Bolero was composed by which composer?

Prepare for the Academic League Test with our comprehensive study tools. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with detailed hints and explanations. Enhance your performance and gain confidence for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Bolero was composed by which composer?

Explanation:
Bolero hinges on a single relentless rhythm carried as an ostinato, while a simple melody unfolds and the orchestra gradually adds color and sonority. This approach—building intensity not by changing tempo but by layering timbres—is a defining feature of Maurice Ravel’s writing. He composed Bolero in 1928 as a ballet score, and its famous snare-drum ostinato, repeating melody, and steadily growing orchestra create a hypnotic, climactic arc. Debussy is known for impressionistic color but did not write Bolero; Stravinsky and Prokofiev are associated with different rhythmic and melodic approaches and did not compose this piece.

Bolero hinges on a single relentless rhythm carried as an ostinato, while a simple melody unfolds and the orchestra gradually adds color and sonority. This approach—building intensity not by changing tempo but by layering timbres—is a defining feature of Maurice Ravel’s writing. He composed Bolero in 1928 as a ballet score, and its famous snare-drum ostinato, repeating melody, and steadily growing orchestra create a hypnotic, climactic arc. Debussy is known for impressionistic color but did not write Bolero; Stravinsky and Prokofiev are associated with different rhythmic and melodic approaches and did not compose this piece.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy