偉大的音樂家

湖北 劉德福

本文介紹了四位歷史上偉大的音樂家。

主題語境：著名音樂家 篇幅：282詞 建議用時：5分鐘

1As the saying goes,“Without music, life would be a mistake.”Music is very important in our lives and here are four of the greatest musicians in history.

Ludwig van Beethoven(1770—1827)

2Born in Bonn, Germany, Beethoven never held an official position in Vienna.He supported himself by giving concerts, teaching piano lessons, and the sale of his compositions.The last 30 years of Beethoven's life were filled with a lot of hard times,the first of which was his deafness.Beethoven's music greatly influenced the next generation of musicians.

Johann Sebastian Bach(1685—1750)

3Bach, the father of modern music, was born in Eisenach, Germany.His parents died when he was nine years old, and in 1695 he went to live with his brother Johann Christoph, who was an organist (風琴手) in Ohrdruf.He stayed there until 1700.Seven years later, he moved back to Weimar, where he served as a court (宮廷) organist for nine years.His music greatly influenced classical music.

Frédéric Chopin(1810—1849)

4Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola, Poland.He showed a talent for the piano at a very young age.Chopin began composing when he was still a child, but some of his early works were lost.He gave his first public concert in 1818.Chopin was considered as the leading musician of his time.

Franz Schubert(1797—1828)

5Schubert was born and died in Vienna.Unlike most of his predecessors (前輩),Schubert was not a great performer.He never had much money,but he was very productive.He wrote his first masterpiece when he was only sixteen.However, he died young, before his talents had even been known.

Reading Check

1.Which word can best describe the last 30 years of Beethoven's life?

A.Cozy.B.Tough.C.Poor.D.Successful.

2.What can we know about Bach?

A.He is“the father of classical music”.

B.His later years were full of hardships.

C.His parents passed away when he was young.

D.He showed a talent for the organ at an early age.

3.Whose first public concert was held in 1818?

A.Beethoven's.B.Bach's.

C.Chopin's.D.Schubert's.

Language Study

Useful expressions

productive 多產的

masterpiece 杰作

support oneself by 通過……謀生

give concerts 舉辦音樂會

be filled with a lot of hard times 充滿艱辛

show a talent for the piano 對（彈）鋼琴很有天賦

some of one's early works 某人早期的一些作品