Question

which instrumental ensemble consists of strings and woodwinds?
erhuang
wenchang
xipi
wuchang

19 multiple choice 1 point
which is the lowest voice of the string quartet?
lute
viola da gamba
cello
viola

20 multiple choice 1 point
which percussion instrument was common in the symphony during haydns time?
crash cymbals
snare drum
timpani
wood blocks

Explanation:

Identify Peking Opera ensemble types

The first question asks: "Which instrumental ensemble consists of strings and woodwinds?" in the context of Peking Opera (Beijing Opera) musical ensembles.

• Peking Opera instrumental music is performed by the jingxi orchestra, which is divided into two main ensembles: the wenchang (civil/melodic section) and the wuchang (military/percussion section).
• The wenchang (civil ensemble) features melodic string and wind instruments (such as the jinghu, erhu, yueqin, and suona) to accompany singing.
• The wuchang (military ensemble) consists primarily of percussion instruments (drums, gongs, cymbals) to provide rhythm and sound effects.
• Erhuang and xipi are the two primary vocal/melodic modes (styles of music) rather than ensembles.
• Therefore, the ensemble consisting of strings and woodwinds is wenchang.

Determine the lowest voice of the string quartet

The second question (Question 19) asks: "Which is the lowest voice of the string quartet?"

• Applying our knowledge of the Classical String Quartet Structure, a standard string quartet consists of four string instruments: two violins, one viola, and one cello.
• The pitch ranges of these instruments from highest to lowest are: Violin (highest/soprano), Viola (middle/alto), and Cello (lowest/bass).
• The lute and viola da gamba are not standard members of the classical string quartet.
• Therefore, the cello is the lowest voice of the string quartet.

Identify common percussion in Haydn's time

The third question (Question 20) asks: "Which percussion instrument was common in the symphony during Haydn's time?"

• During the Classical era (the time of Franz Joseph Haydn), the standard classical orchestra had a very limited percussion section.
• The only percussion instrument regularly included in the classical symphony orchestra was the timpani (kettledrums), typically played in pairs tuned to the tonic and dominant of the key.
• Other percussion instruments like crash cymbals, snare drums, and wood blocks were not part of the standard symphonic palette during this period, except occasionally in "Turkish music" novelty pieces.
• Therefore, the correct instrument is timpani.

Answer:

Question 1

• (A) erhuang
• (B) wenchang (Correct answer)
• (C) xipi
• (D) wuchang

Question 19

• (A) lute
• (B) viola da gamba
• (C) cello (Correct answer)
• (D) viola

Question 20

• (A) crash cymbals
• (B) snare drum
• (C) timpani (Correct answer)
• (D) wood blocks