Mystery Personages

[shostakovich]

I can't believe my eyes. You are bloody PERFECT!! What a great finale!<P> PETER IS THE KING (of the toughest of Shos tests)!!<P>Rest assured, neither Ludwig or Elvis would have known those answers. <P>Honorable mention to Michael and John for their good work.<BR>Shos

[shostakovich]

I'm still "All Shook Up". To fill in a little (very little), it was Peter Martins that took over. For those "pruriently interested", both Picasso and Balanchine had a series of young women who inspired them, even marrying some, without letting that stop the sequence. They considered these women their "muses", from whom they drew great inspiration. Balanchine molded them and their careers. Picasso immortalized them in his paintings.<P>Story time. A man was always bragging to his co-workers about his wife's looks. They were getting annoyed. One day the man invited a co-worker home for a meal. The others said to him "Great. You can check out just how beautiful she is, and then tell us." Well, he got to the house, and rang the bell. He was greeted by the most awful sight: distorted face, uneven ears, one eye higher than the other, one ear bigger than the other, nose twisted, etc, etc. Later, the husband had a chance to ask what he thought of the little woman. "My God, man, she's the ugliest person I ever saw." The husband, noticeably shaken, finally composed himself, and said calmly "Well, either you like Picasso, or you don't"<P>I bet you saw that one coming, especially within this post. Shos

[John]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peter:<BR><B>... <BR>Well, I think I`ve beaten John to the finish line on this one (sorry John!)....</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Peter:<P>You did it! Fantastic! I bow to the "great one!" I am not worthy to follow in your shadow. <P>Now, see which one of the following is the reason I didn't solve this quiz:<P>1) I figured it out, but wanted you to have a break.<BR>2) I was extremely busy this past week and didn't get a chance to do my homework.<BR>3) I figured it out, posted it, but the "change over" caused my entry to be lost.<BR>4) My rage over the "change over" (see post in John Nowacki's forum) distracted me and I spent my energy on my "commercial manifesto."<P>No matter what the answer is, you are the winner, so I humbly step aside and let you bask in your glory.<P>John<BR>

[Michael]

Well done, Peter. Didn't know where to begin on this one.<P>Michael

[Peter]

Well, John, I plump for your second excuse! Shos, I hope it's not too long before you're back with more brainteasers. Now, please excuse me, gentlemen, while I surround myself with mirrors and bathe in my reflected greatness

[shostakovich]

OK, folks, here's one with no names or dates.<P>This man you know.<BR>Orchestral glow.<P>Part of a group.<BR>Went on to scoop.<P>First sym was normal.<BR>Third was too formal. <P>Opera was best.<BR>Fantasies blessed.<P>Wrote suites galore.<BR>But wait, there's more.<P>Sea pictures, too.<BR>This man's for you.<P>Good luck. Shos

[Peter]

Shos, I believe he also wrote about a place that`s impossible to see?

[Brahmsian]

Rimsky-Korsakov?

[Michael]

How about another clue, Shos? Like his name, for instance.<P>Michael

[Michael]

My last posting came out funny. I was merely expressing bewilderment. I'll just send this again. I wonder is my machine acting up?<BR>Anyway, I still haven't a clue.<BR>Michael

[Peter]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brahmsian:<BR><B>Rimsky-Korsakov?</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Brahmsian,<P>Given the amount of work that Shos puts into these quizzes, was it really necessary to blurt out the answer like that, before most people even had a chance to read it, let alone work it out?? There are no prizes on offer here, you know! Maybe next time, you might think about being a bit subtle with your response, like I hope I was above in hinting at R-K`s The Invisible City of Kitezh.<P>PS. Shos, were those rhyming couplets your own work?!

[shostakovich]

Good work, Peter and Brahmsian. I accept Invisible Cities (and mastercard if you like). I really thought this one would be more challenging than it turned out. Now, for my information, what were the clues that tipped it?<BR>Shos<P>Michael, all I see is a big blue spot where an answer or a pun should be. You weren't using blue language were you?

[John]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shostakovich:<BR><B>OK, folks, here's one with no names or dates....</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Shos:<P>Boy, with the hints from this simple rhyme, it could fit a number of composers; however, I think it's Beethoven. Did I get it?<P>John<P><BR>

[John]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shostakovich:<BR><B>OK, folks, here's one with no names or dates....</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Well, my guess is Beethoven.<P>John<P>

[John]

Shos:<P>I think it's Beethoven. Do you need to see my work?<P>John<BR>

[John]

By the way, folks, the forum has been acting very weird lately. I couldn't see my last postings until I added the third. Sorry about that....<P>John

[shostakovich]

The bulletin board was a real problem in this one, but it seems to be straight now. Yes, the couplets were mine. When there is a next one I'll try to remember to post my e-mail address (shostakovich@beethoven.com, if I forget) in case anyone wants to check a possible answer.<P>John, I know there's a danger that floating clues (not anchored by names or dates) can attach to many composers. I'm not sure you can justify "operas best" for B, or anything to do with fantasies. However, you're welcome to have a whack at matching B to all the clues, either on the board or on e-mail. I admire your tenacity.<BR>Shos

[John]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shostakovich:<BR><B>... However, you're welcome to have a whack at matching B to all the clues, either on the board or on e-mail... </B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Shos:<P>Well, I guess I would have avoided putting anything out there had I been able to read the answers posted. Oh well, maybe next time. Thanks for the quiz!<P>John<BR><p>[This message has been edited by John (edited 03-13-2001).]

[Michael]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shostakovich:<P>Michael, all I see is a big blue spot where an answer or a pun should be. You weren't using blue language were you?[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>I sent two messages and both originally came out blank - which perfectly mirrored my state of mind because I hadn't a clue. I thought it was some obscure composer but it turned out to be the bumble-bee man.<BR>I agree with the idea of not blurting out the answer if you know it. Just add a few more cryptic clues and it adds to the fun. Keep them coming, Shos.<P>Michael<P><BR>

[shostakovich]

This composer hits the spot.<BR>Ten symphonics*, that's a lot.<BR> <BR>Center leader for a while.<BR>Americana was his style.<P>Yankee threesome you should play.<BR>Bible story in ballet.<P>Baseball tale 'round 52.<BR>Wrote a bit for wind band, too.<P>*"symphonies" is what I meant, but the rhythm of "symphonics" was better. (poetic license) I'm not absolutely sure, but I think he wrote only 10. Good luck.<P>shostakovich@beethoven.com, in case you want to guess privately.