At the 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony, Láng Lǎng performed the fourth movement of Yīn Chéngzōng and Chu Wanghua’s piano concerto arrangement of this choral piece. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this piece allegedly written in six days after its composer read a patriotic poem by Guāng Wèirán. This piece’s first movement opens with a male speaker extolling the strength and bravery of boatmen.
ANSWER: Yellow River Cantata [accept Huánghé Dàhéchàng]
[10e] The Yellow River Cantata was composed by Xiǎn Xīnghǎi, a composer from this country also home to Láng Lǎng.
ANSWER: China [or People’s Republic of China; or PRC; or Zhōngguó; or Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó; reject “Republic of China”]
[10m] Xiǎn studied composition at the Paris Conservatory under this composer. A jaunty bassoon melody in 3/8 opens the main theme of a tone poem by this composer subtitled “Scherzo after a ballad by Goethe.”
ANSWER: Paul Dukas [or Paul Abraham Dukas] (The tone poem is The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.)
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