After four bars of low As and Es, this symphonic poem’s first theme opens with cellos repeatedly playing the 5/8 melody A, C, ascending B, E, A, imitating the sound of oars. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name this brooding symphonic poem that was inspired by a black-and-white print of a Symbolist painting whose center features tall cypress trees.
ANSWER: Isle of the Dead [or Ostrov mortvykh] (The painting is by Arnold Böcklin.)
[10e] Isle of the Dead is by this Russian composer, whose four piano concertos and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini are cornerstones of the repertoire.
ANSWER: Sergei Rachmaninoff [or Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff]
[10h] This German composer wrote an organ-like tone poem based on Isle of the Dead as part of a cycle of pieces based on Arnold Böcklin paintings. This composer also wrote a major set of orchestral variations based on Mozart’s 11th piano sonata.
ANSWER: Max Reger [or Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger]
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