Riddle #5

[xvimbi]

Let me see if I understand this correctly. If we had an hypothetical birth date of 1230 and a death date of 1315, there would be a total of three different numbers between them (2 - 0 - 5). If this is what you mean, then the answer is no.

No, what I meant was, if we have a hypothetical birth date of 1200 and a death date of 1220, there are only the numbers 1,2,0 in there, so there are only three different numbers used to write those dates. Jeez, I got to ask less ambiguous questions.

Be patient with us, I'm trying to hone in on it.

[bernhard]

No, what I meant was, if we have a hypothetical birth date of 1200 and a death date of 1220, there are only the numbers 1,2,0 in there, so there are only three different numbers used to write those dates. Jeez, I got to ask less ambiguous questions.

Be patient with us, I'm trying to hone in on it.

This being the case, the answer is still no. There are 5 different digits being used to write both years.

(5/20)

[xvimbi]

Alright: Was the father of our mystery composer a well-known architect?

Hihi, I'll make you read up on him, but I guess you have plenty of material available, if not even in your head.

[bernhard]

Alright: Was the father of our mystery composer a well-known architect?

Hihi, I'll make you read up on him, but I guess you have plenty of material available, if not even in your head.

No, the composer's father was a (prosperous) tradesman.

(5/21)
It is almost as much fun trying to guess who you are thinking of. (Which composer had an architect for a father?)

[Rob47]

Is the composer's country of origin not Engalnd?

[bernhard]

Is the composer's country of origin not Engalnd?

No, he was not born in England. But his ancestors were Scottish and Irish.

(5/22)

[Stolzing]

Edward MacDowell:  To a Wild Rose?

[Egghead]

Are the composer's date of birth and death in the same century?

[bernhard]

Edward MacDowell:  To a Wild Rose?

:DWell done Stolzing! You win! The thread is yours.

Edward Alexander MacDowell (1860 - 1908 )

He had a routine of composing everyday. Most of his work ended up in the bin. So it was with "To a wild Rose". Fortunately, Mrs. MacDowel (who also played the piano) saw the piece in the bin, and saved it.

[bernhard]

Are the composer's date of birth and death in the same century?

No, different centuries, but you got here too late

[xvimbi]

He had a routine of composing everyday. Most of his work ended up in the bin. So it was with "To a wild Rose". Fortunately, Mrs. MacDowel (who also played the piano) saw the piece in the bin, and saved it.

Congratulations! That riddle left me completely in the dark. The composer whose father was an architect is Percey Grainger.

[Stolzing]

ok  

This is a very well known piece and probably this composer's only popularly known piece today.

[bernhard]

Is the piece for piano-solo?

[Stolzing]

Originally, no, but it's commonly played that way.

[bernhard]

Is the composer European?

[Stolzing]

No.

[bernhard]

Is the composer American?

[Stolzing]

Yes.

[rph108]

Is the composer male?

[Stolzing]

Yes.

[Antnee]

Is it Rapsody in Blue by Gershwin??

[Stolzing]

Sorry, no.  

[bernhard]

Is he still alive?

[Stolzing]

No.

[rph108]

Was the composer a well known pianist?

[Stolzing]

He was a performer, but it's really his work that is famous, not him as a pianist.  So, no.

*edited for clarity*

[bernhard]

Was the piece originally for another instrument solo (as opposed to an orchestra)?

[Stolzing]

No, it was composed for piano + other instruments (not necessarily an orchestra ).

And just so you dont think I'm messing this up somehow, since this should all be true if I havent:
There's no vocals/lyrics.
He was born in America (and died there).

And this is indeed well known, not just among pianists.

[Antnee]

Is the tune well known along with the name??
So in other words if you played it, would they say, "Hey the name of that piece is"... or would they just recognize the melody...

[Stolzing]

The name is well known, but maybe less so than the melody.  But if you said the name of the piece, most people would be able to hum the tune.

[amanfang]

Is it considered classical, or is it more folk song?

[Stolzing]

It's not classical.

[xvimbi]

Did the composer die of a heart attack?

[Stolzing]

Yes.    err...  

[xvimbi]

Was the composer born in San Francisco?

[Stolzing]

Yes.

[xvimbi]

The composer is Vince Guaraldi
The piece is called "Linus and Lucie", also known as "The Charlie Brown Theme"

[Stolzing]

Yep, you got it.  Linus and Lucy written for piano drums & bass (performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio).  Good job  

[xvimbi]

Actually, my girlfriend got it. I ran all the clues by her, and she blurted it out "Oh, that must be the Charlie Brown Theme!"

[edited]

Just to make sure, the following statement is the Mystery Statement for the new riddle:

This one is not for the fainthearted...

[bernhard]

Actually, my girlfriend got it. I ran all the clues by her, and she blurted it out "Oh, that must be the Charlie Brown Theme!"

[edited]

Just to make sure, the following statement is the Mystery Statement for the new riddle:

This one is not for the fainthearted...

Is it a piece that only a supervirtuoso can play?

[xvimbi]

Is it a piece that only a supervirtuoso can play?

One doesn't have to be a super-virtuoso, but it is pretty difficult.

(0.5/1)

[Rob47]

If Sigismond Thalberg is "the best", would the composer of the work you're thinking of be "the only"?

[xvimbi]

If Sigismond Thalberg is "the best", would the composer of the work you're thinking of be "the only"?

I am not sure if I get your question, but the composer was indeed pretty good. However, he was not always able to play his own compositions (at least not without taking breaks).

[amanfang]

Is this piece by a Russian composer?

[xvimbi]

Is this piece by a Russian composer?

No

[Rob47]

Sorry, I just meant to ask if it was Liszt in a cryptic sort of way but its ok....I think I know what it is despite theres nothing here except one small clue which triggered something in my head.

Is the composer French?

Wait dont answer that....I'm going to pull a Bernhard here and just guess the entire thing. Is it Le Gibet from Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit??

[xvimbi]

Sorry, I just meant to ask if it was Liszt in a cryptic sort of way but its ok....I think I know what it is despite theres nothing here except one small clue which triggered something in my head.

That's what I figured you meant. But since your question was too cryptic to warrant a "yes" or "no" answer, I answered it in a similarly cryptic way...

I'll ignore the rest then, for the moment.

[Rob47]

Soooo is it by a French composer?

[xvimbi]

Soooo is it by a French composer?

Ok, so I won't ignore your question then.

No, the composer was not French.

[bernhard]

Is the composer German?