The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book is best known for music for which instrument family?

• A. Keyboard instruments such as virginal and organ
• B. Violins and violas
• C. Modern piano
• D. Flute and recorder

Answer: (A)

This item tests knowledge of the instrument family associated with an important early English music collection. The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book is a major source of keyboard music from late Renaissance England, compiled for keyboard players and, in particular, for the virginal, a small harpsichord-like instrument. The repertoire centers on names and genres suited to keyboard performance—fantasias, dances, and preludes—showing off intricate keyboard textures and ornaments. It isn’t about strings, winds, or the modern piano (which came later), so the best fit is music for keyboard instruments, especially virginals and related keyboard family instruments.