT a piano work by Brahms?
A. Rhapsodies, Opus 79
B. Intermezzi, Opus 117
C. Ballades, Opus 10
D. Moonlight Sonata
Answer: D. Moonlight Sonata
Q22. Which composer’s music did Brahms champion and edit for publication?
A. Franz Schubert
B. Johann Sebastian Bach
C. George Frideric Handel
D. Antonio Vivaldi
Answer: A. Franz Schubert
Q23. What is the key of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2?
A. D minor
B. B-flat major
C. C major
D. E minor
Answer: B. B-flat major
Q24. Which of Brahms’ works was composed as a companion piece to the “Academic Festival Overture”?
A. Tragic Overture
B. Variations on a Theme by Haydn
C. Hungarian Dances
D. A German Requiem
Answer: A. Tragic Overture
Q25. What is the structure of Brahms’ “A German Requiem”?
A. Three movements
B. Five movements
C. Seven movements
D. Nine movements
Answer: C. Seven movements