"The Philosopher's Soccer Game"- can you think of an equivalent for classical music?

Question

In a famous Monty Python skit, there is a "Philosopher's Soccer Game" in which they basically all wander around for the length of the game, thinking... until someone (hint) has a Eureka moment. It is very funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8

It got me thinking- what would a game with the composers look like, or opera characters? It can be any sport or game whatsoever, from sports to chess to board games... I know this may be hard, but I hoped someone could get their creative juices flowing.  Those of you who know opera well could probably put me to shame at this.


I'll get things started. I envision an epic game of Axis and Allies, the WWII board game. (Feel free to use it too). The Japanese, with their traditional music, and Wagner (equipped with a ring to rule the world, the Valkyries, and most of the great composers) unleash a classical music war on the world.  Despite a strong force of composers, the French capitulate quickly (led by Saint-Saens, who leaves the performance in a huff). Elgar is left defending England with only Purcell and a handful of other composers at his side, but Britten's knowledge of war helps the English stay afloat.  Meanwhile, Shostakovich bravely defends the Russian legacy, despite the onslaught of the Germans and a repressive dictator who silences many of his compatriots.  Finally, however, Copland and his "commando unit" take the world by storm, destroy the ring and reestablish balance in the world of classical music.

petr b · Accepted Answer

Bach: inventor and filler in of crossword puzzles, replete with anagrams, homonyms, palindromes, etc. --- uses notes instead of words.

Wagner: Wagner plays game of tennis, badminton, or volleyball with Wagner -- neither player is at all interested in making a point or ending the game, but instead is most interested keeping the volley going - the ball in the air as long as possible.

Brahms: Brahms plays Brahms in a game of chess -- strategically planning all moves possible for all the game's pieces at a minimum of 12 steps ahead. Since Brahms is playing Brahms, he is both the winner and the loser.

Robert Moran likened his "Requiem, Chant du Cygne," written for four choirs, each with its own accompanying ensemble, the four groups placed at far distances from each other -- specifically written for performance in a cavernous cathedral with an extraordinary decay time -- as "A game of musical Ping-Pong."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89DS3UxKrcE


Best regards.

Anonymous · Answer

first of all i would love to accept as true with the feedback approximately Shchedrin's ridiculous works, they made me snigger out loud while i first heard them. One of the portions that made me snigger plenty, is the moment motion of Shostakovich's piano trio no.two. The first time i performed by way of it, once we reached the factor in which it breaks into this delightfully playful G fundamental subject, we needed to give up because of how ridiculous it sounds. This subject is preceded via plenty of very problematic layers of quick notes within the string pleasant key, and is quite dissonant. For Shostakovich to only holiday out into this type of smooth subject was once an excessive amount of for me....after which his abrupt difference again. Just some thing i really like approximately Shostakovich...his temper swings in his tune.

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"The Philosopher's Soccer Game"- can you think of an equivalent for classical music?

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