Perotin Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. Perotin, also known as Perotin the Great, was a prominent composer associated with which major musical school in medieval Paris?
A. Ars nova school
B. Notre Dame school
C. Burgundian school
D. Florentine school
Answer: B. Notre Dame school
Q2. In what approximate time period was Perotin active as a composer?
A. Mid-11th century
B. Late 12th to early 13th century
C. Mid-14th century
D. Late 15th century
Answer: B. Late 12th to early 13th century
Q3. Perotin is believed to have worked primarily at which famous Parisian cathedral?
A. Chartres Cathedral
B. Reims Cathedral
C. Notre-Dame Cathedral
D. Rouen Cathedral
Answer: C. Notre-Dame Cathedral
Q4. What nickname was given to Perotin by the theorist Anonymous IV, highlighting his compositional expertise?
A. Magister Petronius
B. Magnus librettus
C. Perotinus minor
D. Discantor primus
Answer: A. Magister Petronius
Q5. Perotin’s music is a key example of which broader medieval musical style that emphasized structured polyphony?
A. Ars subtilior
B. Ars antiqua
C. Gregorian chant
D. Troping
Answer: B. Ars antiqua
Q6. Prior to Perotin, most religious music in the 12th century was in what form of polyphony?
A. Two-part organum
B. Three-part motet
C. Four-part conductus
D. Monophonic sequence
Answer: A. Two-part organum
Q7. What revolutionary aspect did Perotin introduce to Western music with works like his organa?
A. Monophonic melodies
B. Polyphony in four parts
C. Instrumental accompaniment
D. Secular love songs
Answer: B. Polyphony in four parts
Q8. In Perotin’s organa, what role does the tenor voice typically play?
A. A fast ornamental line
B. A rhythmic percussion pattern
C. A sustained liturgical chant
D. A solo improvisational part
Answer: C. A sustained liturgical chant
Q9. Which of the following best describes the upper voices in Perotin’s four-part organa?
A. Slow and chant-like
B. Highly decorative and vocalized
C. Strictly monophonic
D. Limited to two notes per phrase
Answer: B. Highly decorative and vocalized
Q10. Perotin revised and expanded the Magnus liber organi, a collection originally compiled by which predecessor?
A. Hildegard of Bingen
B. Guillaume de Machaut
C. Leonin
D. Philippe de Vitry
Answer: C. Leonin
Q11. What is the primary form of Perotin’s compositions mentioned by Anonymous IV?
A. Organa
B. Madrigals
C. Motets
D. Rondeaus
Answer: A. Organa
Q12. Perotin pioneered which specific type of organum featuring three independent voices?
A. Organum duplum
B. Organum triplum
C. Organum purum
D. Organum quadruplum
Answer: B. Organum triplum
Q13. Which of Perotin’s works is a four-part organum composed for Christmas 1198?
A. Sederunt principes
B. Beata viscera
C. Viderunt omnes
D. Alleluia Nativitas
Answer: C. Viderunt omnes
Q14. For which liturgical occasion was Perotin’s four-part organum Sederunt principes likely composed?
A. Easter Vigil
B. Feast of St. Stephen
C. Pentecost
D. All Saints’ Day
Answer: B. Feast of St. Stephen
Q15. Anonymous IV attributes which three-voice alleluia to Perotin?
A. Alleluia Posui adiutorium
B. Alleluia Virga Jesse
C. Alleluia Justus germinabit
D. Alleluia Dulcissima avium
Answer: A. Alleluia Posui adiutorium
Q16. What is the monophonic conductus style work attributed to Perotin?
A. Dum sigillum summi Patris
B. Beata viscera
C. Mors
D. Lutus
Answer: B. Beata viscera
Q17. Perotin added sections known as clausulae to organa, which are characterized by what feature?
A. Strict metered rhythmic patterns
B. Free-flowing improvisation
C. Unaccompanied solo chant
D. Harmonic dissonance
Answer: A. Strict metered rhythmic patterns
Q18. Which unifying device did Perotin develop, influencing later contrapuntal practices like those in Bach?
A. Pedal point
B. Melodic imitation
C. Ground bass
D. Fugal entry
Answer: B. Melodic imitation
Q19. Perotin’s organa often featured modal rhythm based on what system?
A. Rhythmic modes
B. Free neumes
C. Binary meter
D. Ternary form
Answer: A. Rhythmic modes
Q20. Which modern minimalist composer has cited Perotin’s repetitive structures as an influence?
A. Philip Glass
B. John Adams
C. Steve Reich
D. Arvo Part
Answer: C. Steve Reich
Q21. In Perotin’s discant style, how do the upper voices relate to the tenor?
A. In parallel motion
B. In rhythmic counterpoint
C. In unison harmony
D. In free rubato
Answer: B. In rhythmic counterpoint
Q22. Perotin’s two-part work Dum sigillum summi Patris is an example of what form?
A. Conductus
B. Organum duplum
C. Motet
D. Sequence
Answer: A. Conductus
Q23. What edict from Bishop Odo of Sully in the late 12th century indirectly references Perotin’s innovations?
A. Ban on secular music
B. Allowance for triplum and quadruplum
C. Requirement for monophony
D. Standardization of chants
Answer: B. Allowance for triplum and quadruplum
Q24. Perotin collaborated with which poet on the conductus Beata viscera?
A. Philip the Chancellor
B. Adam de la Halle
C. Thibaut de Champagne
D. Walter of Châtillon
Answer: A. Philip the Chancellor
Q25. In Perotin’s large-scale works, what creates a sense of tonal design?
A. Frequent key changes
B. Massive pedal points and harmonic swings
C. Rapid tempo shifts
D. Solo instrumental breaks
Answer: B. Massive pedal points and harmonic swings