新東方考博英語作文背誦經典

01The Language of Music

A painter hangs his or her finished picture ona wall, and everyone can see it. A composer writes a work, but no one can hearit until it is performed. Professional singers and players have greatresponsibilities, for the composer is utterly dependent on them. A student ofmusic needs as long and as arduous a training to become a performer as amedical student needs to become a doctor. Most training is concerned withtechnique, for musicians have to have the muscular proficiency of an athlete ora ballet dancer. Singers practice breathing every day, as their vocal chordswould be inadequate without controlled muscular support. String players practicemoving the fingers of the left hand up and down, while drawing the bow to andfro with the right arm -- two entirely different movements.Singers andinstrumentalists have to be able to get every note perfectly in tune. Pianistsare spared this particular anxiety, for the notes are already there, waitingfor them, and it is the piano tuner's responsibility to tune the instrument forthem. But they have their own difficulties: the hammers that hit the stringshave to be coaxed not to sound like percussion, and each overlapping tone hasto sound clear.This problem of getting clear texture is one that confrontsstudent conductors: they have to learn to know every note of the music and howit should sound, and they have to aim at controlling these sounds withfanatical but selfless authority.Technique is of no use unless it is combinedwith musical knowledge and understanding. Great artists are those who are sothoroughly at home in the language of music that they can enjoy performingworks written in any century.

01 音樂的語言