A Passionate Musician

It so happened that Lucy, who found daily life rather chaotic, entered a more solid world when she opened the piano. She was then no longer either deferential or patronizing; no longer either a rebel or a slave. The kingdom of music is not the kingdom of this world; it will accept those whom breeding and intellect and culture have alike rejected. The commonplace person begins to play, and shoots into the empyrean without effort, whilst we look up, marveling how he has escaped us, and thinking how we could worship him and love him, would he but translate his visions into human actions. Perhaps he cannot: certainly he does not, or does so very seldom. Lucy had done so never.

She was no dazzling executante, nor was she the passionate young lady, who performs so tragically on a summer's evening with the window open. Passion was there, but it could not be easily labeled. And she was tragical only in the sense that she was great, for she loved to play on the side of Victory. Victory of what and over what – that is more than the words of daily life can tell us. But that some sonatas of Beethoven are written tragic no one can gainsay; yet they can triumph or despair as the player decides, and Lucy had decided that they should triumph.

A very wet afternoon at the Pension Bertolini permitted her to do the thing she really liked, and after lunch she opened the little draped piano. A few people lingered round and praised her playing, but finding that she made no reply, dispersed to their rooms to write up their diaries or to sleep. She took no notice of Mr. Emerson looking for his son, nor of Miss Bartlett looking for Miss Lavish, nor Miss Lavish looking for her book. Like every true performer, she was intoxicated by the mere feel of the notes.

Mr. Beebe, sitting unnoticed in the window, pondered over this illogical element in Lucy Honeychurch, and recalled the occasion at Tunbridge Wells when he had discovered it. It was at one of those entertainments where the upper classes entertain the lower. The seats were filled with a respectful audience, and the ladies and gentlemen of the parish, under the auspices of their vicar, sang, or recited, or imitated the drawing of a champagne cork. Among the promised items was "Miss Honeychurch. Piano. Beethoven", and Mr. Beebe was wondering whether it would be "Adelaida", or the march of "The Ruins of Athens", when his composure was disturbed by the opening bars of Opus III. He was in suspense all through the introduction, for not until the pace quickens does one know what the performer intends. With the roar of the opening theme he knew that things were going extraordinarily; in the chords that herald the conclusion he heard the hammer strokes of victory. He was glad that she only played the first movement, for he could have paid no attention to the winding intricacies of the measure of nine-sixteen. The audience clapped, no less respectful. It was Mr. Beebe who started the stamping; it was all that one could do.

"Who is she?" he asked the vicar afterwards.

"Cousin of one of my parishioners. I do not consider her choice of a piece happy. Beethoven is so usually simple and direct in his appeal that it is sheer perversity to choose a thing like that, which, if anything, disturbs."

When he was introduced, Mr. Beebe realized that Miss Honeychurch, disjoined from her music-stool, was only a young lady with a very pretty, pale, underdeveloped face. She loved going to concerts, she loved stopping with her cousin, she loved iced coffee and meringues. But before he left Tunbridge Wells he made a remark to the vicar, which he now made to Lucy herself when she closed the little piano and moved dreamily towards him.

"If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays, it will be very exciting – both for us and for her."

3. Read the text again and choose the correct variant to answer the questions.

1. In the first paragraph we are told that

a) one needs to reject worldly pleasures to truly develop musical talent.

b) music is sometimes regarded as a substitute for education.

c) there is often a mismatch between great musical talent and ordinary life.

d) it is amazing how great an effect music tends to have on our lives.

2. Lucy's piano playing

a) displayed a mixture of strong feelings.

b) tended to be rather melodramatic.

c) failed to capture the tragic nature of some music.

d) was marred by some inaccuracies.

3. When she played at the Pension Bertolini, Lucy

a) wished she could play better.

b) asked to be left alone.

c) resented being interrupted.

d) was engrossed in the music.

4. What did Mr. Beebe realize at the entertainment he remembers at Tunbridge Wells?

a) That the vicar had vetted the contributions.

b) That Lucy had a special musical talent.

c) That Lucy's was the only performance of any value.

d) That the audience were duty-bound to show appreciation.

5. What surprised Mr. Beebe when he heard Lucy at Tunbridge Wells?

a) Lucy's choice of composer.

b) The way the opening theme developed.

c) Lucy's choice of piece.

d) The fact that Lucy didn't play more of the work.

6. What was the vicar's attitude to the music Lucy played?

a) It was daring.

b) It was offensive.

c) It was too difficult.

d) It was unsuitable.

7. What was Mr. Beebe's reaction when he met Lucy?

a) He was pleased that she enjoyed simple pleasures.

b) He was disappointed at how ordinary she was.

c) He felt that she ought to take life more seriously.

d) He was surprised that she wasn't as beautiful as he had imagined.

4. Discuss the following questions.

1. How can you characterize Lucy?

2. Why do you think she preferred classical music to other kinds of music?

3. What functions does classical music perform that other kinds of music don't?

Pop music

Will Young (in the photo) was the winner of a competition on a TV show called Pop Idol.

1. Discuss the following questions.

1. What do you think the contestants had to do?

2. Do you think it was a popular show?

3. What do you think the prize was?

2. Listen to two people talking about the TV show Pop Idol and check your guesses.

3. Here is a summary of the conversation you've just listened to. Read it and find the mistakes if there are any.

Paul Mortimer works for a music magazine. The idea of the competition was to find a new pop star. At first, not many people entered the competition. People liked the show because they could choose the winner. Five judges helped the audience to make a right decision. All the contestants were of a very high standard. The judges were not always friendly and kind. Will Young was very confident throughout the competition. People thought Gareth Gates would win because he had a better voice. 46 people voted for Will Yong. Will's first single was an instant success.

4. Discuss these questions with a partner.

1. What do you think about this way of finding a pop star?

2. Do you think Will Young will continue to be successful?

3. Would you enter a competition on TV like Pop Idol? Why?/Why not?

4. Can you name any other famous musical contests?

5. Do you watch Eurovision?

6. Compare Eurovision and Pop Idol.

7. Why do you think our country is not very successful at this contest?

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 1019